“I’m extraordinarily thankful for the support I’ve received. Our effort to listen and respond to the needs of the people of 18th’s Congressional District continues to resonate.

“We have a long way to go in what is going to be a very tough race, but having nearly one million in the bank puts our campaign in a good position.”

– Rep. Zack Space

I haven’t heard anything about the Republican’s finances, but that pretty much says it all right there.

Now Space is done fact finding and ready to act. He’s introduced the Veterans Disability Fairness Act to insure proper oversight is in place at the VA.

“This shortchanging is insulting to our heroes’ service.  The veterans living in Ohio sacrificed just as much as veterans living elsewhere. There is no reason that a veteran here should receive less than veterans in other states.

“This legislation is an important step in forcing the VA to address these issues and in providing obviously needed oversight.  We can and must bring those states at the bottom of the list closer to parity with those at the top.  Our veterans deserve no less.”

– Rep. Zack Space

According to a press release, Space’s legislation would:

• Require the VA to collect and monitor regional data on disability ratings.
• Require the VA Secretary to conduct reviews and audits of the rating system.
• Require the VA to submit an exhaustive report yearly to Congress to track the progress of the program.
• Require VA raters to take ownership of their ratings by assigning identification codes to all adjudications.  The performance of specific raters will then be evaluated periodically for consistency and accuracy.

The event is open to the public. If you’re interested in going, you can find details below.

WHO: Congressman Zack Space along with various local and state officials

WHAT: Ceremony

WHERE: ABC Manufacturing, 210 13th St., Malta OH 43758

WHEN: Monday, April 7, 2008 1:00 pm Eastern

I’d also say it’s a safe bet (though it’s just my guess) that 20th district Senate candidate Rick Shriver will be there as well, though not to campaign. Shriver is a Morgan County Commissioner and also worked to bring the factory to the area.

Among the highest ranked benefits are:

• an increase in educational oppertunities
• it may attract or retain businesses
• improvements to healthcare by enabling things like home health monitoring and access to electronic health records

I’ve attempted to embed the full results after the break.

Space was also talking about rural broadband with the Newark Advocate recently:

Space said one of his greatest achievements in the 15 months he has served as a Congressman has been the introduction of legislation regarding technology, specifically improving high-speed Internet accessibility in the area, he said.

“I think, in the long term, (Internet access) makes us a much more attractive place to do business,” he said. “What business is going to locate to a place that doesn’t have high-speed Internet?”

Additionally, he said, several significant aspects of the educational and medical fields have become reliant on Internet technology.

Tapping into that resource is a way to increase business and improve quality of life, he said.

Read this doc on Scribd: RENEW Ohio 18: Broadband Focus Group Results

The campaign is looking for help ranging from simply putting a sign up in your yard all the way up to volunteering in an office or coordinating a precinct. Other opportunities include making calls, working on election day, distributing literature, hosting a fundraiser, and walking in parades. If any of these things interest you, I’m sure they’d love the help.

And of course, donations are always needed.

“We have a long and distinguished agricultural heritage in our region, and I am confident that this industry will continue to play a vital role in our economic future. We must continue to find new and innovative ways to expand this staple of our economy.”

“In the United States today, we enjoy the safest, cheapest, most abundant food supply of anywhere in the world, and we owe that to the hard work of our agricultural producers. The ideas generated today will help ensure we are able to expand this necessary industry as we find ways to create jobs for our region.”

– Rep. Zack Space

Space also sent out a column to area newspapers about his view on illegal immigration. You can find it after the jump.

As many of you will remember, I traveled to the US-Mexico border last year to inspect the state of our border security and what I found was shocking. I knew from reports that the border offered little resistance to a determined illegal immigrant, but only after I saw the border first hand did I fully understand how bad things are. The brave men and women who patrol that border must be commended for what they do. Unfortunately, they are not able to do it all.

I returned with some specific plans to alleviate this problem. I signed on to legislation that I felt would go a long way in combating this crisis. This bill, The Secure America Through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act of 2007 (H.R. 4088), would take care of a number of problems we currently face.

