Displaying items by tag: Sherrod Brown

Jasen and Bobbi caught up with NFL.com's Nick Shook to talk Browns and Panthers and US Senator Sherrod Brown at 9:15 talked about Cleveland Indians great Larry Doby.

The Lordstown General Motors plant will officially close its doors March first of next year, per WFMJ out of Youngstown.

The TV station's reporting that employees of the GM plant, that's been open since 1966, were notified of the closure date in a meeting this morning, right after a report that GM is closing it's Canadian plant.

Back in 2017, GM announced that it was cutting it's third shift at the Lordstown plant, which reduced the plant's staff by about 12-hundred employees. Back in April of this year, another 15-hundred employees were cut from the staff after they were told production would be cut down to one shift per day, leaving a little more than 14-hundred employees left on staff. In July, GM pointed to new tariffs on the auto industry as "detrimental" to their company.

Word from WFMJ is that the head of the UAW said that they will "keep fighting" to get keep that Lordstown plant up and running. 

Meanwhile, there's been reaction from state, local, and federal leaders, including U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown from Ohio who released the following statement: 

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown today blasted General Motors’ decision to lay off its final shift of workers and close its Lordstown plant in March of 2019. Earlier this year, GM announced plans to build the new Chevy Blazer in Mexico on the same day the company ended the second shift at a plant. GM received record tax breaks as a result of the GOP’s tax bill last year, and has eliminated jobs instead of using that tax windfall to invest in American workers.

“The workers at Lordstown are the best at what they do, and it’s clear once again that GM doesn’t respect them. Ohio taxpayers rescued GM, and it’s shameful that the company is now abandoning the Mahoning Valley and laying off workers right before the holidays. Even worse, the company reaped a massive tax break from last year’s GOP tax bill and failed to invest that money in American jobs, choosing to build its Blazer in Mexico,” said Brown. “GM owes the community answers on how the rest of the supply chain will be impacted and what consequences its disastrous decision will have on the Mahoning Valley and our state. My office stands ready to do everything we can to help these workers. This decision is corporate greed at its worst.”

GM has eliminated nearly 3,000 jobs at the plant over the last two years. After the GOP tax overhaul, GM is able to bring their $6.9 billion in overseas cash back to the U.S. at less than half of the tax rate the corporation would formerly have paid, and immediately deduct the cost of any new investments in plant and equipment. Despite these tax cuts and the company’s record revenues as reported in their 2016 SEC filing, GM is still moving forward with the Lordstown layoffs.

Brown has been a champion of workers at the GM plant. In April, when GM announced plans for layoffs in Lordstown, Brown wrote to GM CEO Mary Barra condemning the layoffs and urging GM to reverse its decision by using the tax windfall the company received from the recent tax cuts to invest in the Lordstown facility and its workers. Brown also took to the Senate floor to call on GM to invest in Ohio workers.

Brown has demanded answers from GM, arguing that Ohioans deserve answers as to why the Lordstown plant is cutting jobs despite having more cash on hand following the GOP tax cuts. Brown said GM cannot pocket billions of dollars in tax cuts and turn around and fire Ohio workers whose livelihoods depend on these jobs.

Brown has spoken with GM CEO Mary Barra and President Trump about the plant directly. Brown and Barra met in Brown’s office on June 5.

Earlier this year, Brown introduced his American Cars, American Jobs Act, as a way to support Ohio’s auto industry and keep auto jobs in America. Brown’s legislation would:

· Give customers a $3,500 discount when they buy cars made in America. This would cover all passenger vehicles made in Ohio and nearly 100 cars and trucks nationwide.

· Revoke a GOP tax cut on overseas profits from auto manufacturers that ship jobs overseas.

On the Friday edition of the Jasen Sokol Show Podcast, Jasen caught up with Senator Sherrod Brown,17 seconds in. 

Nick Shook from NFL.com to talk Browns at 12:17

Austin Ward from Lettermen Row on the Ohio State Buckeyes at 20:15

and Michael Beaven from the Akron Beacon Journal to talk Week 1 of the High School Football playoffs at 28:52.

U.S. Representative Jim Renacci is dropping Ohio Governor's Race to challenge Sherrod Brown in the U.S. Senate Race in Ohio.

In a statement released Thursday, Renacci said he attended a meeting at the White House earlier this week, when he was asked to drop out of the Governor's race, and run for U.S. Senate.

