AMERICA UNDER BUSH:

THE STATE OF OHIO WORKING FAMILIES

105,218 Of Ohio Workers Have Become Unemployed Since Bush Took Office.
31,300 Of Ohio Workers Have Lost Their Unemployment Benefits Since January

2004.
169,700 Ohio Manufacturing Jobs Lost Since Bush Took Office.
47 Percent Of Ohio Taxpayers Will Receive Less Than $100 From Latest Bush

Tax Cut In 2004.

Ohio Families Face Rising Share Of National Debt Burden $24,762 Over Next

Six Years.
334,000 Ohio Children Left Out Of Child Tax Credit.
1.3 Million Ohio Residents Have No Health Insurance, Up 6.3% Under Bush.
194,900 Ohio Seniors Worse Off Under Bush Medicare Prescription Plan.

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OHIO UNDER BUSH

JOBS AND ECONOMY:

Bush Does Nothing While Jobs Are Lost,
Salaries Stagnate, And Poverty Soars
When America works, America prospers, so my economic security plan can be
summed up in one word: jobs.
--George W. Bush [State of the Union Address, 1/29/02]
Nationally, Businesses Have Lost 2.6 Million Jobs Lost; Unemployment Rate Up 36 Percent. The
national unemployment rate in March 2004 was 5.7 percent, up from 4.2 percent when Bush took office in
January 2001 a 36 percent increase. Nationally, the economy has lost 2.6 million private sector jobs
under Bush. Over 2 million Americans have also seen their federal extended unemployment benefits
expire due to Bush and the Republican Congresss failure to extend them: 1 million in December 2002
and another 1.1. million since January 2004. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov; AP, 1/9/03; CBPP,
3/25/04, www.cbpp.org]

Ohio Fact: Unemployment Has Increased 46 Percent Under Bush. The unemployment rate in
Ohio was 5.7 percent in March 2004, up from 3.9 percent in January 2001; this change represents a 46
percent increase since Bush took office. In total, 105,218 more workers in Ohio have become
unemployed under Bush. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov]
Ohio Fact: Over 224,800 Ohio Jobs Have Been Lost Since Bush Took Office. In 2001, when
touting his tax cut, Bush said, My plan is good for the long-term health of our economy. It is good
for the businesses that create jobs. In Ohio, 174,100 jobs have been lost since the 2001 Bush tax cut
was enacted on June 7, 2001. Overall, Ohio has lost 224,800 jobs since Bush took office. [Bureau of
Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov; Bush Remarks, 6/7/01; Bush Remarks Announcing the Tax Cut Plan, 2/5/01]

Ohio Fact: 31,300 Jobless Ohio Workers Have Lost Their Unemployment Benefits Since
January 2004. Bush and the Republican Congress have refused to provide additional federal
unemployment benefits to workers looking for work. In Ohio, 31,300 workers have lost their benefits
since January 2004. [CBPP, 3/25/04, www.cbpp.org]
Bush Fails to Improve Prosperity for Working Families. Bush recently stated, We're prosperous now,
which is good -- particularly if you're a guy seeking the vote. But since he took office in 2001, corporate
profits have expanded by 57.5 percent ($365 billion), while private wage and salary income declined by
1.7 percent ($73 billion). In 2003, median weekly wages actually grew slower (2.0 percent) than the rate
of inflation (2.3 percent), meaning that real value of workers paychecks actually declined. Overall,
adjusted for inflation, weekly wages have only rise 0.2 percent since 2000. [Bush Remarks in Washington,
4/21/04; Economic Policy Institute, 4/12/04, 2/5/04, www.epinet.org; Democratic Joint Economic Committee, March 2004]

Nationally, Nearly 2.8 Million Manufacturing Jobs Lost Under Bush. The manufacturing industry
has lost 2,783,000 jobs nationwide since Bush took office in January 2001. Employment for this key
sector of the American economy is at its lowest level since October 1958. [Bureau of Labor Statistics,
http://www.bls.gov]

Ohio Fact: 169,700 Manufacturing Jobs Have Been Lost Under Bush. In Ohio, 169,700
manufacturing jobs have been lost since Bush took office in January 2001. [Bureau of Labor Statistics,
http://www.bls.gov]
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OHIO UNDER BUSH

