Jobs and the Economy

Working tirelessly to turn around our economy and create good jobs here at home.

My top priority is economic recovery for Ohio and the nation, and that means a relentless focus on saving and creating good-paying jobs. When I was asked by Ted Strickland to run as his Lieutenant Governor in 2006, Ohio was just beginning to feel the effects of the Bush Administration’s misguided trade policies, failed economic program, and disastrous fiscal stewardship that ran up our national debt. Never in our lifetime have we seen such a catastrophic national economy.

I support common-sense economic principles: fiscal discipline, living within our means, rewarding hard work, investing in our people, and growing a strong middle class. In the Senate, I will fight to reduce the deficit and support pay-as-you-go budget rules to make sure Congress lives within its means. I also will fight to implement tax policies that reward work, support middle-class families, and encourage investment and job creation.

Despite these tough times, I continue to believe in the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit of America and the power of economic growth and fair competition to create shared prosperity. With the right policies in place, I am confident we can create good jobs and grow our economy in a way that benefits all Ohioans.

• Lee was appointed Director of Development by Governor Ted Strickland in 2006. Under Lee’s leadership, the Department of Development has funded more than 3,600 economic and community development projects and leveraged more than $14 billion in non-state economic and community development investments, a 6:1 return on the state’s investments.  Lee also led the creation of Ohio’s first-ever comprehensive Strategic Plan for Economic Development.
• Among his first actions as Development Director, Lee restructured the department to place greater emphasis on the development of Ohio’s workforce and small businesses. The Office of Workforce Development became the new Workforce and Talent Division, and was tasked with overseeing the Ohio Investment in Training and Workforce Guarantee Program. The Office of Small Business Development became the new Entrepreneurship and Small Business Division, overseeing programs intended to promote small businesses.
• Lee chaired the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, and supported policies and programs that have spurred the development of a new, clean energy economy that will open the door to new economic growth. Lee believes we can and must make Ohio a hub of energy production, putting thousands of Ohioans to work creating sources of clean, renewable energy like wind turbines, solar panels and fuel cell-powered cars.
• American families and small businesses are being squeezed by health care costs. As we work to get our economy back on track and put people back to work, Congress must pass comprehensive health care reform that will not only provide coverage to the 1.3 million uninsured Ohioans, but also help strengthen our struggling economy.
• Lee believes there is an unbreakable link between educational attainment and economic prosperity: that a quality, affordable and accessible education is necessary to the development of a skilled, highly educated flexible workforce. That’s why he has led state efforts to provide resources to help workers meet their education and training needs. From classroom training to on-the-job training, Ohio’s workers must have the skills they need to meet their goals and achieve career success.