The former Republican challenger to Brown, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced he is suspending his campaign for the U.S. Senate due to his wife's health. 

Below is the is the official statement from the Renacci Campaign: 

Dear Friends, 

As many of you know, after spending most of my career in the business world, a few years ago I chose to run for Congress because I was deeply concerned over the direction of our country and its lack of accountable leadership in Washington. 

Having grown up on the cusp of poverty in western Pennsylvania, and later dedicated myself to raising a family and growing businesses across Ohio, entering the political arena was never part of the path that I envisioned for my life.  However, it was sense of duty to restoring effective, conservative leadership to government that drove me into national politics in the first place—and it’s that sense of duty that has guided my approach towards public service ever since. 

And as many of you also know, several months ago, after witnessing years of dysfunction in Washington, I announced my intention to leave the House of Representatives to run for Governor Ohio.  Yet, while I believe as firmly today as I did then that my decades of experience in the business world would deliver needed stewardship to our state, true leadership requires a willingness to always put country first and answer a call to action in service to the nation.

Earlier this week I was asked to attend a meeting at the White House, at which I was asked to help protect the future of President Trump’s agenda by entering Ohio’s 2018 race for the United States Senate.  While my strong distaste for Washington and the political establishment is as fervent as ever, so too is my commitment to advancing the President’s agenda for a stronger and more prosperous America. And for that reason I’ve agreed to answer the call to service and enter the race for United States Senate. The drive to change the status quo is stronger than ever and I couldn’t be more grateful for the support I have received from Amy Murray, who served as the Lieutenant Governor candidate on our ticket, and who will now serve as the statewide Chair of my campaign for the United States Senate.

Over the coming weeks and months ahead I look forward to offering Ohioans a clear alternative to far left, career politician Sherrod Brown and earning the support of voters in every corner our state.  I thank you sincerely for your support and please keep an eye out for news coming directly from our Senate campaign, which we are launching today.  It will be a true honor to serve as your next United States Senator.  

-Jim

Reaction pouring in to the news Ralph Regula died at the age of 92.

The Navarre native was a 36-year veteran of Congress before he retired in 2009, leaving behind a legacy worth hundreds of millions of dollars through his influence as a leading member of the House Appropriations Committee. The Republican Regula and Akron Democrat colleague John Seiberling proved to be a powerful combination in the creation of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area in the 70s, now standing as one of the most-visited sites in the country as the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Regula and his wife Mary were also untiring advocates for the legacy of Canton's President William McKinley, even to the point of calling then-President Barack Obama a "dictator" for changing the name of Mount McKinkley National Park to Denali National Park to recognize native names for America's highest peak in Alaska.

Regula was known best as a political moderate who fought for social programs as well as fiscally-conservative policies, and was unafraid to reach across the aisle to seek agreement with opponents. Among those reacting is Attorney General Mike DeWine, who served in Congress with Regula, who called him a "model of a dedicated public servant" who even preferred to be called a "representative to Congress" rather than Congressman.

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(U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown) "Without Ralph, there would be no Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Without Ralph and Mary, there would be no First Ladies Historic Site in Canton. Those are just two bookends on an incredible life dedicated to public service. "Ralph was kind, effective, and always delivered for Ohio. I knew him well after our 15 years serving together, and loved every opportunity to see him. With his vote against NAFTA and so many others, Ralph put the working people of Ohio ahead of Washington politics. "Connie and I send our deepest condolences to Mary and their family. He'll be missed."

(U.S. Senator Rob Portman) "I was so sorry to hear of Ralph Regula's passing. What a great American. I am, today, offering my condolences to Mary and his entire family. Ralph Regula was small in stature but a giant of a man. An amazing public servant, he served in the United States Navy, and then he served in the United States House of Representatives for three decades. He loved Ohio, and he loved his hometown Nevarre, Ohio. He was a great champion for education. That was one his real passions. He and Mary both were tireless in their advocacy that everyone have the opportunity to get ahead through a good education. We're going to miss Ralph. He leaves a big void in Northeast Ohio—and our state and our country—and we offer our condolences to the family and hope that Ralph Regula's model of legislating—working on both sides of the aisle and getting things done—will be something that others can emulate."

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(Secretary of State Jon Husted) “With the passing of Ralph Regula, Ohio has lost a devoted public servant and leader. From his days at the Ohio Statehouse to his many years on Capitol Hill, Ralph set a standard for service and dignity that we should all aspire to achieve. In addition to being a model public servant, he was also a devoted husband and father. Tina and I send our thoughts and prayers to his family at this time.”

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(State Auditor Dave Yost) “Ralph Regula was a true public servant, a man who put community above self. For 36 years, Ralph worked tirelessly in Congress to build relationships, forge consensus and break through bureaucracy to improve lives. His advocacy for Ohio was legend. Darlene and I extend our condolences to the Regula family.”

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(Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine) "Fran and I extend our deepest sympathy to Mary Regula, and to the children and grandchildren of former Congressman Ralph Regula. "Ralph was the model of a dedicated public servant. Instead of being called a Congressman, he preferred the term ‘representative to Congress.’ And throughout his 36 years in the U.S. House, he represented the people of Stark County and northeast Ohio incredibly well."His sense of public stewardship is reflected in the many projects he worked on including the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area, the Ohio and Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, the University of Mount Union and Stark State College."He and his wife, Mary, were the driving forces behind the National First Ladies Library in Canton, which honors the contributions of America’s First Ladies."With his senior position on the Appropriations Committee, and his role as the ‘Dean’ of the Ohio Delegation to Congress, he was a very effective advocate for our great state. There were many times I would go to him to ask for help on matters impacting other parts of Ohio and he always fought for them."Ralph Regula never forgot where he came from, and loved to return to his farm in Stark County. "Fran and I will miss our friend, but know that his legacy will live on through his family and the many public projects he was a part of." 

Reaction to the passing of Summit County Executive Russ Pry was quick on Sunday; Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said he would "...miss his leadership and his ability to bring people together" and credited Pry's personality to bring people together.

Congressman Tim Ryan calls Pry "...first and foremost...a dear friend, a thoughtful, compassionate human being who always put the good of the people ahead of politics."

Senator Sherrod Brown noted Pry's loss is "...will be felt by all those whose lives were made better by his service to his community.”

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Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan: “I’ve lost a great friend much too early. We will all miss his leadership and his ability to bring people together. Russ had an uncanny knack for empathizing and identifying with all people, regardless of their age, race, gender, orientation or creed, making him well-loved by all. Personally, I will miss his friendship, his quick wit and his invaluable advice.”

U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan: "Russ first and foremost was a dear friend, a thoughtful, compassionate human being who always put the good of the people ahead of politics.

I have never seen a better leader than Russ Pry, who made local government work efficiently and effectively for the people he represented. He had no ego and always brought people together to make lives better for ordinary people.There is a huge hole in Summit County today and a huge hole in my heart as well--one that can never be filled. But we can all learn from how Russ conducted himself; always with humility, always responsibly and, for those of us in public life, always making sure government was creating opportunity for those who were looking to get ahead in life.Andrea and I extend our deepest sympathies to Russ' family and his amazing group of friends and coworkers who know better than anyone the amazing gifts that Russ brought to the people of Summit County.He was a friend, a leader, a generous and brilliant public servant lost too soon."

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown: “Connie and I are saddened to hear of Russ’s passing and offer our deepest sympathies to his family and the Summit County community. His loss will be felt by all those whose lives were made better by his service to his community.”

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper: “Ohio Democrats’ hearts are heavy today as we mourn the passing of our friend, Summit County Executive Russ Pry. Russ loved the people of Summit County and served them with an open heart and generous spirit, always fighting for progressive values. He was a great champion for Summit County Democrats, and he helped nurture the current generation of Democratic leaders. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.”

Now that Hillary Clinton is the nominee -- time for Democrats to rally the troops. Put Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown in that corner. Brown spoke with Ohio's Democratic delegation this morning on day 3 of the RNC. He says 90% of Bernie Sanders supporters poll in favor of Clinton, and thinks most will come on board by November.

The Cleveland Democrat wasn't shy about taking on Donald Trump on the issue of free trade and economic growth, noting that while Trump was scheduled for Toledo today it was the Democrats who saved auto manufacturing jobs. He also bashed Trump for portrayiing himself as a friend of working Americans with deep reservations about trade deals, noting many of the products bearing the Trump name aren't even made in the United States and much of Trump's wealth was based on business overseas.

Brown also described himself as "honored" going through the vetting for consideration as running mate, the post that eventually went to fellow Senator Tim Kaine, whom Brown describes as one of his closest friends in the Senate.