SHERROD BROWN NEWSLETTER: ENROLLING FOR A NEW HEALTH PLAN

 

  

Enrolling for a New Health Plan 

 In less than two weeks, enrollment begins for the health law’s new insurance marketplace, allowing almost one million Ohioans to become eligible for financial assistance to purchase quality, affordable health insurance. 



Starting October 1, Ohioans without insurance, or those who would like to change their insurance plans, can shop for health insurance coverage at www.healthcare.gov. 



For years, we’ve heard stories of Americans frustrated and failed by our health system. But today, the tide is turning and we are starting to see the health law take effect. 



When this enrollment period begins, more than 916,000 Ohio residents will be eligible for financial assistance to buy insurance that provides quality coverage at a price they can afford. And Ohioans suffering from pre-existing conditions will no longer be denied coverage or charged higher premiums. 



For Ohioans like Robert, a cancer survivor from New Matamoras, the new health law means that insurers cannot turn him away based on his pre-existing condition. For Aaron in Cincinnati, it means not having to choose between tuition and health care. And for Stephen in West Chester, it means being able to feel secure in his retirement.



Health care enrollment marks a milestone for millions of Ohioans – including myself. In 1992, I made a promise that I wouldn’t accept Congressional health insurance until similar coverage was available to all Americans. Today, I can now say that I will be enrolling in the health care marketplace this fall alongside hundreds of thousands of Ohioans.



While the new enrollment period will soon allow all Ohioans to access quality, affordable health coverage, millions of people in our state are already benefiting from provisions in the health care law. 



For example, 97,000 young adults in Ohio are now able to stay on their parents’ insurance until their 26th birthday. We are also closing the ‘donut hole’ for seniors’ prescription drugs – saving Ohio seniors an average of $774 on their medication costs. More than 900,000 Ohioans have received free preventive care, and children are no longer being denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, like asthma, diabetes, and cancer.



For millions across the Buckeye state, the new law will mean less worry and more money in their wallets. And for many Americans, the health insurance marketplace will lower premiums nearly 14 percent more than previously expected.



There is still more work to be done to perfect our nation’s health care system. But on October 1, I will join millions of Ohioans as we take a step towards a future where worry and failed protections will soon become a thing of the past.

Sincerely,



Sherrod Brown
U.S. Senator


RELATED:

How do I apply for Marketplace coverage? (other choices besides the website)

ESOP 20TH ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON ON OCTOBER 16, 2013

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For 20 years Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (“ESOP”) has worked tirelessly to empower people to improve their lives and communities. ESOP’s work over the last two decades to end predatory lending and abusive mortgage servicing and to prevent foreclosures has helped thousands of families across Ohio to stay in their homes and to stabilize neighborhoods.

     We invite you to join us Wednesday, October 16^th for our 20^th Anniversary Luncheon. The theme is “Building Partnerships for Economic Empowerment.” We hope you can join us for this important conversation about how the non-profit, public and private sectors can join forces to help disenfranchised communities move forward from the foreclosure crisis.

Keynote Speaker
Senator Sherrod Brown

     Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information on sponsorships, table and advertising purchases please contact Deonna Kirkpatrick

at 216-361-0718 or dkirkpatrick@esop-cleveland.org.

SENATOR SHERROD BROWN ON PREDATORY OVERDRAFT PRACTICES

 FROM HIS NEWSLETTER

Northeast Ohioans were alerted this week to predatory “overdraft” practices by banks that lead customers to overdraw their checking accounts, causing them to be charged exorbitant penalties. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection, announced new legislation that would protect Ohioans from these practices.

“Banks should play by the rules instead of purposefully ‘reordering’ their costumers’ debit card transactions so that they profit while consumers rack up costly penalties,” Sen. Brown said. “My bill would put a stop to this by empowering the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to crack down on banks that employ predatory practices. It also would allow the CFPB to establish fair guidelines to protect consumers and the banks and credit unions that play fair with their customers.”

