State Senator Bill Beagle
Beagle Legislation Provides Funds for Job Training, Workforce Development
Also, Lehner & Beagle seek to modernize state Jobs support 

COLUMBUS– State Senator Bill Beagle (R–Tipp City) today introduced the first piece of legislation for the new General Assembly. The legislation is aimed at helping Ohio’s unemployed and underemployed find work through continued education and job training. 

Senate Bill 1, which Beagle jointly introduced with State Senator Troy Balderson (R–Zanesville), authorizes a revolving fund, which will provide loans to Ohioans who need additional job training. The loans will be distributed to unemployed and underemployed individuals through public and private colleges, universities, and career centers. 

“Ohio has a very strong workforce,” added Beagle. “Still, we need to focus on equipping workers with the skills necessary to meet current employer demand so that we can reach our economic potential.” 

Under Beagle’s plan, participating schools and career centers will work closely with area businesses to facilitate quick job placement for their graduates.

“Ohio has seen marked success over the past two years on the economic front,” said Beagle. “With our unemployment rate more than 2 percent lower than it was two years ago, we have a lot to be proud of, but there is still work to be done.” 

$25 million in existing revenue from casino licensure fees will fund Beagle’s initiative. Each institution can apply for up to $100,000 per program and may loan as much as $10,000 to an individual student. 

Senators Lehner & Beagle

Bill aims to Streamline and Modernize Ohio’s Efforts to Pair Jobseekers with Jobs 

COLUMBUS– State Senators Peggy Lehner (R–Kettering) and Bill Beagle (R–Tipp City) today jointly introduced Senate Bill 2, which aims to modernize Ohio’s efforts to match jobseekers with work. 

“Ohio has made some great progress over the past two years at creating more economic opportunity for people who are out of work,” said Senator Lehner. “This legislation improves upon the success of the OhioMeansJobs program.” 

Senator Lehner serves as the Chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee where she has played an active role in reforming Ohio’s education system to properly prepare our young people for the workforce. 

The legislation links each of the 90 One-Stop centers across Ohio that are funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act to help Ohioans find jobs and connect them with training resources. By creating the partnership between the One-Stop centers and OhioMeansJobs, all Ohioans will be encouraged to use the statewide program where they will have access to a greater number of job opportunities. As of February 2013, there are approximately 100,000 open job listings on the OhioMeansJobs site. 

“The OhioMeansJobs initiative that we launched from the Statehouse last General Assembly has been highly successful in matching workers with work,” added Senator Beagle. “This bill adds to that productive initiative by linking it to the county One-Stop programs to assist a broader base of job seekers in locating opportunities in their area.” 

Senator Beagle was recently tapped by Senate President Keith Faber to lead the newly formed Senate Committee on Workforce and Economic Development. Senator Beagle’s committee will be in charge of linking Ohio’s economic and workforce needs with our education and career preparation programs. 

Senate Bill 2 streamlines state and local efforts in order to better serve Ohio’s jobseekers while matching growing companies with skilled Ohio workers.