Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 122107

American Planning Assn presents:

December 21, 2007 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes - Senate: Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008 House: CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 House: Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act House: Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 House: SCHIP Extension Act House: Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008 Editor's Note: The Senate is in recess until January 22. The House is in recess until January 15.

Recent Senate Votes

Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote Agreed to (76-17, 1 Present, 6 Not Voting) The Senate passed H.R. 2764, a 2008 fiscal year omnibus appropriations bill that provides additional war funding. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (314-100, 19 Not Voting) The House passed this comprehensive energy bill that will raise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act - Vote Passed (360-53, 19 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would help the insurance industry cover costs in the event of a terrorist attack. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (352-64, 17 Not Voting) The House voted in favor of this bill to fix the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) for one year, sending it to the President for his approval. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio SCHIP Extension Act - Vote Passed (411-3, 18 Not Voting) The House passed this bill on Wednesday to extend funding of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in its current form until March 2009. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008 - Vote Passed (272-142, 18 Not Voting) The House gave final approval to this $555 billion, 2008 fiscal year omnibus appropriations bill that includes a Senate provision providing additional war funding. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted Not Voting......send e-mail or see bio

Rock Hall Induction Coming Back to Cleveland

Press release from City hall:

From the Mayor's Office:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2007

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson partners with Rock Hall to hold 2009 Inductions in Cleveland Induction ceremony and other major initiatives support Rock Hall’s mission

CLEVELAND – Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson, City Council President Martin Sweeney, Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Terry Stewart, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, were joined by Rock Hall Board Members to announce today that the 2009 Rock Hall Inductions would be held in Cleveland in March 2009, with the option of bringing them back to the City every three years. In addition, the Rock Hall announced additional measures designed to support its mission and capital campaign.

“The Rock Hall is one of Cleveland’s many assets that showcase our city as a great destination. Having the induction ceremonies return to Cleveland is a major accomplishment that will put our city in the national spotlight and provide a real economic return to Northeast Ohio,” said Mayor Jackson. “I look forward to welcoming all who will take part in the 2009 Induction Ceremony and showing off all that Cleveland has to offer.”

Mayor Jackson will work with the Greater Cleveland community to show the Rock Hall Foundation that we are willing and ready to bring the ceremonies home.

Plans to hold induction ceremonies in Cleveland are a direct result of the leadership that Joel Peresman, who became president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in 2006, and the efforts of Mayor Jackson to make the inductions a priority event for the City of Cleveland.

“The Foundation is fervently committed to the continued success of this institution, and recognizes the significance of the ceremony for Cleveland,” Terry Stewart said. “The commitment by Joel Peresman – coupled with the dedication from Mayor Frank Jackson, the County Commissioners and the Rock Hall’s Cleveland Board of Directors – were key in getting the ceremony back to Cleveland in 2009. We look forward to working with the community’s public and private leadership to provide the support and execution that a world-class event like this deserves.”

Details about the 2009 ceremonies are expected to be announced in the spring of 2008. The Foundation sponsors and hosts the induction ceremonies, which generally have been held in New York and are its principal fund-raiser. The ceremonies were previously held in Cleveland in 1997. This year, the combined appeal of the Museum’s eclectic collection and special exhibits – including those exploring the early career of the Beach Boys, the Van’s Warped Tour and celebrations of the 40th anniversaries of The Doors and the Monterey Pop Festival – have boosted attendance by approximately 10 percent. The Museum’s annual economic impact on the region is estimated at $107 million, per Team NEO, an economic development organization in Cleveland.

To further its development efforts, the Rock Hall also announced today that:

The Museum has established a long-term strategic plan in support of its mission while building an internationally recognized brand. Initially, this will include expansion of digital outreach efforts and plans for exhibition space in Memphis and New York City. The space will house traveling exhibits, further extend the Rock Hall’s reach and promote visitation to the Museum in Cleveland.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation today presented a check for $8 million to support the Museum’s $35 million capital campaign.

The capital campaign has raised $20 million toward its $35 million goal. The campaign, which reflects an investment in Cleveland as the “Rock and Roll Capital of the World,” will provide for a permanent Library and Archives on the campus of Cuyahoga Community College, renovation of the Museum’s interior and establish an operating reserve to solidify the institution’s future.

Legislative Action: 10th District and State - 121707

American Planning Assn presents:

December 17, 2007 In this MegaVote for Ohio's 10th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes - Senate: CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 Senate: FHA Modernization Act of 2007 Senate: National Defense Authorization Act, FY2008 Senate: Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 House: Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act House: National Defense Authorization Act, FY2008 House: AMT Relief Act House: Intelligence Authorization Act, FY2008 House: Making further continuing appropriations for FY2008 Upcoming Congressional Bills - Senate: FISA Amendments Act of 2007 Senate: Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008 House: CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 House: Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008

Recent Senate Votes

CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 - Vote Agreed to (86-8, 6 Not Voting) The Senate passed a pared-down version of the energy bill that the House passed last week. Sen. George Voinovich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio FHA Modernization Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (93-1, 6 Not Voting) The Senate passed legislation to ease the burden of mushrooming interest rates on homeowners by allowing them to transfer their finances into federally insured loans. Sen. George Voinovich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio National Defense Authorization Act, FY2008 - Vote Agreed to (90-3, 7 Not Voting) On Friday, the Senate gave final approval to this bill authorizing defense spending for fiscal year 2008. Sen. George Voinovich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 - Vote Passed (79-14, 7 Not Voting) The Senate approved this $288 billion, five-year bill that sets agricultural policy and authorizes funding for agricultural related programs such as commodity support, conservation, and nutrition. Sen. George Voinovich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Sherrod Brown voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act - Vote Passed (303-116, 12 Not Voting) The House passed this bill that would help the insurance industry cover costs in the event of a terrorist attack, after making slight revisions to the Senate version that passed last month. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio National Defense Authorization Act, FY2008 - Vote Passed (370-49, 12 Not Voting) The House passed this bill to authorize defense appropriations. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio AMT Relief Act - Vote Passed (226-193, 13 Not Voting) The House passed this measure to patch the alternative minimum tax that would be financed by a pay-as-you-go plan. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Intelligence Authorization Act, FY2008 - Vote Passed (222-199, 10 Not Voting) This bill authorizing intelligence spending would also ban waterboarding, mock executions, and other severe methods of interrogation. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Making further continuing appropriations for FY2008 - Vote Passed (385-27, 21 Not Voting) On Thursday the House passed this continuing resolution to fund government programs through Friday, December 21. Rep. Dennis Kucinich voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

FISA Amendments Act of 2007 - S.2248 The Senate will vote on this bill that would require court approval for some spying on U.S. citizens. Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008 - H.R.2764 The Senate is expected to vote on this omnibus spending bill that will fund government operations. CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 - H.R.6 The House is expected to once again vote on this bill in order to agree to Senate amendments. Consolidated Appropriations, FY2008 - H.R.2764 The House is scheduled to vote early in the week on this omnibus spending bill that will fund government operations.