According to a recent study by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), some institutions purposefully “reorder” their customers’ debit card transactions in order to maximize their profits at the expense of consumers. Instead of subtracting money from your account in the order that you made purchases for the day, banks will subtract larger purchases first, leading your account to reach zero more quickly, making it more likely that you will be charged multiple times for purchases in the negative. Every time a transaction in the negative occurs, a consumer is charged on average a $34 penalty.

A Federal district court also recently came to the same conclusion—that financial institutions regularly reorder transactions from high-to-low, instead of low-to-high, exclusively to generate more fee revenue at the expense of the consumer. The two plaintiffs in that case incurred $143 in overdraft fees from a $49 overdraft, and $506 in fees for overdrawing $120. According to Pew’s Safe Checking in the Electronic Age Project, transaction reordering caused one plaintiff to incur four overdraft charges instead of just one – imposing an additional $66 in fees.

Reordering is confusing to consumers and has helped contribute to higher fees for the one in every five Americans who will overdraw their checking account this year. Specifically, Brown’s bill would crack down on these practices by:

• Ensuring banks post transactions in an objective way that is clear to their customers;
• Giving the CFPB, headed by the newly-confirmed Richard Cordray, the authority to monitor banks’ overdrafting practices to deem if they are acting predatorily; and
• Establishing fair guidelines to protect consumers now and in the future.

“Pew applauds Sen. Brown’s bill as it marks a turning point in the safety and transparency of the checking account as a household financial management tool,” said Susan Weinstock, director of Pew’s safe checking work. “For too long, financial institutions have been allowed to change the order that deposits and withdrawals are processed. This Act would restore safety to these accounts by preventing financial institutions from posting transactions in a way that maximizes overdraft fees.”

Sen. Brown’s bill would also direct the CFPB to provide a safe harbor from litigation for banks that play by the rules and follow the system the agency puts in place to ensure fair overdraft practices.

Joining Sen. Brown to help draw attention to these abuses was Francis Lesniak, a Northeast Ohio woman who overdrew her account by a total of only $5.60, but was charged $96 in penalties because her transactions were reordered.

They were also joined by David Rothstein, Project Director for Asset Building at Cleveland Saves, a program dedicated to helping Northeast Ohioans build their savings. Rothstein is also currently the Director of Resource Development and Public Affairs at the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Greater Cleveland and previously studied consumer issues and banking for Policy Matters Ohio.

“Overdraft fees hit working families and seniors hard,” Mr. Rothstein said. “We are working with clients through financial capability training to help them budget and through our financial partners to find them the best products but overdraft fees are expensive, inconsistent, and jarring to a monthly budget. This Bill provides a sensible floor for overdraft policies.”

Sen. Brown chairs the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection and has long fought to protect Ohioans from abusive and predatory banking practices.

SHERROD BROWN ANNOUNCES PLAN TO DETER THEFT OF CELL PHONES BY PREVENTING THE ILLEGAL RESALE OF STOLEN PHONES

From Senator Sherrod Brown's Newsletter

 

With cell phone theft on the rise – endangering Ohioans and consuming critical police department resources and time – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown

 

announced a plan to deter theft by preventing the illegal resale of stolen phones. He was joined by Euclid City Chief of Police Tom Brickman, Public Information Officer Sgt. Mitch Houser, as well as Dennis Kashi, a Northeast Ohio resident whose phone was stolen and has also spent years working in the cell phone industry with numerous victims of cell phone theft.

“Too many Northeastern Ohioans have been targeted for crime, just because of the phone in their pocket or purse,” Sen. Brown said. “With so much of this criminal activity fueled by the black market, this legislation will crack down on cell phone theft and impose severe consequences on thieves who will think twice before trying to make a quick buck.”

 

As of last year, about 87 percent of Americans own a cell phone – about 45 percent are smart phones, according to the Pew Research Center. A stolen iPhone can cost up to $849.00 to replace.

Criminals often target cell phones because they can easily be resold on the black market. Prior to the establishment of the database, most carriers only deactivated a stolen cell phone’s SIM card rather than the entire phone. While carriers entered into an agreement with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch a database of unique cell phone identification numbers to allow stolen cell phones to be entirely deactivated, some criminals are tampering with those unique identifiers – known as International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers – to avoid detection.