First and foremost, we cannot stem the tide of illegal immigrants coming into this county if we do not make significant investments in the security of our border. The SAVE Act will provide 8,000 new Border Patrol agents – reinforcements for the front line of this fight.

Secondly, this bill will diminish the pull that draws many here by greatly reducing the job opportunities that are available for illegal workers. This bill makes mandatory a program of worker verification that is currently voluntary. By utilizing the E-Verify system, employers will be able to quickly prove that the information being provided by a potential worker is accurate. This bill will crack down on fraud and mandate that employers use this system.

Finally, the SAVE Act will dramatically step up interior enforcement to help deal with those who have already broken the law to get here. It increases the capacity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by providing more agents, as well as providing additional training for local and state law enforcement. The SAVE Act will also increase detention capacity and expedite the deportation process.

A number of my colleagues and I are tired of waiting for this vital piece of legislation to come up for a vote. That is why we are demanding that House leadership address this issue and give us an up-or-down vote on the bill. It is my hope that our pressure will bring the SAVE Act up for a vote as quickly as possible so we can begin to deal with this crisis.

Congressman Zack Space

Now, in the face of even more flooding, Rep. Zack Space is calling on Governor Strickland to declare a state of emergency so that relief efforts can officially begin.
I’ve included the press release after the break, as it contains information of use to Space’s constituents who’ve been effected.

SPACE PUSHES FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE

- Calls on Governor Strickland, Army Corps of Engineers, and FEMA to Provide Assistance to Areas of the District Impacted by Recent Flooding -

- Residents May Call Local Army Corps for Information: 330-343-3613 or 866-502-2570 -

WASHINGTON, DC – Deeply concerned by the extend of recent flooding in Eastern and Southern Ohio, Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) today called upon Governor Ted Strickland, urging him to take swift action by declaring impacted counties disaster areas. Space’s office has also been in touch with the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA pushing for this designation, which would bring emergency assistance and funding to help recovery efforts.

“There is little doubt in my mind that we need disaster assistance, but that is unfortunately not my call to make,” Space said. “I am strongly encouraging Governor Strickland to take the steps necessary to get disaster assistance to these affected areas.”

“We all remember how vital disaster assistance was in the wake of the devastating 2005 floods. With entire communities being cut off by floodwaters, serious questions about the local infrastructure, and homes flooding we need all the help we can get,” Space continued.

Congressman Space and his staff have contacted local, state, and federal authorities in an attempt to facilitate the disaster designation process. A request from the Governor is necessary for FEMA to initiate action.

In 2005, FEMA authorized $9.9 million in individual disaster assistance.

For additional information, residents can call Muskingum Area Office Army Corps of Engineers at 330-343-3613 or 866-502-2570 for those outside the Muskingum watershed area.

“The Supreme Court has the opportunity to send a clear and unequivocal message that Americans have an undeniable right to own firearms. There is no legally justifiable reason that the residents of DC – or anywhere else – should be denied their constitutionally protected rights.”

“I once again renew my call to the justices of the Supreme Court to stand up for the principles our Founding Fathers saw fit to include in the Bill of Rights. The Supreme Court has the ability to settle all questions regarding gun ownership.”

– Rep. Zack Space

Space also recently joined several other members of the House in signing an NRA “friend of the court” brief for District of Columbia v. Heller.

“My constituents are crying out for action on the illegal immigration issue. There is no doubt that the illegal immigration problem is placing an undue strain on our public resources and our job market.

“When I traveled to the Mexican border last year, I saw firsthand how easy it is for people to sneak across, and that is completely unacceptable. We need swift and dramatic action to protect both our national security and our job security. I find it difficult to understand the delay.”

– Rep. Zack Space

Law enforcement officials have stated that they don’t believe these letters are actually tied to the bombing, but were sent by an anti-war activist from the Los Angeles area.

On a related note, I’ve already seen some conservative sites rush to blame the anti-war movement as a whole for this. To them I’d like to deliver my traditional response: Have you bombed any abortion clinics lately?

I’m sorry if that offends some of you, but my point is that just because the extremists of a position do something doesn’t mean that the entire group supports it. To allege otherwise is ignorant.

In a recent rating of 2007 House votes, the National Journal found Space to be nearly dead center between the House conservatives and liberals. In fact, he was only two spots away from being in the exact center.

