Tuesday, April 25, 2017

NEOtrans: The Cleveland skyscraper building-binge starts

NEOtrans: The Cleveland skyscraper building-binge starts: Construction workers will begin building in May the new Beacon apartment tower at Euclid Avenue and East 6th Street in downtown Cleveland...

Monday, October 24, 2011

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 10242011

In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
Senate: Confirmation of John Edgar Bryson to be Secretary of Commerce
Senate: Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act of 2011
Senate: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012

Upcoming Congressional Bills
House: Internal Revenue CodeEditor's Note: The Senate is in recess this week.


Recent Senate Votes
Confirmation of John Edgar Bryson to be Secretary of Commerce - Vote Confirmed (74-26)
The Senate confirmed John Bryson as Secretary of Commerce. Bryson succeeds Gary Locke, who is now the ambassador to China.

Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act of 2011 - Vote Rejected (50-50)
Last week the Senate rejected consideration of this bill that would allocate $30 billion in grants to state and local governments to pay to hire or retain teachers and $5 billion in grants to governments and other groups to pay for law enforcement officers and emergency personnel. This was one component of the president’s broader jobs bill that was rejected earlier in the month.

Sen. Rob Portman voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 - Vote Agreed to (82-16, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate reached the necessary 60 votes to end debate on a legislative package that combines the fiscal 2012 Agriculture, Commerce-Justice-Science (S 1572) and Transportation-HUD (S 1596) appropriations bills. When they return from a weeklong recess, senators will resume consideration of the bill.

Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio


Upcoming Votes
Internal Revenue Code - H.R.674
The House is scheduled to vote this week on a bill to repeal a 3 percent withholding requirement on government contractor payments.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 10172011

In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
Senate: Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011
Senate: American Jobs Act of 2011
Senate: United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
Senate: United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
Senate: United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
House: United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
House: United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
House: United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act
House: EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011

Upcoming Congressional Bills
Senate: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012

Editor's Note: The House is in recess this week.
Recent Senate Votes

Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (63-35, 2 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill last week that would allow economic sanctions to be placed on China for keeping its currency value artificially low. The House is unlikely to vote on the measure.
Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

American Jobs Act of 2011 - Vote Rejected (50-49, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate did not reach the necessary 60 votes to end debate on the president’s comprehensive $447 billion jobs bill, effectively tabling the legislation. Parts of the bill will likely be considered in multiple smaller bills.
Sen. Rob Portman voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act - Vote Passed (83-15, 2 Not Voting)
On Wednesday, the Senate voted to implement a trade pact with South Korea. The House approved the bill earlier in the day and the president is expected to sign the bill into law.
Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Vote Passed (77-22, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate approved a trade pact with Panama. The House passed the bill earlier the same day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Vote Passed (66-33, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate passed this bill to implement a trade agreement with Colombia. The House approved the bill earlier in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted NO......send e-mail or see bio


Recent House Votes

United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Vote Passed (262-167, 4 Not Voting)
On Wednesday, the House passed this bill to implement a trade pact with Colombia. The Senate approved the bill later in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Vote Passed (300-129, 4 Not Voting)
The House approved this bill to implement a trade pact with Panama. The Senate approved the bill later in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act - Vote Passed (278-151, 4 Not Voting)
The House passed this trade agreement with South Korea. The Senate approved the bill later in the day and the president is expected to sign it into law.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (275-142, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would delay EPA emissions rules for boilers, solid-waste incinerators and process heaters, requiring the EPA to re-propose the rules and finalize them exactly 15 months after the bill’s enactment. The Senate is unlikely to vote on the legislation.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 - H.R.2112
The Senate is expected to consider a fiscal 2012 appropriations measure that incorporates three spending bills: Agriculture (H.R. 2112), Commerce-Justice-Science (S. 1572) and Transportation-HUD (S. 1596).

Public Meetings on Proposed WestShore Corridor Transportation Project Plan

GREATER CLEVELAND – In the near future, residents, regional visitors and commuter could have safe, convenient new options for travel between major points in Erie, Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties including commuter bus and rail, according to planners on the WestShore Transportation Project. However, new local funding sources must be identified, further studies undertaken, and railroad and intercounty agreements inked before a major new service like commuter rail service is ready to operate.