“The sheer number of thefts and complexity of the associated investigations have made it difficult for detectives to thoroughly investigate many of these incidents,” Officer Houser said. “A different, comprehensive approach is needed to effectively deal with this problem. Working to eliminate the market for stolen cell phones will be a major step in reducing cell phone theft and relieving the associated strain on local law enforcement resources.”

The Mobile Device Theft Deterrence Act of 2013 would impose criminal penalties of up to five years for criminals who tamper with cell phone IMEIs in order to circumvent the database. The bill would provide exceptions for legal alterations made to repair or refurbish phones or to protect the privacy and security of the end user. The bill has the full support of CTIA, the Wireless Association, which joined forces with the FCC to implement the national database.

“Personally, I have been a victim of cell phone theft twice in my life,” Mr. Kashi said. “Throughout my many years as a cell phone representative, I have seen numerous cases where someone's phone was stolen. No matter how many times this has happened, or however the problem arose, the feelings and emotions the victim experiences are devastating. The bill that Senator Brown is introducing is not only important on a criminal front, but it's imperative to protect the everyday person.” 



Related:
May 30, 2013 The Hill:  Sen. Brown announces bill aimed to stop the resale of stolen phones


May 14, 2013 CTIA-The Wireless Association® Statement on the Mobile Device Theft Deterrence Act

FAIR MINIMUM WAGE ACT

Calling for Passage of a Fair Minimum Wage Act in Cleveland

At Brothers Printing in Cleveland this week, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown called for passage of the Fair Minimum Wage Act, legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour in three steps and provide the first minimum wage increase to tipped employees in more than 20 years. “Northeast Ohio citizens work hard, play by the rules, and should be able to take care of their families. But too many Ohioans are working harder than ever – and barely getting by,” said Sen. Brown. “Working full-time in a minimum wage job in Ohio pays about $16,000 per year – which isn’t much to live on when you’re trying to put food on the table, fill your gas tank, send your children to school, and provide a safe place for them to live. Ensuring a fair wage is good for middle class families and good for our economy.” Sen. Brown was joined by Brothers Printing owners Joe and Jay Kaufman, of Cleveland, and Synergistic Systems owner Carlynn Canny, of Willoughby Hills, who explained their reasons for supporting an increase in the Federal minimum wage and called on their competitors to do the same.     “I strongly support raising the minimum wage as proposed,” said Canny. “As a business owner, the value of my company is the work force. Having a strong minimum wage helps everyone, as workers feel better about the company and about their jobs and spend more and contribute to a robust economy. Every person who works hard should earn at least a living wage. In the end, it also costs all of us less, and it is the right thing to do.”   Also joining Sen. Brown was Chris Barksdale, a former social worker, who told his story and recalled the stories of countless others who struggled to survive and support their families on the minimum wage.   “Conscientious people know it is impossible to live on less than $10 an hour in today’s society,” Barksdale said.   Sen. Brown is the cosponsor of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013, legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage. The bill would: Raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour from its current $7.25—in three steps of 95 cents—then provide for automatic annual increases linked to changes in the cost of living; Gradually raise the minimum wage for tipped workers—which currently stands at just $2.13 an hour—for the first time in more than 20 years, to 70 percent of the regular minimum wage; and Give more than 30 million American workers a raise under Brown’s bill. Workers who are paid a minimum wage in Ohio earn only $16,000 per year, which is more than $3,000 below the poverty level for a family of three. The Fair Minimum Wage Act would boost the minimum wage to $21,000, lifting families above the poverty line. According to the National Employment Law Project, the minimum wage has lost more than 30 percent over the last forty years. If the minimum wage had kept up with inflation, it would be worth approximately $10.55 per hour today. Increasing the minimum wage would boost GDP by nearly $33 billion and generate 140,000 new jobs over the course of three years as workers spend their raises in their local businesses and communities.

