Ohio Valley Politics

Rep. Zack Space held his second Renew Ohio work group today, and this time the topic was agriculture. The event took place in Coshocton and was lead by Adam Sharp from the Ohio Farm Bureau.

“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. Continue Reading »

For the last few weeks I’ve been wondering what Zack Space would be doing to follow up on last years “Connect Appalachia” summits. Would  there be another summit? It turns out the answer is a little complicated.

Early this morning it was announced that there would be an entire series of summits on a variety of topics, including one on rural broadband. The series, titled Renew Ohio 18, will also hold summits on healthcare, agriculture, and alternative energy. Two additional meeting will be held in Zanesville to both start things off and wrap things up.

“As we all know, Ohio has been devastated by the loss of many jobs in recent years.A large number of the lost jobs have been in the manufacturing sector, where unfair trade deals have debilitated our region and our state.  I strongly believe that we must prepare ourselves to capitalize on opportunities for new industries and jobs.”

“I believe strongly that the time has come to undertake this endeavor.  No issue deserves our attention more than preparing ourselves to attract new businesses with the jobs that our residents so greatly deserve.”

– Rep. Zack Space

The full summit schedule can be found below. These events are open to the public, but I don’t have addresses or times for any of them. 

• January 25: RENEW OH-18 Ohio Kickoff, Zanesville, OH
• February 29: RENEW OH-18 Broadband Working Group Meeting, New Philadelphia, OH
• March 21: RENEW OH-18 Agriculture Working Group Meeting, Coshocton, OH
• April 11: RENEW OH-18 Alternative Energy Working Group Meeting, Nelsonville, OH
• April 25: RENEW OH-18 Healthcare Working Group Meeting, Chillicothe, OH
• May 23: RENEW OH-18 Summit, Zanesville, OH

Rep. Zack Space of the 18th district issued the following statement today about President Bush’s recent threat to veto the 2007 Farm Bill.

“President Bush has vetoed legislation that offers hope for a cure to diseases such as diabetes, legislation that would provide health insurance to underprivileged children, legislation that would provide vital water control projects, legislation that would bring our troops home from Iraq, and now Administration officials are threatening to veto programs our farmers and rural communities rely on.  Is there nothing safe from the veto pen?

“This bill is too important to be subject to the Administration’s misguided effort to score a few political points.  This veto threat represents a slap in the face to farmers in Southeastern Ohio.

“I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to continue to work for the best interests of farmers in Ohio and across the United States.  Those of us in Congress will strive to ensure we continue to have the safest, cheapest, most abundant food supply on the planet.”

– Rep. Zack Space