EAST PALESTINE — State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, secured a deduction for taxpayers impacted by the East Palestine derailment from their state income tax and rail safety measures. Robb Blasdel pushed for these amendments into the state budget, which was approved by the General Assembly and signed into law.
“The people of East Palestine have remained strong and steadfast as their lives have been so heavily impacted during the last few months by the derailment,” Robb Blasdel said. “I hope this relief and increased rail safety shows that I am sincerely committed to finding solutions for them.”
The tax deduction will be for state income for residents, including for lost business, impacted by the train derailment in East Palestine. Additionally, Robb Blasdel supported provisions that will significantly fund rail safety crossings to enhance safety measures and help prevent accidents.
One measure establishes the Ohio Wayside Detector Expansion Program, which sets aside $10 million in grant funding for projects including installation, equipment, power sources and employee training. Another initiative under the Rail Safety Crossing Match provides $100 million for rail safety.
The budget bill was signed into law on Tuesday by Gov. Mike DeWine.
Railroad industry sues to block crew rule
Claiming that one-person crews “have been used safely for decades,” the Association of American Railroads sued to block a two-person crew mandate that was part of the Ohio Rail Safety Bill included in the state transportation budget signed by DeWine in March.
Oversight was to fall under the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
A day before the mandate was to take effect, the railroad industry filed a lawsuit, arguing that Ohio doesn’t have the authority to enforce such a rule, arguing that federal agencies have exclusive jurisdiction to regulate railways.
Biden called out for not visiting EP
Days after DeWine made a request for a disaster declaration for East Palestine from President Joe Biden, Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, called the president out on Twitter for failing to visit the village.
“It’s been 126 days since Biden promised he’d visit East Palestine ‘at some point’ and he still hasn’t. He has, however, attended multiple fundraisers,” McDaniel posted on Twitter.
Biden has said a month after the derailment that he planned to visit East Palestine, but nothing has been announced nor has he mentioned a pending trip since March.
Funds from golf outing disbursed
On Wednesday, the United Way announced the recipients of the Annika Fore East Palestine Golf Outing — which raised $400,000.
The outing was put on by Annika Sorenstam and her husband, Mike McGee, an East Palestine native.
Receiving proceeds were the Little Bulldogs Football & Cheerleading ($20,000), East Palestine Youth Girls Softball ($20,000), East Palestine Youth Golf program ($25,000), Rotary Soccer ($10,000) East Palestine Youth Sports Association ($20,000), Fellowship of Christian Athletes ($10,000), East Palestine High School Athletics ($50,000), East Palestine Teachers Union ($25,000) East Palestine Fine & Performing Arts ($15,000), East Palestine Robotics & STEM ($20,000) Bulldog Bucks for EP Businesses ($25,000) and Camp Hope for first responders ($35,000).
The remaining funds will go to the Way Station in East Palestine.
Another round of Bulldog Bucks sent out
The East Palestine Revitalization organization announced another round of Bulldog Bucks are expected to show up in village mailboxes in the next few days. The $10 vouchers can be redeemed at any participating East Palestine business.
According to eprivitalization.com, the vouchers “are as good as cash at more than 25 local businesses and the intent behind Bulldog Bucks is to “distribute the financial resources available through East Palestine Revitalization yet keep the money in our local economy to assist businesses that may be struggling due to the recent circumstances.”
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