Space made the following remarks on his rating.

“My constituents do not need statistics to prove what they already know – I am their independent voice in Congress. I pride myself in working for the best interests of my district – not a political party – and I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish this Congress.”

“In the 18th Congressional District, people are not looking for a Democrat or a Republican, and they are not looking for an ideologue. They want a moderate, independent, Ohioan who will fight for them every day. I am proud to do that, and I am proud of this ranking.”

– Rep. Zack Space

In more good news for Space, the Cook Political Report has changed their rating of the 18th district from “Lean Democratic” to “Likely Democratic“.

Candidate Zack Space has released a statement (included below) on his overwhelming primary victory today.

The big story today though, is that we finally know who he’ll be running against. It looks like it’s going to be Fred Dailey. It’s definitely not who I would have thought, but I’ll have more on it in the coming days.

SPACE WELCOMES OVERWHELMING VICTORY IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

-Calls This Year’s Election an “Historic Election,” An Opportunity to Advocate for Better Benefits and Health Care for Veterans, Better Health Care, Tougher Immigration Laws —  

New Philadelphia, OH – Affirming Congressman Zack Space’s efforts to change Washington and change the daily lives of his constituents, the Democratic voters of the 18^th Congressional District provided Space an overwhelming victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election.

 

“I am truly overwhelmed by the response of the people of the 18^th Congressional District to my efforts to bring change to Washington and change in the lives on the people of my district,” said Space.  “Since Day One in office, I’ve fought with every ounce of my being to restore the trust of the people in their elected officials.  I’ve led the charge to clean up the House of Representatives and make sure that special interests’ lock on legislation is a thing of the past.  There is still much more to do, but I believe that we have made real progress in providing the transparency necessary to make sure that regular people are heard and that their government responds to them.”

 

“Changing Washington isn’t just symbolic – it’s absolutely critical. Unless we greatly diminish the influence of special interests, we cannot reorder the horrible priorities of past years that have cheated our veterans of the health care they deserve, undercut the efforts of senior citizens to get the health care they deserve, and robbed our students of their ability to get an affordable education without mortgaging their future.  And we must make sure that we have tough immigration policies that do not undercut American workers’ efforts to get jobs.

 

The horrible trade policies of the past have also devastated our working families. These policies have not only taken our workers’ jobs away – they have compromised families’ health care, they have led to a traumatic home mortgage crisis, and, as I’ve seen time and time again sadly, they have deprived these families of the absolute basic necessities such as food.”

 

“The policies of the past must give way to the foresight and vision that will change these people’s lives on a daily basis. A nation’s budget is a blueprint of our priorities, and that’s why we must invest more heavily in our towns and communities, our infrastructure, and our people.  We must prepare our children for the future that lies before them, and we must work with every fiber of our being to bring in new industries and new jobs because nothing changes the fabric of a community like the promise that comes with new opportunities.”

 

“That’s why I’ve worked so hard to improve our economy. When my office receives word of any company even contemplating a move to Ohio, we spring into action, working tirelessly to bring that plant to our communities. I’ve also begun my RENEW OHIO-18 to look, longer-term, at how our region must be prepared to benefit from the new technologies of tomorrow, such as broadband or alternative energy.”

 

“This year is going to be an historic election.  We’re at a crossroads where we’re going to have to determine whether we are going to meet these tough challenges head-on or whether we’re going to fall back on the old tired debates of the past.  I stand ready to have a vigorous debate about how, working together regardless of party, we can produce that future.”

More than 100 people attended the Broadband and Technology Working Group session hosted by U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover.

Friday’s session lasted from 9:30 to noon at Tuscarawas Campus of Kent State University at New Philadelphia.

“It was a great day,” Space said of the first group session of his RENEW Ohio-18 program.

“As with the kickoff breakfast, we continue to be impressed with the turnout, quality and participation involved,” he said.

I regret that I wasn’t able to attend, but at least they had a good turn out.

The other reason for this post is that I just discovered that Space’s meeting isn’t the only thing coming to New Philadelphia that day. Bill Clinton will also be at the KSU branch (several hours later) to hold a rally.