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Energy

Since arriving in Congress, Congresswoman Sutton has been a leader in the fight for a new energy policy that will spur growth in renewable and domestic energy production, create good paying jobs for American workers and help reduce the cost of fuel for the country’s families. The skyrocketing price of gas is one of Congresswoman Sutton’s biggest concerns and she will continue to fight to make gasoline affordable for families in Ohio and across the country.

Ethics

On the day she was sworn into office, January 4th, 2007, Congresswoman Sutton stood on the floor of the House of Representatives and took action to break the ties between politicians in Washington and those who seek to buy their influence. On that very first day, she helped lead the effort to pass groundbreaking ethics reform, raising the standard of ethics for the House of Representatives. Since that time, she has continued to be a leader in the effort to end the culture of corruption in Washington.

Veterans

Congresswoman Sutton believes that we have a moral responsibility to care for our troops and veterans. As the proud daughter of a World War II veteran, she is committed to providing our service members with the benefits they deserve She has supported legislation that meets the needs of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan while never forgetting all of our heroes who have served in the Armed Forces. It is not enough to simply pay tribute to our troops with words; we must show our appreciation through our actions.

Transportation and Infrastructure Project Requests
Please see the following link to review the transportation and infrastructure project requests that were submitted by Congresswoman Sutton to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. They are listed in alphabetical order.
www.sutton.house.gov/media/docs/ACF23BF.pdf


Water Resources Development Act Project Requests
The U.S. House of Representatives will begin working on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which is expected to be considered on the House floor in 2010.  The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is the committee of jurisdiction for this bill.  In preparation of this bill, Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL) requested that Members of Congress submit water projects from their district for House authorization.  The Army Corps of Engineers would facilitate the requested work.  Rep. Sutton asked community leaders across the 13th district to submit important projects to their communities.  Below are the projects submitted to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  These projects are listed in alphabetical order by city/county. 


Project: Bradford Gates Pump Station Elimination and Replacement (Brecksville, Cuyahoga County);
Description:  The Cuyahoga County Engineer’s office must eliminate sanitary sewer overflow systems, including the Bradford Gates Pump Station in Brecksville.  This project would assist Cuyahoga County eliminate the Bradford Gates Pump Station.  According to the Cuyahoga County Engineer/Sanitary Engineer, the life cycle cost analysis showed a gravity sewer to eliminate the pump station is a cost effective solution.
 
Project: Study of Healy Creek to determine the feasibility of carrying out projects to address stream bank erosion, habitat degradation, and sedimentation (Brunswick, Medina County);
Description: The Healy Creek watershed within the City of Brunswick is nearly three square miles in size and makes up approximately 25% of Brunswick’s total land area.  Healy Creek and its tributaries have been harshly impacted by over fifty years of heavy residential development within its watershed.  The stream exhibits extreme bank erosion, sedimentation, loss of habitat, and poor water quality. 

Project: Flood Damage Reduction Study for Carlisle Township and Lorain County (Lorain County);
Description: Communities throughout Lorain County have suffered from flooding, which has led to failing dams and deteriorating bridges.  This project would study ways to reduce flood damage including replacing a spillway, dam, and bridge.  Past flood events have caused costly property damage, loss of business, and job losses. 

Project: Study to understand the flooding problems of the upper Tuscarawas River watershed to formulate solutions for flood damage reduction (Norton, Summit County);
Description: This reconnaissance study will examine the flooding problems of the upper Tuscarawas River watershed.  Past flood events have caused costly property damage, loss of business, and job losses.  Flood control in the upper Tuscarawas watershed will also benefit downstream communities in and beyond the immediate Summit County study area.
 
Project: Study to determine the feasibility of a comprehensive county-wide stormwater utility, comprising two watersheds (Summit County);
Description:  A Summit County Stormwater study would aid the entire county in working towards a complete stormwater plan.  According to Summit County, the plan will reduce pollution, reduce erosion, increase water quality, protect aquifers, recharge ground water, protect the Cuyahoga Valley River as it travels through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP, and protect and restore wetlands. 


Appropriations FY11
Please see the following link to review the appropriations requests submitted to the Appropriations Committee for consideration for Fiscal Year 2011.  The projects were submitted to Congresswoman Sutton from community leaders and other entities. These projects are listed in alphabetical order.
http://sutton.house.gov/media/docs/afy2011.pdf


National Defense Authorization Act FY11

Requested Language regarding Pilot University Corrosion Collaboration

Proposed Change: Request that the Secretary of Defense include funding for the Pilot University Corrosion Collaboration program in the President’s FY12 budget request.

The committee supports the Pilot University Corrosion Collaboration between the Department of Defense (DOD), the United States Air Force Academy, the University of Akron, the University of Hawaii, the Ohio State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the University of Virginia.  The committee not only encourages the Department to continue this collaborative effort but recommends that the Secretary of Defense include it in the President’s budget request starting with fiscal year 2012. 

The committee also recommends that the DOD Corrosion Prevention and Oversight Office (CPO) expand university-related initiatives in the DOD Corrosion Prevention and Mitigation Strategic Plan.  These could include supporting the University of Akron’s efforts to establish the nation’s first Bachelor of Science degree in corrosion engineering, expansion of projects that address high-cost areas in the Cost of Corrosion Baseline Study, and all outreach, communication, education, training, and policy activities that support the war fighter.

Because its corrosion engineering education program is both unique and of strategic national importance, the committee endorses the previous actions of the DOD Director of Corrosion Policy and Oversight to establish the National Center for Education and Research on Corrosion and Materials Performance at the University of Akron and recommends the Secretary of Defense, beginning in fiscal year 2012,  program within the appropriate CPO RDT&E account at least $4.0 million annually for a minimum of 10 years.  These funds would be used for the appropriate faculty and associated resources to sustain the delivery of the Bachelor of Science in corrosion engineering.

Requested Language regarding Competitive Procurement of Military Tires
Proposed Change: To ensure that the Tire Procurement Initiative (TIPI) contract is awarded through open and fair competition.

Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Defense Logistics Agency, in executing any new tire procurement contracts, to ensure that the tire privatization prime contractor shall not be a company engaged in the manufacture of tires for the Department of Defense and that the prime contractor shall maintain equal arms-length relationships with all tire manufacturers.  Further directs the Secretary of Defense and the Defense Logistics Agency to ensure that any new military tire procurement contracts: (1) include industrial base provisions for qualified alternative tire manufacturers; (2) require that the procurement of ground and air tires be conducted on an open competitive basis; (3) require that fair, equal and competitive procurement procedures are employed to ensure that the Government receives the best value when procuring any tires; and, (4) ensure that all tire manufacturers have equal timely information about the Government's future needs for tires.