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Plan aims to cut energy red tape

Bureaucracy exists to serve itself, rather than the taxpaying public. Bureaucrats can wield licenses, permits, deadlines and other forms of red tape like precision weapons. Their zeal in doing so has bogged down our economic diversification and growth for far too long. But a plan presented by U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., could speed things back up, at least for one sector. The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 is meant to eliminate some of the time and hoops that stall energy projects of all kinds. “The United States of America is blessed with ...

Assault funding is a good start

On at least one front, Gov. Mike DeWine has maintained the tenacity he displayed as Ohio’s attorney general. His office continues to support efforts to hold accountable those who commit sexual assault. In February, DeWine launched the Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program, to be awarded through the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services. Earlier this month, the program awarded nearly $900,000 for law enforcement organizations, prosecutors and victim advocacy groups. The Forensic Nursing Network will get more than $244,000 for training ...

Art money will help area groups

Schools and communities that value and support the arts and arts education understand such things are not a luxury. The arts are essential. Fortunately, it appears state officials and lawmakers understand that, too. This year, the Ohio Arts Council has been supported to the degree that it was able to approve a record $22.7 million in arts grants — 935 of them to Buckeye State artists and arts organizations. It is the largest single round of grants distributed to OAC funding applicants in the agency’s history. “On behalf of the board, the Ohio Arts Council thanks Gov. Mike ...

State tax holidays provide a break

Ohio and West Virginia are preparing to welcome back-to-school shoppers with sales tax holidays. And while residents of both states have become accustomed to that yearly break as they prepare to send their children back to the classrooms, Ohioans will see one big change: This year’s tax holiday has been expanded, and will run from midnight Tuesday through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 8. That’s a week and a half for families to take advantage of tax-free purchases — made in-person or online — of eligible items up to $500. West Virginians, meanwhile, will get their sales tax holiday from ...

Special emphasis on blood drive

The need for blood is great throughout the year, and area residents always are willing to step up whenever a call for donors is made. And, while every collection is important, officials with the American Red Cross of the Ohio Valley are placing special emphasis on a drive that is scheduled to be held Monday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center on Market Street in Steubenville. All area residents are encouraged to donate, but the Red Cross is encouraging African Americans to participate. By doing so, they might be helping those who suffer from sickle cell anemia. ...

AED requirement will help save lives

From high-profile nationally broadcast incidents to small-town tragedies that fly under the radar, each of us can think of a situation in which a sudden cardiac arrest might have resulted in a very different outcome if an automated external defibrillator had been on the premises. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine has signed House Bill 47, requiring AEDs in every public and chartered nonpublic school in the state, in addition to municipally owned or operated sports or recreation venues. DeWine signed the bill at Worthington Kilbourne High School in Columbus, where he was joined by ...