1075 Billion Dollars

I have a hard time comprehending 1075 Billion Dollars, but whether my tiny mind can grasp it or not that's the size of The United States of America 2008 Federal Discretionary Budget.

To make things easier, Jess Bachman designed the super cool DEATH & TAXES poster. Mine is on its way.

Click here to see the online zoomable(if that's a word) version.

HEROES

Are Unions Destroying American Education?

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute and the John Glenn School of Public Policy, as part of the Cicero's Podium: Great Issues Debate series, will be discussing whether or not Unions are destroying American Education.

Do teacher unions create more harm than good in the American education system? Peter Brimelow and Richard D. Kahlenberg will explore this topic at a public debate moderated by Chad Kifer on the Ohio State University campus in February. This debate is co-sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and the John Glenn School of Public Affairs.

Feb 12 2008, 5:30pm
free and open to the public
Faculty Club Grand Lounge
181 South Oval
Columbus

more info here

legislators luncheon

I may come home for this event, especially if Tim Ryan is going to be there.

League of Women Voters
Annual Luncheon with Legislators
Saturday, January 19
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
At The Youngstown Club
$10.00 per person
reservations required
Call 330-788-4646

new columbus visitor center

The brand new Downtown Visitor's Information Center in Columbus will have its grand opening January 10 at 4pm. I have no idea if it's open to the public, but they are asking for RSVP's. I'm excited to see what they are doing and if any of it can be applied to Youngstown. I'll be heading over after work so expecting to get there around 4:30ish. Anyone else going?

recovering vacant property

Steve Ferrell of United Way and Chester Jourdan of MORPC* lobbied hard for the passage of HB 138 and it passed, 90-2. From Greater Ohio

Vacant and abandoned properties, a growing problem throughout the state of Ohio, are increasingly havens of crime and vandalism, as well as perpetuating the decline in adjacent property values. HB 138’s provisions will help begin to turn the tide against those vacant property owners who are difficult, if not impossible, to locate due to improperly or unfiled deeds.

“HB 138 provides a crucial tool to expedite vacant property redevelopment in our communities—although additional tools are needed. ReBuild Ohio is thrilled to have played a role in educating policymakers about the need for new legislation to address the vacancy and abandonment problem throughout the state and will continue to do so,” said Greater Ohio Co-Director Lavea Brachman, who also co-chairs ReBuild Ohio, a statewide consortium concerned with the vacancy and abandonment issue.

I really hope that this bill makes it through the Senate. Organizations like Lien Forward Ohio have already done to help citizen reclaim vacant properties and this will continue that effort.

The Southside is one vacant property after another. Anything that can be done to get this land into the hands of responsible citizens gets my vote. My parents are considering buying the two vacant properties adjacent to theirs. They are worried about it increasing their property value and then their property taxes being more than they can afford. Does anyone know anything the taxable worth of a lot in Youngstown? I hope it's not much because I just found out that I can't grow tomatoes here in Worthington due to my neighbor's giant Black Walnut tree and I'm thinking my Dad would grow way more tomatoes if he suddenly had 3x as much land.

Also, Steve Ferrell told me about a United Way program that pays for roof replacements and repairs for low income households. I had looked at the United Way website before and found the information but now I can't find it. Anyone know where I can find information about it? I'd like to post a link.


*Does NE Ohio have a Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission equivalent?

Youngstown ≠ sedate... Thank God!

There's a story in the New York Post by writer David Landsel who counted his trip to Columbus among "five of the most memorable trips I took" in 2007. He calls my new hometown, Worthington, "sedate". I wonder when the last time someone called Youngstown sedate was...


He also called Graeter's Ice Cream "legendary"(the one just blocks from my house). He's obviously never had Handel's.