National Urban League's Marc Morial Joins Ohio State Senators to Promote Job Creation

COLUMBUS, OHIO (November 1, 2011)  -- National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial today joined Ohio state senators Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati), Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) and Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus) for the introduction of Forward Ohio, a new economic development plan that will help Ohio's unemployed and position the state's economy for growth.

“As we enter the third year of the national jobs crisis, it’s clear that the nation cannot recover without targeted measures to address unemployment in the hardest-hit communities,”said Morial. “I commend Senators Kearney, Turner and Tavares for recognizing what needs to be done and fighting for the communities they represent.  Our Ohio affiliates, led by Stephanie Hightower of Columbus, Marsha Mockabee of Cleveland and Vince Watts of Canton, will help lead the way in urging the Ohio legislature to pass the bill and fight for unemployed Ohioans.”

Forward Ohio will focus on finding a creative and sustainable package of policies that will help connect the jobless with employment opportunities while investing in the state’s economic future.

“There is no question that Ohioans across the state have suffered a great deal due to the down spiral of the economy,”said Senator Kearney. “However, it is my hope that this legislation returns the focus back what is most important—rejuvenating the Ohio economic landscape. I look forward to partnering with my senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to push this legislation forward.”

“This General Assembly has spent too much time dealing with the effects of the economic downturn and too little on fixing the economy itself,”said Senator Turner. “Through this bill, we want to refocus the conversation on this challenge and bring all of the state’s resources to bear in working toward a solution and putting Ohio back on the path to prosperity.  The longer we wait, the further we fall behind –it is imperative that we get our state moving forward once again.”

The bill has been designed as a four-point legislative plan that will:

• Help small businesses compete and expand,
• Position Ohio’s economy for future growth,
• Create pathways to employment for the long-term unemployed, veterans and youth, and
• Stabilize and revitalize our communities.

More information about Foreward Ohio is available at www.ohiosenate.gov/eric-kearney.html or www.ohiosenate.gov/nina-turner.html.

Morial was in Columbus today to kick off the Ohio leg of the National Urban League's ongoing national jobs tour, aimed at supporting unemployed Americans and promoting job creation measures at the local and national levels. Follow the tour and learn about the National Urrban League's 12-Point Plan to Put Urban America Back to Work at www.iamempowered.com.