Dear Constituents,

I hope you are enjoying the warm weather springing up around us

in Southeast Ohio! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule
to come and meet with me during my 2010 Listening Tour. I am glad to
have had the opportunity to hear about your concerns and ideas. When
we met, I said I would send a report to you, showing the results and the
issues most important to people in the 92nd district. This report is a sum-
mary of those issues.

I began the tour on March 4th in McConnelsville, and traveled

throughout the district, until reaching Bartlett’s Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment on April 17th. At each stop along the tour, I spent nearly 2 hours
hearing what members of the community felt most needed to be ad-
dressed at the Statehouse. After making a list of each issue mentioned, I
asked everyone to vote for the three issues most important to you. By
the end of the Listening Tour, close to 200 people had come to be a part
of the process.

The top three issues were Local & Community Development, Eco-
nomic Development & Jobs, and Healthcare. Given the tough economic
climate in Ohio and throughout the country, these three issues unsurpris-
ingly received the most votes by large margins. Attached, you will find
the report of the voting results from the entire Listening Tour. The report
has the breakdown of all the issues that were voted on and the specific
comments on the issues. Also included are the best ways for you to con-
tact me if you have comments, questions or further input for me as I
continue working for you at the Statehouse. Feel free to get in touch
with me; I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Thanks for your help in moving Ohio forward!

CONTACT
Columbus Office
92nd District
77 South High Street
11th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 466-2158
Toll-free: (800) 282-0253
Fax: (614) 719-6992
Or E-mail At:
district92@ohr.state.oh.us
Debbie Phillips
Inside the 2010 Accountability Report:
Need an Electronic-copy of
this report? Visit the 2010
Cover: Executive Report
Listening Tour Website at:
Page 2: Voting Results - Top 10 Issues
Page 3: Voting Results - All Issues
Listeningtour92.wordpress.com
Page 4-5: How I’m working for you on the Top 10
Page 6: Wrap-Up, Contact Information, Thank
Yous!
May 2010 State Rep. Debbie Phillips Page 2

The Voting: Top 10 Issues

High-Level Issue: Votes Sub Issues Votes

Healthcare 67 Healthcare 67
Economic Development/Jobs 118 Small Business Development 18
Economic Development 40
Jobs/Workforce Development 60
Local/Community Development 115 Community Development 21
Local Services (Libraries/Police/Fire) 14
Township/Local Government Funding 23
Stimulus / Grants 10
Roads/Infrastructure Development 47
Education 46 Education 13
School Funding 33
Rural Development (Broadband, Cell Phone) 31 Broadband/Cell Phone Service 31
State Government 66 Regulation 10
Veterans and Mental Health Services 17
State Budget/Fees/Taxes 9
Government Accountability/Reform 30
Water/Environmental Protection 24 Water/Environmental Protection 24
Agriculture/Local Food Security 22 Agriculture/Local Food Security 22
Advanced Energy/Manufacturing 19 Advanced Energy/Manufacturing 19
Other 15 Other 15
May 2010 State Rep. Debbie Phillips Page 3

The Issues: All issues which received votes from the meetings
Opposed to Insurance Mandates
3C Rail Concerns
ORVs in State Parks
Advanced Energy/Manufacturing
Other Local Concerns
Agriculture/Local Food Security
Out of State Contractors
American Made products needed
PASSPORT
AMP Plant needed in Meigs
Pawn Shops
Banks are not lending
People Leaving the area
Bedford VFD Project
Property Taxes - too high
Better Local Signage Needed
Public Safety Concerns
Broadband/Cell Phone Service
Recreation for Families, Kids
Campaign Finance Reform
Reform Competitive Bidding
Capital Budget Questions
Regulation
2010 Census
Remove Term Limits
Community Development
Roads/Infrastructure Development
Economic Development
School Funding
Education - Non Funding
Septic Regulation
Eliminate Double Dipping
Energy Efficiency Sharing Leftover grind from ODOT with Local
Governments
Energy Policy
Small Business Development
Federal Issues/Concerns
State Bank Should Exist
Foreclosure Prevention
State Budget Need to be looked at carefully
Gas Prices
State Budget/Fees/Taxes
Government Accountability/Reform
State Retirement Systems
Government Reform
State Sovereignty concerns
Grant Assistance/Matching concerns
State Workers - Pay Parity
Healthcare
Stimulus / Grants
Jobs/Workforce Development
Stop Spending $ on Fast Food
Legislature Too Partisan
Taxes - need to be more fair
Library Funding
Tourism Promotion needed
Local Projects/Concerns
Township/Local Government Funding
Local Services (Libraries/Police/Fire)
Utilities concerns
Local Term Limits
Veterans and Mental Health Services
Mental Health Services
VFD Training Requirements
More help for middle-age, middle income indi- Water/Environmental Protection
viduals
May 2010 State Rep. Debbie Phillips Page 4