On behalf of project co-sponsors Lorain County Board of Commissioners/Lorain County Transit and Lorain County Community Alliance, the WestShore Commuter Rail Task Force and communities in Lorain County, Erie County and Cuyahoga County, will hold three public meetings to present study findings to-date for recommended travel options, costs, benefits and funding/financing for the WestShore Corridor.  Public comments are needed in order to finalize the proposed package of options designed to improve longer-distance public transit service between the WestShore counties of Erie, Lorain and Cuyahoga.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend one or more of the following meetings:

Cuyahoga County—October 24, 2011               
Lakewood City Hall                                   
Auditorium                                               
12650 Detroit Avenue                               
Lakewood, OH 44107                               
6-8 pm                                                   

Lorain County—October 26, 2011
Black River Landing
421 Black River Lane
Lorain, OH 44052
6-8 pm

Erie County -- October 25, 2011
Erie County Administration Building
3rd Floor Commissioner’s Chambers
2900 Columbus Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
6-8 pm



For more information, please contact Tim Rosenberger, PB at 216-832-2952, Nancy Lyon Stadler, Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. at 216-776-6814 or Marissa Beechuk, BrownFlynn at
440-484-0100, ext.211.

****************************************************************************************************************

WESTSHORE CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY BACKGROUND

The WestShore Corridor Transportation Project (WCTP) seeks to address the lack of public transportation options for travel in the WestShore Corridor, which extends from downtown Cleveland through western Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Erie Counties to Sandusky. The need for improvements is based on several factors including a lack of public transit options for inter-county travel, lack of transit options within Lorain and Erie Counties, and the need for more sustainable land use patterns in suburban growth areas.

While the development of commuter rail service along the Norfolk Southern (former Nickel Plate) rail line that passes through Lakewood, Bay Village and much of northern Lorain County has been the goal for many citizens and political leaders in the WestShore Corridor, the analysis conducted for the WCTP indicates that a transit market must first be established within the WestShore Corridor before commuter rail can become a reality. Currently, commuter bus services to downtown Cleveland operate from Medina, Summit, Portage and Lake counties. Lorain County is the most populous county surrounding Cleveland that does not have bus service to downtown Cleveland. The WCTP suggests that an inter-county transit market could be established in several phases.

In Phase 1, during the next five years, would include implementation of commuter bus service between Lorain County and downtown Cleveland.  The proposed service would include basic commuter bus service between the city of Lorain and downtown Cleveland with stops at Black River Landing, Midway Mall, and two new park and ride lots located in Sheffield and Avon. In this phase, Lorain County Transit would be restored to its pre-2009 service levels to distribute passengers throughout Lorain County. 

Implementing this service would cost approximately $11 million per year in buying buses and outfitting park-and-ride lots in Lorain County. The annual estimated annual operating cost of Phase 1 is $8.3 million. While commuter bus service is made operational, work would continue on the analysis of the benefits and environmental impacts of the commuter rail service to allow for that service to be developed in the future. Discussions with the Norfolk-Southern Railroad about use of their rail line for commuter rail service began as part of the West Shore study, and would continue through the first phase of development. 

In Phase 2 (Years 6-10), commuter bus service in Lorain County would expand, and commuter bus service between Erie County and downtown Cleveland would begin. In this phase two new bus routes would be started to supplmenet the route operating between Lorain and downtown Cleveland. One new route would operate between Sheffield and downtown Cleveland, with one park and ride lot located in Sheffield and two in Avon. A third commuter bus route would begin providing service between Sandusky and downtown Cleveland, with stops at park and ride facilities located in Sandusky, Huron, and Vermilion. 

The estimated cost of this second phase of service would be about $16 million for additional buses and park and ride lot, and about $10 million in additional annual operating cost. 

