Ohio Valley Politics

With 2007 coming to a close, Rep. Zack Space is taking some time to look back at some of the things he’s helped accomplish this year.

“My work in Congress is really a reflection of the needs of the people of Southeastern Ohio. I’ve reached out to my constituents, heard their concerns, and taken those concerns to Washington where I’ve been able to bring about change on a variety of vital issues.”

– Rep. Zack Space

You can read Space’s list of accomplishment’s after the jump.

• Increased Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Funding for the First Time in 10 Years – Space reversed an effort to gut the ARC by securing a commitment from House leadership on the Floor to restore ARC funding to the previous $65 million level.  The ARC was ultimately funded at $73 million, the first increase in a decade.
• Pushed for Increased Deployment of Rural Broadband – Space’s Connect the Nation Act and broadband initiatives included in the Farm Bill will help encourage companies to develop broadband, particularly in rural areas such as rural Ohio.
• Landed ABC Manufacturing – Space and his staff fought a months-long battle to bring the manufacturing plant to Morgan County, instead of Wisconsin.  Over the next few years, ABC Manufacturing will employ 200 people in good-paying jobs.
• Passed Comprehensive Ethics Reform – On first day of the 110^th Congress, Zack Space’s rule change to ban gifts, travel, and meals from lobbyists passed the House.  This legislation was signed by the President.  He continues to push for an independent board that will help remove political considerations from the ethics review process.
• Demanded Accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs – Space held an investigative hearing into state-by-state disability pay discrepancies, is pushing for a new medical facility in Southeastern Ohio, and introduced legislation to enact the Dole-Shalala Commission recommendations.
• Fought the Epidemic of Illegal Immigration – The SAVE Act, which Space has cosponsored would beef up border security, crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, and increases interior enforcement.
• Created New Opportunities for Rural Head Start Students – Legislation sponsored by Space will ensure that rural Head Start programs have the same advantages that, historically, have gone to Head Start programs in urban areas. 
• Cut Taxes for Middle Class Americans – Among other tax cuts, Space eliminated the “phantom tax” that has kicked Ohio homeowners who have been devastated by the foreclosure crisis. He also voted to protect 880,000 Ohio families from a massive tax increase through the AMT.