PROMPT NOTIFICATION OF SHORT SALE ACT

MARCH NEWSLETTER

Speeding up Home Sales

One sure way to reduce the deficit is to strengthen the economy—so more Americans have good-paying jobs and can support themselves and their families rather than relying upon the safety net to make ends meet. We have grown our way out of past recessions through a strong manufacturing sector and a robust housing market. But when empty homes are scattered from Cleveland Heights to Kennedy Heights, we know that the housing market still has a long way to go before it recovers. Although many prospective home buyers have made legitimate, good-faith offers to purchase a new home, they often encounter banks that ignore or slow walk those offers when sellers owe more on their mortgages than the selling price of these homes. And right now, this is the case for nearly 25 percent of Ohio homeowners. To help sell these homes and keep our economy moving forward, a short sale often makes sense. Short sales are real estate transactions that must be approved by the bank because the seller owes more on their mortgage than the proposed sale price. Both parties agree to the short sale process because it allows them to avoid a foreclosure – which typically takes longer to complete, involves hefty fees for the bank, and leaves a negative mark on the homeowner’s credit report. For too many buyers and sellers, the time that it takes to complete a short sale is anything but short. Too often in a short sale, once a buyer makes a written offer and has paid her earnest money deposit, there is a break in communication between the loan servicer and the buyer of the short sale property. The breakdown deprives buyers of knowing whether their offer has been accepted, rejected, or countered – which prevents them from making offers on other homes. This lapse in communication – especially when big banks are involved – makes it harder for families to move to Ohio. Kathy Hlad discovered this when she put her house, located in Lake County’s Concord Township, on the market in August 2010. Although a buyer submitted an offer on her house, her bank did not respond for eight months. When she finally heard back, the buyer was out of the country for an extended period of time and could not be reached to approve the counter offer. Because more than 30 days elapsed, the deal fell apart and the buyer walked away. Simply put, homes aren’t being sold – even when there is a demand. Potential buyers – fed up with the waiting game that lasts for months on end – simply walk away. And sellers who may need to move for a new job – either don’t move or take a huge financial hit. More efficient short sales could make a difference for our economy. If we’re going to recover from the housing crisis, we need to make it easier for qualified candidates to purchase homes.   That’s why I have introduced bipartisan legislation, the Prompt Notification of Short Sale Act, to improve the process for buyers considering a short sale.    First, the legislation would achieve creating greater accountability for the loan servicer and improved communication between the buyer and loan servicer by requiring a written response of an acceptance, rejection, counter offer, or extension within 30 days of the homeowner’s request. Last year, I met with a group of Ohio community bankers who said they could make a decision on a short sale in less than an hour.  What a million-dollar community bank in Ohio can do in thirty minutes we're asking multi-billion dollar banks to do in 30 days. And it would help to bolster our housing market and our economy by providing homebuyers with certainty and assurance by giving them a final date at which they can close the transaction, or move on. This common-sense legislation would help prospective home buyers – and distressed homeowners alike – while helping to rebuild our neighborhoods and fostering long-term economic growth. This is about stabilizing home values – shoring up our economic future, and standardizing processes that make sense for Ohio families. It’s about ending a waiting game and stopping the delay that represents a dangerous drag on the housing market and our nation’s fiscal health. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Now is the time to stabilize the housing market and stabilize our economy. Sincerely, Sherrod Brown U.S. Senator

PROMOTING COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Senator Sherrod Brown Newsletter:

Promoting Comprehensive Mental Health Services

Mental illness touches all of our lives, as about one in four adults has some form of a mental disorder. But too often health services are not readily available when a person with mental illness encounters the criminal justice system. That’s why Senator Sherrod Brown joined 18 of his Senate colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that will improve access to mental health services for people in the criminal justice system. “Siblings, parents, children, and friends may be living with depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness,” Sen. Brown said. “That’s why we must remain committed to addressing mental health concerns throughout Ohio and the nation.” The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act would continue support for mental health courts and crisis intervention programs by reauthorizing the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act. It would also help veterans in crisis by investing in veterans treatment courts. These are specialty courts designed to serve arrested veterans who suffer from PTSD, substance addiction, and other mental health conditions. Additionally, this legislation would promote proven corrections-based programs with transitional services that can reduce recidivism rates. Lastly, it would develop curricula for police academies and training programs so that law enforcement professionals are more ably equipped to respond to individuals with mental illness.   This legislative proposal is the latest example of Senator Brown’s commitment to addressing mental health concerns. In 2008, Congress passed the bipartisan Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. This law prohibits insurance companies from arbitrarily limiting the number of hospital days or outpatient treatment sessions a patient is granted, as well as prohibiting higher copayments or deductibles for subscribers who seek psychological services. This law has yet to be fully funded and implemented. That is why in December 2012, Senator Brown joined a letter to President Obama asking him to fully implement the law. The Obama health law, which Sen. Brown also voted for in 2010, is working to improve access to mental and behavioral health services. This law immediately eliminated pre-existing coverage exclusions for children. Kids are no longer being denied coverage – or have services excluded from coverage – as a result of pre-existing conditions. Senator Brown has long held that it is crucial that young adults with existing or emerging mental illnesses not experience lapses in coverage that are common as young adults enter college or the workforce. This is a time of high risk which we cannot afford to ignore. And, beginning in 2014, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to individuals with mental illness, and insurers cannot use mental illness as a reason to raise premiums. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) also established an essential benefits package – a set of health care service categories that must be covered by most plans – that will take effect in 2014. Mental health and substance abuse disorder services are part of this package.   In this time of shrinking budgets and increased economic stress on individuals, we cannot afford to ignore the needs of Americans with mental health and substance abuse problems. The Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Act is the next step in ensuring that all Americans have access to the mental health services they need.

SHERROD BROWN - TAX TIPS FOR OHIO FAMILIES

SHERROD BROWN NEWSLETTER - MARCH 1, 2013

Tax Tips for Ohio Families

With April 15th just around the corner, millions of Ohioans are beginning to file their federal income taxes. Before you get to work on your returns, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has a few tips on the resources available to help Ohio tax filers. Get forms and booklets. All IRS forms and instructions, along with FAQs and Tax Tips, are available through the IRS website. In addition, the most common forms are available at most local libraries, post offices, and military installations. If you need a paper copy of any form or booklet, you can also place an order with the IRS by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). Get help filing your taxes. If you earn $51,000 per year or less, you could be eligible for free tax assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA connects you with an IRS-certified tax assistant in your community to help you file your return and make sure that you take advantage of the many tax credits available to help working families. If you are 60 or older, you could also be eligible for tax assistance through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program, which offers free assistance to seniors. TCE assistants are IRS-certified and specialize in pension and retirement issues to better assist senior taxpayers. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site, click here. File online for free. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) was less than $57,000, you’re eligible to use brand-name tax software at no cost through the IRS Free File online system. All taxpayers are eligible to file their taxes for free through the IRS Free File Fillable Forms. To file online, click here. Remember credits for working individuals and families. Low- and middle-income working families and individuals can keep more of the money they earned throughout the year by claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), but many Ohioans don’t take advantage of the credit because they don’t know it exists or don’t think they’re eligible. Last year, one in five people who were eligible for the EITC did not claim it, costing them hundreds or thousands of dollars. Eligibility is determined by income and ranges from $14,340 to $51,567, depending on your family size. If you qualify, you could receive a tax deduction or refund. To find out if you qualify, click here. Families with children can also claim the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which can help families save up to $1,000 per dependent child under age 17. To find out if you qualify, click here. Get help with college costs. On January 1, 2013, Congress extended a tax credit to help make higher education affordable for students and parents. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) allows low- and middle-income students or parents to deduct up to $2,500 from their tax bill or to receive a refund of to $1,000 per student. There has been a delay in processing for AOTC claims for the 2013 tax season, but taxpayers can now begin filing forms that include the AOTC. For more information, click here. Get credits for child and dependent care. Many parents who work or are looking for work must pay for child care. If you paid someone for care of a child under 13 or for care of a dependent this year, you could qualify for a tax credit. For more information, click here. Get your tax return faster. While tax refunds can be distributed as a check, you will receive your refund more quickly if you have your refund deposited directly to your bank account. Direct deposit keeps your refund safe and will ensure that you claim your refund as quickly as possible. You can also choose to save your refund for yourself or a family member by purchasing up to $5,000 in Savings Bonds. Savings Bonds are a safe way to save for future retirement, education costs, or special events without needing a bank account. For more information on direct deposit or putting your refund into a Savings Bond, click here.

HEALTHCARE LAW HELPS SENIORS SAVE ON DRUG COSTS AND PREVENTIVE CARE

SHERROD BROWN NEWSLETTER :

Healthcare Law Helps Seniors Save on Drug Costs

Seniors have saved millions of dollars on prescription drugs as a result of the health care law – the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This law has enabled Ohioans in the so-called “donut hole” – the period of time when private Medicare insurance no longer covers prescription drugs – to save millions on prescription drug costs. Prior to the health law, the donut hole left seniors with huge out-of-pocket costs that may cause them to have to choose between medicine and food. Over the past three years, the added coverage for seniors as a result of the health law has saved Americans $5.7 billion nationwide.   “Ohio’s seniors have worked hard, paid into Medicare, and deserve health care options that truly meet their needs,” Brown said. “Under the health law, coverage for our seniors continues to improve.”    The new health law has also helped put money back in patients’ pockets. In 2010, thanks to the health law, Ohio seniors who hit the coverage gap “donut hole” received a one-time $250 rebate. In 2011, Medicare recipients began receiving a 50 percent discount on covered brand name drugs. Seniors in the “donut hole” also saw additional coverage of generic drugs costs. Coverage for both brand name and generic drugs in the gap will continue to increase until 2020, when the coverage gap will be eliminated. Ohio seniors have saved over $278.7 million on prescription drugs since the passage of the health law with an average per beneficiary savings of $774.   These added benefits have helped guarantee that seniors and people with disabilities receive the medicine and care they deserve after years of hard work. Covering the Medicare “donut hole” is just one of the many ways the health law is benefitting Ohioans.   Also thanks to the health law, seniors have access to free preventive services. These services include cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, and an annual wellness visit. Because cost barriers have been removed, more than 903,000 Ohioans with traditional Medicare took advantage of at least one preventive service in 2012. Because of Medicare, nearly 98 percent of seniors have health coverage and more than 90 percent live above the poverty line. Senator Brown will continue to make sure Ohioans – especially seniors – receive the health care they deserve.

SHERROD BROWN HELPING OHIO WORKERS

Newsletter from Sherrod Brown

At the President’s State of the Union address, I was joined by Cookie Hall, a second-generation Cleveland steelworker who knows from experience that American workers are the most productive in the world. Cookie works at Cleveland Works, a steel plant owned by ArcelorMittal North America. Workers at this plant produce one ton of steel per each man hour of work – making it the most efficient steel plant in the world. There is no disputing that our workers are the most productive in the world, but there are steps we must take to make them the most innovative.

 

In his speech, President Obama echoed my call for the creation of a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). Using Youngstown’s first-of-its-kind manufacturing innovation institute as a model, the President announced the launch of three more manufacturing hubs and called on Congress to help him create a network of 15 additional centers. Every region and every state has a role to play in helping maintain our innovative edge and these new hubs will help.

I’ve been working with small businesses, industry leaders, universities, and research institutions on legislation to create these important NNMI institutes. This network will retain U.S. leadership in a range of next-generation technologies, capitalize on our investment in basic research, and create thousands of high pay, high tech manufacturing jobs. By leveraging existing infrastructure and pockets of innovation across the country, NNMI provides small businesses with access to the tools and expertise needed to compete in the global economy. This will create regional magnets for cutting-edge research, talented students, and additional investments.

And we’ve already started to bring people and organizations together to spur 21st century innovation. Last year, we were able to bring the first-of-its-kind National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) to the Mahoning Valley – to the “Tech Belt” that extends from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. NAMII is a $70 million public-private partnership that can make Youngstown a world leader in new manufacturing technology – like 3-D printing. As the President mentioned in his address, “A once shuttered warehouse [in Youngstown] is now a state of the art lab where new workers are mastering the 3-D printing that has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything.”

Collaboration is critical for our success – and an NNMI would provide small businesses and research institutions access to the tools and expertise needed to compete in the global economy. And it can also spur the creation of regional hubs of advanced manufacturing throughout the U.S.

American workers have the drive, the creative thinking, and the determination to out-innovate the rest of the world. We just need to make certain that they have the opportunity to do so.

Sincerely,



TRADE UNIONS AND MINORITIES

A worthwhile program, the Apprenticeship Skills Achievement Program (ASAP) might have ended in April 2012.

 

 

"ASAP  is designed to help Northeast Ohio minorities gain entry into the building and construction trades."

 

 

Please read Mark Naymik's November 10, 2011 article called:  "Rift over minority hiring among trade unions gets some attention with bigger issues still unresolved"

 

 

 

We urge you to contact Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, and Senator Sherrod Brown and ask that the U.S. Department of Labor continue to keep the program alive (to keep funding it).

 

 

 

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge

Washington, D.C. Office 1019 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-7032
Fax: (202) 225-1339

 

 

 

Senator Sherrod Brown

Washington, DC: (202) 224-2315


Related:

Unlevel foundation: Racial disparities persist across local trade unions | CU-CitizenAccess June 3, 2010


MMPI, Turner team up to create opportunities for Cleveland youth

 

SHERROD BROWN DOES THE RIGHT THING

I don't think Sherrod Brown would mind my sharing his letter to me.  I'm so thankful that Sherrod Brown was re-elected to the Senate.  He  is an excellent example of the kind of public servant we want to represent us.

 

 

"Dear Elaine:

 

Thank you for getting in touch with me about the salaries and benefits provided to lawmakers and federal workers.

 

 

During these tough economic times, working families are making their own difficult decisions on how to reduce their personal budgets. With this in mind, it is clear that the government must lead by example and share in the sacrifices required to reduce its budget.

 

 

In December 2010, President Obama introduced a plan to freeze salaries for federal civilian workers for two years. According to projections, the proposal saved the federal government $5 billion.

 

 

 

In addition, with the understanding that lawmakers should not be receiving a raise as working families are struggling to make ends meet, I am a cosponsor of legislation that would prevent members of Congress from receiving an automatic pay raise. This bill would reduce spending by $80 million over the next decade. Lawmakers have not received a cost-of-living adjustment for three years.

 

 

Furthermore, with some in Congress considering substantial changes to Social Security, there is no reason that lawmakers should be exempt from the same reforms that could cause financial hardship for the middle class. I am proud to have introduced the Congressional Retirement Age Act, which would amend federal employee pension laws so that members of Congress can no longer receive their federal pensions before individuals can receive their Social Security retirement benefits.

 

 

Lastly, when I first came to Congress, I refused participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program because too many Americans had no health coverage at all. Only after Congress passed health reform legislation in 2010 — which provides Americans the same type of insurance options that members of Congress currently receive — have I opted to participate in the Congressional health plan.

 

 

As the Senate considers legislation that would cut salaries or benefits for federal workers and lawmakers, I will be sure to keep your views in mind. Thank you again for getting in touch with me.

 

 

Sincerely,

         

Sherrod Brown

United States Senator"

SHERROD BROWN ON CLAIMING TAX REFUNDS AND PROTECTING TAX CUTS

DECEMBER 10, 2012 Newsletter from Sherrod Brown's office:

