State of Ohio Archives: on Environment


Jim Renacci: Reduce funding for Environmental Protection Administration

Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?

Sherrod Brown (D): No. Strongly opposes.

Jim Renacci (R): Yes. Voted for bill that reduced funding.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

Sherrod Brown: Maintain funding for Environmental Protection Administration

Q: Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?

Sherrod Brown (D): No. Strongly opposes.

Jim Renacci (R): Yes. Voted for bill that reduced funding.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Ohio Senate race Oct 9, 2018

John Kasich: Reduce Erie pollution with tougher fertilizer regulations

Farmers are firing back at Gov. John Kasich's executive order to implement tougher regulations on fertilizer and other farm runoff. The administration says these new requirements will help keep nutrients from polluting Lake Erie.

Since 2011, Ohio has spent more than $3 billion to keep Lake Erie clean. However, Gov. John Kasich says they're still not on target to greatly reduce the amount of phosphorus getting into Lake Erie.

Kasich ensures that this isn't meant to be over-regulation, but a way to spell out what needs to be done to help Lake Erie. "This is just requiring farmers to figure out a way to manage their land in a more environmentally friendly way. I believe the farmers want to do that. Sometimes some of them don't know exactly what that means so to put a plan in place where we can help fund them on whatever it takes to do that makes a lot of sense," Kasich says. But Ohio's agriculture industry opposes this move, seeing it as government overreach.

Source: Ohio Statehouse News on 2020 presidential hopefuls Jul 18, 2018

John Kasich: Mandate best practices to reduce farm fertilizer runoff

[To keep Lake Erie clean from fertilizer runoff], Gov. Kasich has a plan he says can lead to mandating best practices for using nutrients. Kasich signed an executive order naming eight watersheds in distress. This designation triggers certain regulations for farmers to follow.

In the past five years, the General Assembly has passed several pieces of legislation that address the issue of farmland runoff. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation says they supported those bills and were included in the process. But for this executive order, the farm bureau says the Kasich administration didn't seek their input.

In May, Kasich threatened to take this kind of unilateral action on the issue, saying the western basin of the lake, where toxic algae blooms have developed, is impaired. But Republicans in the legislature say they're opposed to the executive order because they feel this should be addressed by the House and Senate.

Source: Ohio Statehouse News on 2020 presidential hopefuls Jul 18, 2018

Mike Gibbons: Fight EPA regulatory over-reach

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?

A: Strongly support

Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Ohio Senate candidate Apr 24, 2018

Jim Renacci: Reduce Washington's adversarial red tape on farms

Agriculture is the backbone of our state's economy and one of the most important economic drivers in the 16th District, which is home to more than 5,000 farms.

The agriculture industry is facing numerous overly burdensome regulations that are threatening our farmers' ability to remain competitive and productive in the 21st century. I consistently hear from farmers in my district about the need to reduce Washington's red tape, bring down the cost of fuel, and keep taxes low.

I recognize that farmers and ranchers' well-being and ability to remain competitive rely on bountiful lands, healthy livestock, and a Federal Government that acts as a partner instead of an adversary. I will continue to be a strong advocate for Ohio's farmers and understand the importance of ensuring that they have the tools they need to produce a stable and affordable food supply.

Source: 2018 Ohio gubernatorial campaign website renacci.house.gov May 2, 2017

John Kasich: $2.5B invested in cleaning Lake Erie, and keep it clean

This region continues to generate good memories for hundreds of thousands who come here for the recreation, the resources, and the hospitality Lake Erie coast is known for.

And we're investing a lot in our lake--Randy Gardner is always on top of that--and our coastal resources to make the water cleaner and keep it that way. About two and half billion dollars have been invested in Lake Erie since the start of the Administration. Yes, we want to make it cleaner, and we aim to keep it clean. And I hope those that come after me will realize this is the great, great jewel of the state of Ohio, and that's the great Lake Erie.

These are investments in water and natural resources, the quality of life, but of course they're also an investment in economic growth because we know that when we take care of the world around us it becomes another reason for job creators to want to put down roots here and want to grow.

Source: 2017 Ohio State of the State address Apr 5, 2017

Joe Schiavoni: $100M to address water quality with sewer improvements

Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni introduced Senate Joint Resolution 4 (SJR 4), a bipartisan resolution to address water quality issues and create jobs throughout Ohio. The resolution would permit the state to issue bonds for sewer and water capital improvements for municipal corporations, counties, townships and other governmental entities. The resolution is identical to Senator Schiavoni's widely supported Senate Joint Resolution 3, which received hearings--but no vote--in the 131st General Assembly.

If Ohio voters approve this resolution, the General Assembly would be able to authorize up to $100 million per fiscal year over a 10-year period for sewer and water capital improvements, for a total investment of $1 billion. This plan would not raise taxes.

"Ohio's underground infrastructure is deteriorating rapidly," said Leader Schiavoni. "Current funding sources cannot keep up with the rising costs of critical infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.."

Source: OhioSenate.gov on Pennsylvania voting record SJR4 Mar 2, 2017

Ted Strickland: Safeguard clean air and water for future generations

Q: Do you support the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to enforce strong clean air and clean water standards?

Ted Strickland: I support efforts to enforce clean air and water standards because I believe climate change is a real and pressing problem, and that we must take action to address this challenge. We need to position Ohio to take advantage of all the benefits a clean energy economy can bring: more jobs, cheaper electricity, and better public health. Additionally, since Ohio's natural resources are such an important part of what makes our state a great place to live, work and start a family, and since these resources closely linked to our economic growth, I believe we have a responsibility to safeguard these resources for future generations.

Source: Vote411.org League of Women Voters on 2016 Ohio Senate Race Sep 19, 2016

Josh Mandel: Environmental regulations beyond common sense; killing jobs

Mandel said he sees the need for environmental regulation. "I believe we need regulation in this country to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the environment for our kids and grandkids," he said. "My problem with the regulation coming out of Washington is I believe it's gone beyond common sense and now it's killing jobs in our state."
Source: Cleveland Plain-Dealer on 2022 Ohio Senate race Aug 27, 2012

Josh Mandel: Environmental regulations beyond common sense; killing jobs

Mandel said he sees the need for environmental regulation. "I believe we need regulation in this country to protect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the environment for our kids and grandkids," he said. "My problem with the regulation coming out of Washington is I believe it's gone beyond common sense and now it's killing jobs in our state."
Source: The Cleveland Plain-Dealer on 2022 Ohio Senate race Aug 27, 2012

Eric Fingerhut: Aggressive effort to increase clean air