by Jennifer Garrison
Feb. 19, 2005

During my campaign I talked a lot about communicating my voting record to the public and in this way being accountable to you, the voters. I also want to keep the public informed about what I am working on because I recognize I am your voice and your vote in Columbus.

This week the Education Committee heard sponsor testimony by Rep. Hartnett on House Bill 35. Hartnett is a former school superintendent and in his fourth term in the Ohio House.

House Bill 35 would change the deadline date by which achievement tests must be given. Today the first day of these tests must be administered no later than the Monday of the week of March 8. This bill moves the date back to May 1.

This gives our children nearly two additional months to learn the material for the grade they are attending. I believe this is a very good bill. If a child is taking the fourth-grade proficiency test, he or she will be tested on the entire curriculum for the fourth grade. However the test is usually given in February or March and there are three more months of school left. By moving the testing date back two months the children actually have time to learn the material.

I was notified by the minority leader this week I have been appointed to four special committees. They include the Muskingum River Advisory Council; the Technology Advisory Committee to Assist the Director of the Ohio Coal Development Office; the Ohio SchoolNet Commission; and the Council on Unreclaimed Strip Mined Lands.

The Muskingum River Advisory Council provides coordination among governmental subdivisions and state agencies involved in the dredging and debris removal of the Muskingum River. The council also coordinates recreational and commercial development of and around the Muskingum River.

The Ohio Coal Development Office oversees the State Of Ohio's coal research, development and technology deployment efforts. Ohio needs coal. Coal fuels nearly 90 percent of Ohio's electricity generation and is a low cost domestic source of energy.

The Ohio SchoolNet is an independent state agency that administers technology needs in the classroom. This allows Ohio classrooms to access the Internet. SchoolNet also provides computers in the classrooms. I am very excited by this appointment as there are many schools in this district with insufficient technology.

The Council on Unreclaimed Strip Mined Lands provides support to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral Resources. The council provides support for the continued reclamation of abandoned mined lands and clean-up of water adversely affected by pre-law mining practices. Historically, most of the problems brought about by abandoned mined lands in Ohio were created in Appalachia.

This week the Ohio House of Representatives voted to provide high school diplomas to all Ohio Vietnam veterans who left high school to serve our country. Ohio already provides this same courtesy to World War II Veterans and Korean War Veterans. I voted "Yes" on this legislation. You may remember this legislation was voted out of the Education Committee last week.

The Public Utilities and Energy Committee and the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will meet in the next two weeks.

I would like to invite constituents to continue to share your concerns with me regarding pending legislation or any other legislative matters. You can reach me at my Columbus office at 614-644-8728 or in the district at (740) 373-2414 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .