Newsletter: 09/07/2014

Statement

Friends,

Tomorrow I head back to Washington for the start of our September session. It's tough to go back to the other planet known as DC after such a great month of meeting with constituents here in the 14th district, but the House has a lot of work to do.

In the meantime, here are some highlights from this past week in Northeast Ohio:

Preserving the Great Lakes

On Thursday, I joined local and federal officials to announce that the Ashtabula River has been removed from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The cleanup efforts on the Ashtabula River should serve as a model for similar projects around the country. This success story demonstrates why we must ensure that the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative receives the funding it needs. I was pleased to help secure $300 million for GLRI this year and will continue to lead bipartisan efforts to protect the Great Lakes, our greatest economic and environmental resource.

Honoring our Veterans

Our veterans deserve nothing less than our full support and gratitude. As the son of a World War II veteran, one of my greatest honors as an elected representative is being able to assist our military men and women who stood for us and the freedoms we hold dear. It was a pleasure to work with State Representative Marlene Anielski and Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby to ensure that veteran James Swansiger received the awards he earned through his service to our nation.

Investing in Infrastructure

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to announce a finalized Federal Aviation Administration grant of $302,094 through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport to update its master planning documents and conduct a wildlife hazard assessment.

Infrastructure improvements are a win-win: keeping Ohio competitive while boosting our local economy. I was pleased to support the Northeast Ohio Regional Airport and leaders in Ashtabula County in their bid for this DOT grant. These funds will enhance airport safety and allow for continued growth, which is great news for travelers and businesses in the 14th District.

Stay Connected

The House will address many issues in September, including the budget, jobs and the economy, energy, healthcare and more. We will also put more pressure on the Senate to stop stonewalling the more than 350 House-passed bills sitting on Harry Reid's desk and start putting American families first.

As we work on these issues, I want to hear from you. Please be sure to connect with me on social media and let me know what you think.

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