Gubernatorial Race

• Elimination of the Governor’s Workforce Policy Advisory Board. It would be replaced with a new group reporting to the governor and empowered with policy- and budget-making authority; and
• Create easy-to-access systems for businesses. A single online portal would be created for businesses to tap into work-force training resources offered by different agencies. In addition, Ohio’s 20 regional job training systems would be branded in a unified manner to eliminate confusion for businesses working across the state.

Kasich also sits down one-on-one with WYTV 33:

After retiring from Congress in 2001, John Kasich turned to the private sector — working in investment banking and hosting programs on the FOX News Channel. But two years ago, he jumped into the game again, telling us “this is what I’m supposed to do now.”
Kasich is now heading into the home stretch of his challenge to Governor Ted Strickland, claiming voters are looking for a change in leadership. Kasich told our Gerry Ricciutti in a one-on-one interview, voters “had a guy who had four years to turn it around and bring employment out there, and there hasn’t been any — and that’s how they’re judging it.”[…]
In the spirit of fairness, we have contacted the Strickland camp –offering him equal time as well — and when we get that interview, we’ll bring it to you.
  • And India is not pleased with Strickland’s attempt to keep jobs in Ohio:
India has criticized a ban imposed by the U.S. state of Ohio on outsourcing of government projects to offshore locations. India feels this signals the rise of protectionist sentiment in the U.S.
General Motors North America President Mark Reuss joined Gov. Ted Strickland and other local and state leaders at the Lordstown assembly plant Wednesday to mark the production launch of the Chevrolet Cruze, GM’s much-anticipated new compact.
GM is counting on the Cruze to help the automaker compete with such popular small-car brands as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
And Northeast Ohio is counting on GM’s new compact car to create jobs and help speed up the region’s economic recovery.
“It’s always the auto industry in Ohio that pulls the rest of the country out of recession,” said U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. “And that day begins today, right in this plant.”

Senatorial Race

  • Retiring Senator George Voinovich goes rogue and backs Obama’s proposal:
Republican Ohio Sen. George Voinovich’s decision to support a package of small business proposals backed by President Obama instantly created an issue in the state’s competitive Senate race to replace the retiring lawmaker.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Voinovich said he would no longer support GOP efforts to delay the measure. “We don’t have time for messaging,” Voinovich said. “We don’t have time anymore. This country is really hurting.”

House Races

Representative Steve Driehaus welcomed an announcement Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education of $18,732,941 in funding to save teachers’ jobs in Ohio’s First Congressional District for the 2010-2011 school year. This funding was included as part of the Education Jobs Fund which Congress approved last month.
Because Mr. Boccieri, along with seven other Democrats, switched his vote to insure the bill’s passage, his task is more challenging than most. Not only does he face opposition from those who dislike the health care law on its merits, but he has stoked cynicism about his independence from President Obama and the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, both of whom are unpopular in this conservative-leaning district.