Top 10 Issues: How I’m working for you

Jobs and Economic Development
Since taking office in January of 2009 my top priority has been working to bring jobs and economic develop-
ment to southeastern Ohio. The House passed a budget that included funds to train workers, provide ad-
ditional tax incentives for new and expanding businesses and invest in the infrastructure needed
to attract businesses to the State.

Ohio led the nation in new business facility investments last year and we must continue to ensure we lead.
The House placed the Ohio Third Frontier on the May 4th ballot and the voters have approved an expan-
sion of the program which will lead to additional clean energy and high-tech jobs to maintain our manufac-
turing strength and begin rebuilding American prosperity right here in southeastern Ohio.

Local and Community Development

Since the beginning of my term, Nelsonville received the largest stimulus project in the state valued at $150
million, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been invested in water and sewer systems in villages and cit-
ies and ODOT has recently announced their largest construction season ever. My office has also submitted
2011-2012 Capital Funding requests for several community projects across the district.

The 2010 Listening Tour has also raised many concerns which I have begun to explore, including the unre-
alistic match requirements on many government grant programs and how we can work to ensure better
funding for our local government entities, especially townships.

Healthcare
While the healthcare reform at the federal level overshadowed state efforts for common-sense reform, the
Ohio House passed several measures in the last budget aimed at expanding access to insurance and holding
insurance companies responsible for covering common health treatments.

Under new Ohio laws, insurance companies must allow dependants to remain on their parents insurance un-
til the age of 28 and they must provide an open window for coverage to those with pre-existing condi-
tions. The House has also passed bills requiring companies to cover basic diabetes management supplies
and education, autism treatment, and is considering a bill to require coverage of colonoscopies. These bills
await action in the Ohio Senate.

Education
Despite the tough budget process, Governor Strickland and the General Assembly were able to come to-
gether to pass historic education reform in Ohio. Once fully implemented, the new Evidence-Based
Model will increase funding to rural schools and decrease our dependence on property taxes for local
schools. The new model also incorporates a Senior Project into new Ohio graduation requirements, elimi-
nates the OGT and provides a more comprehensive educational experience for our children.

Due to the current fiscal situation, the reforms are being implemented over a 10 year period—but many rural
schools will see an increase in funding next year. It will take all of us working together to ensure the re-
forms remain intact into future years and that we keep our promise to our students!

Rural Development—Including Broadband and Cell Service

Congressman Zack Space has been coordinating efforts to bring broadband internet to the parts of south-
eastern Ohio without it. I will continue working with him to provide any state assistance possible. South-
eastern Ohio is also too often left with little or no cell phone service—as companies expand their cellular net-
works, I will continue to push for inclusion of our area.
May 2010 State Rep. Debbie Phillips Page 5

Top 10 Issues: How I’m working for you

State Government and the Budget
The most recent budget, passed in July 2009, required the House and Senate to make up a $3.2 BILLION
deficit. Unlike the federal government, the State is required to balance its budget. The House worked
to protect services for the most vulnerable, enact school funding reform and streamline government activi-
ties and services. I voted for a budget which achieved all these things without raising taxes.