Claiming Tax Refunds, Protecting Tax Cuts

Good communication is important, and poor communication can be costly. Unfortunately, miscommunication between Washington and Ohio could cost families in Wilmington and Orville up to $3,700 next year. As the New Year quickly approaches, it’s critical that Ohio families are aware of the unclaimed tax refunds that may be owed to them by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Often times, inaccurate addresses have caused these funds to be returned by the U.S. Postal Service. And in fact, last year, more than 2,000 Ohioans were eligible to claim tax refunds. In 2011, undelivered refund checks were worth more than $1,500 on average. Ohioans have always worked hard and played by the rules. But every year, millions of Americans don’t receive their tax returns because of postal errors. Taxpayers deserve to easily receive the money that the government owes them, and shouldn’t lose money just because their checks got lost in the mail. Fortunately, claiming a tax refund is an easy process if you are eligible. According to the IRS, if a refund check is returned to the IRS as undelivered, taxpayers can generally update their addresses with the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. The Tool also enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds. A taxpayer must submit his or her Social Security number, filing status, and amount of refund shown on their 2011 return. The tool will provide the status of their refund and, in some cases, instructions on how to resolve delivery problems. Ohio taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will receive instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954. They can also go to the Where’s My Refund? online tool to check the status of their refund by clicking here. Ohioans can also take two simple steps to avoid the risk that their refund could get lost in the mail. They can start by signing up to have their tax returns directly deposited to their bank accounts, eliminating the potential for postal errors. Next, they can file their taxes electronically. In addition to reducing the potential for miscommunication, e-filing reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up the refund process. But while ensuring Ohio families receive the refunds they are owed is important, it’s also crucial that we fight to guarantee middle class families across the country don’t see their taxes rise altogether. Right now, taxes will automatically rise for all Americans on January 1 unless Congress acts. Both the President and I campaigned on maintaining tax rates for 99 percent of Ohio families, and on November 6th, you strongly supported this position. But, more than a month later, some conservative politicians in Washington still haven’t gotten the message. They are still protecting the wealthiest one percent, at the expense of the middle class. In July, the Senate passed the Middle Class Tax Cut Act, which would prevent 99 percent of Ohio families – and all Americans making less than $250,000 per year – from paying higher taxes. Under the bill, the median income Ohio households would save an average of $2,200 on their taxes next year. Leaders in the House of Representatives have failed to schedule a vote on the bill – in part, because it asks the wealthiest two percent of American households to pay the same tax rates they paid during the Clinton years, when our economy added 22 million jobs. It’s time for the House of Representatives to stop holding hostage middle class tax cuts and pass the bill. It’s our duty to ensure that taxes will not go up for the millions of Ohioans who wake up early, send their children off to school, keep our assembly lines productive, tend to our vast agricultural areas, and stand up behind a counter serving customers for eight hours or more each day. Let’s move forward with our economic recovery and ensure that Ohioans have the resources they need to support their families. By accessing unclaimed tax credits, and providing tax cuts that bolster middle class families, we can continue to make our country stronger. Sincerely, Sherrod Brown U.S. Senator

MAPLE HEIGHTS AFRICAN AMERICAN GAZETTE 2012 ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS

FOR RESIDENTS OF MAPLE HEIGHTS

 

President/Vice President             Obama/Biden

U.S. Senate:                                    Sherrod Brown

U.S. House of Representatives:   Marcia Fudge

State Rep, 12th District                John E. Barnes Jr

For Cuyahoga County

Prosecuting Attorney                   Timothy McGinty

For County Council - District 8    Pernel Jones Jr

Beverly Goldstein

Ohio Supreme Court                    Mike Skindell

Ohio Supreme Court                    William M. O’Neill

Ohio Supreme Court                    Yvette McGee Brown

Court of Appeals - 8th District    Frank D. Celebreeze Jr

Court of Appeals - 8th District    Tim McCormack

Court of Appeals - 8th District    Eileen T. Gallagher

Court of Appeals - 8th District    Mary Boyle

Court of Common Pleas              Joseph Russo

Court of Common Pleas              Stuart Friedman

Court of Common Pleas              Michael Jackson

Court of Common Pleas              Timothy McCormick

Court of Common Pleas              John P. O’Donnell

Court of Common Pleas              Edele Passalacqua / Grassroots Endorsed Candidate, Endorsed by the Imperial Women & ClevelandUrbanNews.com

Court of Common Pleas              Dean W. Van Dress

Court of Common Pleas              John Sutula

Court of Common Pleas              Carolyn B. Friedland

Court of Common Pleas              Shirley Strickland Saffold

Court of Common Pleas             Janet Burnside

Court of Common Pleas             Cassandra Collier-Williams

Court of Common Pleas             Ann Reali

Court of Common Pleas             Cullen Sweeney

Court of Common Pleas             Steve Gall

 

Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division    Frankie  Goldberg

Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division Alison Nelson Floyd

Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division Thomas F. O’Malley

Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division   Michael John Ryan