Also in this phase, regional transit officials would complete the analysis of commuter rail service and reach an agreement with the Norfolk Southern railroad regarding use of their rail line, and would begin the design of improvements to the rail line, stations and other infrastructure needed to operate commuter rail service.
WESTSHORE CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY BACKGROUND - Continued
Page 2


In Phase 3 (Years 10-15), commuter rail service would begin operation and would replace some or all of the commuter bus services in Lorain County, and would perhaps replace some bus services in Cuyahoga County.  The commuter rail service would operate between Black River Landing in Lorain and downtown Cleveland. Stations would be located in Lorain, Sheffield, Avon, Westlake, Bay Village, Rocky River, Lakewood and Cleveland. It is hoped that many of the park and ride facilities developed in the first two phases of the project would now function as park and ride lots at the commuter rail stations. Commuter bus service would continue to be operated between Sandusky and Cleveland as in Phase 2. Extension of commuter rail service to Sandusky and other Erie County locations would be re-examined as a possibility for the future.

The WestShore Study has estimated that it would cost nearly $160 million in improvements to the Norfolk Southern rail line and associated stations and park-and-ride lots, and in purchasing new rail cars and other equipment, to operate a startup commuter rail service.  The estimated annual cost of operating the commuter rail and commuter bus services in Phase 3 is approximately $17 million.

There are many challenges to developing intercounty transit service in the WestShore corridor. The most important of these is the establishment of a sustainable funding source to support the service. Currently, Lorain and Erie Counties lack a secure dedicated funding source for mass transit service to match the 1% county wide sales tax that supports the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in Cuyahoga County. A source for those county’s portions of the cost of operating the service would be necessary to allow service to be operated. Identifying a potential operator of the commuter bus and rail service-whether it be Lorain County Transit (LCT), GCRTA, Erie County Transit, some combination of those agencies, or a new agency, is another issue that must be resolved before operation can begin. The high cost of commuter rail may be beyond the funding capacity of the region at this time, but the phased approach may allow for the more fiscally manageable commuter bus service to begin operating while the region works toward the goal of developing commuter rail.  

The budget for this phase of the WestShore Corridor Transportation Project is $423,000 and was managed by Lorain County.  Funds for 80% of this budget came from a Federal appropriation secured by Congresswoman Betty Sutton in 2008.  The remaining 20% of the project budget was contributed by local sources including the private sector, municipalities, transit authorities and government agencies from all three project area counties. Representatives from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), GCRTA, ODOT, Lorain County Transit and other organizations helped in manage the project via the WestShore Corridor Commuter Rail Task Force. 

Public comments will be accepted through November 2, 2011 at WestshoreAA@pbworld.com.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 09192011

From MegaVote, via the APA:

In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District:


Recent Senate Votes

Emergency Supplemental Disaster Relief Appropriations Resolution, 2011 - Vote Agreed to (62-37, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to add supplemental disaster relief funding to legislation extending the trade sanctions on Myanmar, still commonly known as Burma. The bill, later passed by unanimous consent, would provide $6.9 billion in immediate aid. The vote came after the Senate rejected two proposals to offset the cost of the funding.

Sen. Rob Portman voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (92-6, 2 Not Voting)
On Thursday, the Senate approved this bill to extend FAA programs through January 2012 and surface transportation authorization through March 2012. The House had passed the bill by voice vote earlier in the week. Aviation programs were scheduled to expire on September 16, and highway programs would have expired this week. The president signed the bill on Friday.

Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio


Recent House Votes

Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act - Vote Passed (365-54, 12 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to expand successful charter school programs, the first part of an effort to overhaul and reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act. The Senate is likely to consider charter school legislation as part of a broader reauthorization of No Child Left Behind rather than as a stand-alone bill.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act - Vote Passed (238-186, 9 Not Voting)
The House approved this legislation to limit the authority of the National Labor Relations Board. The bill prohibits the board from ordering an employer to restore, shut down or relocate operations. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio


Upcoming Votes
Generalized System of Preferences Act - H.R.2832
The Senate is scheduled to vote on this trade preferences bill, which may be used as the legislative vehicle for a restoration of expanded Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits.

Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2012 - H.J.RES.79
This House legislation would fund government operations through November 18. Government programs are currently funded through September 30, when the 2011 fiscal year ends.

Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011 - H.R.2401
The House plans to take up this measure that calls for examination of the economic effect of EPA regulations, including those pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 07252011

From Megavote

In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
Senate: Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012
Senate: Motion to Table; Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011
House: Cut, Cap, and Balance Act
House: Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011
House: Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2012

Upcoming Congressional Bills
House: Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act
House: Interior-Environment Appropriations, FY2012

Recent Senate Votes

Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (97-2, 1 Not Voting)
The Senate passed its version of the military construction and Department of Veterans Affairs appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year. The $144 billion bill differs slightly from the House version that passed on June 14. A conference committee will work out a final bill.
Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Motion to Table; Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011 - Vote Agreed to (51-46, 3 Not Voting)
The Senate agreed to this motion to table the House-passed "Cut, Cap and Balance" debt ceiling and balanced-budget plan. The move essentially kills the bill.
Sen. Rob Portman voted NO......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio


Recent House Votes

Cut, Cap, and Balance Act - Vote Passed (234-190, 8 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill that would make a debt ceiling increase contingent on passage of a balanced-budget constitutional amendment. The White House indicated the president would veto it. The Senate rejected the bill later in the week.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (241-173, 18 Not Voting)
The House passed this bill to alter the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a mortgage and credit card watchdog group created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial overhaul law. The bill would raise the threshold by which the Financial Stability Oversight Council can overturn CFPB regulations and require Senate confirmation of a director before the CFPB can begin operating. The Senate is unlikely to pass the bill.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (252-159, 21 Not Voting)
This $3.3 billion bill would fund the legislative branch in the upcoming fiscal year. It marks a 6.4 percent reduction from the current funding level. It is not clear when the Senate will take up the bill.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio


Upcoming Votes

Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act - H.R.2587
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill to restrict certain powers of the National Labor Relations Board.

Interior-Environment Appropriations, FY2012 - H.R.2584
This bill would provide the Department of the Interior and the EPA with $27.5 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 07182011

From Megavote:

In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
House: Better Use of Light Bulbs Act
House: Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
House: Energy-Water Appropriations, FY2012

Upcoming Congressional Bills
Senate: Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012
House: Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011
House: Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011
House: Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2012
Recent House Votes

Better Use of Light Bulbs Act - Vote Failed (233-193, 1 Present, 4 Not Voting)
The House rejected this bill that would have repealed energy efficiency standards that are expected to lead to a phaseout of the traditional incandescent light bulb. A two-thirds vote was necessary to pass the bill under suspension of the rules. The bill is likely to come up again under a rule or as part of another bill.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (239-184, 8 Not Voting)
This House bill would limit the EPA’s authority to override a state’s water pollution standards in favor of stricter standards. It is unclear if the Senate will take up the bill. The White House has issued a veto threat.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Energy-Water Appropriations, FY2012 - Vote Passed (219-196, 16 Not Voting)
The House passed this 2012 fiscal year spending bill that would provide $30.6 billion to the Department of Energy, the Army Corps of Engineers and various water projects. The Senate has not written its version of the bill yet.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio


Upcoming Votes

Military Construction-VA Appropriations, FY2012 - H.R.2055
The Senate is scheduled to work on this $144 billion bill funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and military construction projects in the upcoming fiscal year.

Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 - H.R.2560
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill that would put caps on spending and raise the debt limit if Congress submits a balanced-budget constitutional amendment to the states.

Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2011 - H.R.1315
This House bill would make it easier to overturn rules and regulations issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2012 - H.R.2551
The House is set to take up this bill funding House and Senate operations and salaries in the upcoming fiscal year.


Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 07112011

In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
House: Fiscal 2012 Defense Appropriations

Upcoming Congressional Bills
Senate: High earners and the deficit
House: Fiscal 2012 Energy-Water Appropriations
House: Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011
House: Better Use of Light Bulbs Act
House: Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
Recent House Votes

Fiscal 2012 Defense Appropriations - Vote Passed (336-87, 8 Not Voting)
The House passed this $649.2 billion bill to fund the Defense Department in the next fiscal year. The bill marks a $17 billion increase over the 2011 spending level. The Senate is expected to work on its version of the bill later in the summer.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio


Upcoming Votes
High earners and the deficit - S.1323
This sense of the Senate bill says that any budget deficit agreement should require taxpayers who earn more than $1 million to contribute more to deficit reduction.

Fiscal 2012 Energy-Water Appropriations - H.R.2354
The House is scheduled to take up this $30.7 billion bill funding the Energy Department and other water projects for the upcoming fiscal year.

Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011 - H.R.1309
This House bill would reauthorize and overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program.

