Ohio Valley Politics

Charlie Wilson is pretty happy with President Bush’s decision to release $450 million in federal heating assistance for working families and senior citizens. In a press release Wilson made the following remarks:

“I’m relieved that the Bush Administration responded to calls from Congress to release emergency funding under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” Wilson said. “With energy bills going through the roof, that LIHEAP money is critical to helping seniors and working families stay warm this winter.

“I’m proud that Congress and the president could work together on this. This type of bipartisan cooperation means American families win. But there’s more to do. Now we need to work quickly on the major problems of high energy prices and the slowing economy.”

– Rep. Charlie Wilson

According to the release, Ohio has been allocated $25,743,608 in federal assistance money. People wishing to apply for heating assistance should call 1-866-674-6327 to find the nearest place to apply.

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