Since Governor Strickland took office in 2007, the State has worked to control costs, worked to use tech-
nology for more efficient operation, reduced energy usage, limited food purchases and found millions of dol-
lars in savings based on input from individual offices and employees. The House has also cut our budget,
and I, along with the majority of my colleagues, voted to reduce our own pay to share in the cuts faced
by other State employees.

Water and Environmental Protection

One of southeastern Ohio’s great assets is our environment and natural resources. These resources are
important to tourism, quality of life and economic development. We have a duty to use our natural re-
sources in an efficient and responsible manner. I voted for SB 155 to restore some funding to local
Soil and Water conservation districts and I have worked closely with mining companies, AEP and environ-
mental groups to ensure we are approaching development plans in a way which will ensure the continued
health of our natural environment.

Agriculture and Local Food Security

There are many pressures on American farmers. But in southeastern Ohio, many communities are holding
on to that heritage; we need to ensure our local farmers have the resources they need to provide local food
to the area. As organic farming sees a rise in popularity, we have a chance to strengthen our local food
economy and create jobs in the process.

I have worked to bring people together to discuss the strong local food economy in the area. I brought
constituents to Columbus to meet with high-level officials from the department of agriculture, and the local
roundtable meetings have created many relationships and partnerships which can strengthen our local
agricultural base.

Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing

Ohio became the manufacturing powerhouse it once was due to our abundance of affordable energy. Ohio
can continue to focus on manufacturing—but it will be advanced manufacturing and clean energy that will
help us stay strong. The Ohio Department of Development has placed its focus on key areas of development
which will build on the strength of the infrastructure and workforce we already have.

As the nation moves towards clean and advanced energy, Ohio can be the state that produces the solar pan-
els, wind turbines, hydroelectric parts and other equipment necessary to help our nation reduce our de-
pendence on foreign energy sources. We can shed the “rustbelt” image and become America’s “Energy
Gateway”. The programs are in place. And as the economy improves, we’ll see the benefits of that strong
foundation.

Other Issues
Many people also brought up issues related to the federal government. I have worked to develop relation-
ships with our two local congressmen, Zack Space and Charlie Wilson, as well as Senators Voinovich and
Brown. It is only by bringing all levels of government together that we can achieve the local, state and fed-
eral progress our area needs.
 Thank you for taking the time to find out what your friends, family and
neighbors told me during my recent 2010 Listening Tour. If you have
questions or concerns about this report or would like to speak to me
about a state issue, here is my contact information:

Mail Phone Online

State Rep Debbie Phillips 614-466-2158 district92@ohr.state.oh.us

Riffe Center, 11th Floor 740-592-2008 www.house.state.oh.us
77 S High St 800-282-0253
Columbus, OH 43215 614-719-6992 (FAX)

Columbus, OH 43215
77 S. High St
Riffe Center, 11th Floor
State Representative Debbie Phillips

A special thank you to the
following people and organizations
for all their assistance with the
2010 Listening Tour:
Kate Love Simpson Library
Federal Valley Resource Center
Lottridge Community Center
Coolville Fire Chief
Rutland VFD
Village of Middleport
Belpre Lions Club
Warren Local Schools
Cutler Community Center
Village of Albany
Trimble Local Schools
Rocky Boots Wesley Twp Volunteer Fire Department
Waterloo Volunteer Fire Department Mike and Joyce Lorentz
Southern Local Schools Bruce Kelbaugh
Village of Pomeroy Lana Tabler
Shade Community Center Association Sally Jo Willey
Athens Friends Meeting Mike and Jane Broecker
Athens Community Center Dottie Singer
City of Belpre Stan Starling
Athens Public Library John Musser
Pomeroy Public Library Tony Deem
The Plains Public Library Fran Moxley
Tuppers Plains Vol Fire Department Mila Raymond
Chester Courthouse Association Meredith Tucker
Portland Community Center Kennan Castel-Fodor
Stockport Mill Inn Matt Lorz
Chesterhill Lions Club Nate Hall
Barlow Public Library And many more….