Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Senate President Bill Harris and Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted have spearheaded a successful effort to enact a $1.57 billion jobs stimulus package that aims to create new jobs while laying the foundation for future economic prosperity.
Gov. Ted Strickland finally got his opportunity to sign the highly debated HB 416, which ratifies the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resource Compact. HB 416 passed the House back in February by a vote of 88 - 3. However, the Senate refused to support the legislation until the House passed SJR 8 with the necessary three-fifths majority required for it to appear on the ballot in November. Sponsored by Sen. Tim Grendell, SJR 8 is a proposed constitutional amendment to ensure private water would not be considered "public trust" under the Great Lakes Compact.
It took Congress overriding two vetoes by President Bush, but Congress finally enacted the farm bill into law.
Governor Ted Strickland and the General Assembly have worked together to create a comprehensive energy plan. Known as Amended Substitute Senate Bill 221 (S.B. 221), the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and its members provided leadership in the process to support its passage.