Better Use of Light Bulbs Act - H.R.2417
The House is scheduled to vote on this bill to repeal a provision of the 2007 energy law that created minimum efficiency standards for the incandescent light bulb.

Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011 - H.R.2018
The House may consider this bill that would prevent the EPA from enforcing new water pollutant rules where a state has already acted.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 06272011

From Megavote:
In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes
  • Senate: Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011
  • Senate: Confirmation of David H. Petraeus to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Upcoming Congressional Bills
  • Senate: Libya authorization
  • House: FY2012 Defense Appropriations
  • House: Fiscal 2012 Energy-Water Appropriations
  • House: Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011


Recent Senate Votes
Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - Vote Passed (79-20, 1 Not Voting)

This bill would reduce the number of executive branch appointees requiring Senate approval. Its future in the House is unclear.

Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio


Confirmation of David H. Petraeus to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency - Vote Confirmed(94-0, 6 Not Voting)

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus was confirmed to be the new CIA director. Petraeus, currently the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, is expected to begin work in September.

Sen. Rob Portman voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio


Upcoming Votes
Libya authorization - S.J.RES.20

The Senate is scheduled to debate this resolution authorizing limited use of the U.S. military in Libya.



FY2012 Defense Appropriations - H.R.2219

The House is scheduled to work on this $650 billion bill funding Defense Department operations for the upcoming fiscal year.



Fiscal 2012 Energy-Water Appropriations - H.R.2354

The House may also take up this $30.7 billion bill funding the Energy Department and other water projects for the upcoming fiscal year.



Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011 - H.R.1309

This House bill would reauthorize and overhaul the National Flood Insurance Program.

Friday, July 01, 2011

HGR, Inc.: "Local Artists Transform Used Industrial Equipment Into Unique Chairs"

Clevelanders Share in the Story as Chairs Become Public Art

CLEVELANDJune 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HGR seeks talented local artists to participate in the First Annual Chair&Tell.  In partnership with local public art recipients, the event showcases the creative reuse of materials from HGR's warehouse as localCleveland artists are invited to build a stunning and unique chair out of industrial surplus equipment.  With over 12 acres of items to choose from at the HGR showroom in Euclid, OH, the artists will select up to $300 worth of materials that they will transform into a chair iconic of industrial equipment.  
"I like to think of myself as a chair guy," says Kevin Busta, Artist and Chair&Tell participant. "Walking around HGR is inspirational...Sometimes I'm pulled to a certain angle of a piece."  
But Chair&Tell is not just about innovative design—it is also about the process behind it.  Artists will document the transformation through photos and videos.  The images will be displayed on the Chair&Tell website and at the kick-off Chair&Tell event this fall at Tower City where artists will be available to tell the story of the transformation.
Aidan Cho, HGR's CMO and creator of Chair&Tell, explains, "Chair&Tell was conceived from the idea that surplus equipment can have multiple lives, and in each life there is a story.  A city built on the promise of industrial manufacturing is the perfect setting in which we can inspire people to reinvent and give used industrial equipment a new life."
The finished chairs will remain on display at Tower City for several weeks following the event, and will then be moved to other public art spaces throughout Cleveland.
Interested artists should submit an application by July 1st via www.chairandtell.com.  Accepted applicants will receive a $500stipend and have the opportunity to have their chair displayed as public art throughout Cleveland.  HGR also seeks public art chair recipients interested in temporary, permanent, fixed or rotating displays.
For more information about Chair&Tell, visit www.chairandtell.com.
What is HGR?
HGR, Inc. specializes in buying and selling industrial surplus equipment.  We purchase equipment from manufacturers around the country, and resell the items to a wide variety of customers around the world.  Some of our customers are in the manufacturing industry.  Some of them are hobbyists.  Others are just looking for something off the beaten path for their next creation.  Visit www.hgrinc.com for more information.
Why Chair&Tell?
We believe in sustainability, creativity and the limitless possibilities of surplus equipment. We also believe public art revitalizes communities and engages residents in the creative afterlife of the materials. Chair&Tell is an opportunity to transform industrial equipment into works of art. The chairs breathe new life into the surplus items, and Clevelanders get to share in the story.
SOURCE HGR, Inc.