Some of Today's State News Headlines
Today is Friday March 7, 2008
Gov. Strickland asks Amtrak to study Ohio passenger line
COLUMBUS (AP) - The nation's passenger rail operator is looking at restoring lines to Ohio cities that have been without them for decades at the request of Gov. Ted Strickland.
Strickland asked Amtrak in a Feb. 26 letter to evaluate how practical it would be to restore a passenger rail line to Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, with stops in some of the other cities along the route.
Strickland wants Amtrak to work with the Ohio Rail Development Commission on the study, the governor said Thursday, and a commission spokesman said it should be completed within 18 months.
The governor said adding passenger service would help Ohio's cities create jobs and attract new business.
"Investment in a rail transportation system that links metropolitan areas with passenger rail service, while improving freight commerce, would represent one such (development) tool," Strickland wrote.
(Refer to page 8 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Court: Phone companies can use option that allows easier rate-raising
COLUMBUS (AP) - Telephone giants AT&T and Cincinnati Bell can use a new option that lets them raise rates for Ohio customers more easily, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
The Office of Consumer's Counsel, a state government entity that advocates for customers, had argued that the phone companies did not meet the criteria necessary to qualify for such flexibility.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, which regulates utilities, in 2006 granted the two companies permission to apply to increase basic local telephone service rates no more than $1.25 per year and Caller ID rates no more than 50 cents per year. The court in Thursday's ruling said the regulators had the right to do so.
PUCO allows phone companies to apply for "alternative regulation" plans that give them more flexibility in pricing in exchange for guaranteeing they won't raise basic phone rates for customers in their lifeline programs that freeze rates for low-income customers.
(Refer to page 8 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
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