Nationally, 3.5 Million More Americans Have Fallen Into Poverty Under Bush. In 2002, the number
of Americans living in poverty increased to 34.6 million12.1 percent. Three-and-a-half million more
Americans live in poverty under Bush. For 2002, a family with two parents and two children lives at the
poverty threshold if their total household income is below $18,244. [Census Bureau, Poverty in the United States:
2002, Table 4, http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html]

Ohio Fact: Ohio Poverty Rate At 10.1 Percent. According to the most recent state estimate
(2001-2), 10.1 percent of Ohio residents are defined as living in poverty. [Census Bureau, Poverty in
the United States: 2002, Table 4, http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html]

Consumer Debt and Bankruptcies At All-Time High. In January 2004, reports indicated that
Consumer debt, which includes auto loans and credit cards but excludes mortgages, rose to a record
$1.99 trillion in November, the Federal Reserve reported yesterday. That's roughly $18,249 per U.S.
household. Holiday spending certainly raised that number still higher. [Baltimore Sun, 1/9/04]

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OHIO UNDER BUSH

TAXES:
Bush Squandered Surplus, Increasing Debt Burden, Gave Tax Breaks To Rich
The Bush tax cuts benefit all Americans, but reserve the greatest percentage
reduction for the lowest income families. --George W. Bush [BC 00 Fact Sheet, 12/1/99]
Bush Squandered $10.6 Trillion In Three Years. President Bush inherited a ten-year government
surplus of $5.6 trillion in January 2001. Today, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities projects a tenyear deficit of $5.2 trillion a $10.6 trillion deterioration since Bush took office. The 2004 deficit alone is
projected to be a record $477 billion. Bushs tax cuts are the largest single reason for the deterioration in
the surplus since January 2001. In the ten-year period from 2002-2011, 36 percent of the projected
deficits are due to the enacted and expected Bush tax cuts, whereas only 20 percent is due to the war on
terrorism, Iraq, and homeland security. The CBO has projected deficits as far as the eye can see. [CBO,
2/27/04, 8/03; OMB Mid-Session Review, 7.15/03; CBPP, 2/1/04; Los Angeles Times, 8/29/03]

Ohio Fact: Small Benefits of Bush Tax Cut Dwarfed by Rising Debt Burden For Ohios Middle
Income Families. Over six years, the middle 20 percent of Ohio taxpayers will receive an average of
$3,697 in Bush tax cuts. However, this money is greatly offset by the cost of increased debt burden
facing middle class taxpayers. The average increased debt burden over the same period for Ohio
taxpayers will be $24,762, creating an average net increase debt burden of $21,065. [CTJ Fact Sheet,
9/23/03]

Average Tax Cut For Taxpayers Far Less Than What Bush Touted. After final passage of Bushs
2003 tax cut, the Bush administration touted its large tax cuts for American families. A Treasury
Department statement said, In 2003, 91 million taxpayers will receive, on average, a tax cut of $1,126.
But, nationwide 83 percent of households will get less than the Bush administrations promised average.
[Treasury Press Release, 5/22/03; CBPP Fact Sheet, 5/28/03, 6/13/03]

Ohio Fact: 47 Percent of Ohio Taxpayers Get Will Less Than $100 in 2004; Richest 1% Will Get
$37,910.
2.5 million Ohio taxpayers (47 percent) will receive less than $100 from Bushs tax plan in
2004. [Citizens for Tax Justice, 11/19/03]
The top 1 percent of Ohio taxpayers will receive 23.1 percent of the benefits in 2004 and
get an average tax cut of $37,910. [Citizens for Tax Justice, 11/19/03]
Ohio Fact: 334,000 Children in Ohio Are Left Out of Bush Child Tax Credit Provision. The
2003 Bush tax cut accelerated the $400 increase of the child tax credit from his 2001 tax cut.
However, the final bill left out 11.9 million children in moderate and low-income families nationwide,
whose households earn between $10,500 and $26,625 per year. According to an analysis by Citizens
for Tax Justice, 334,000 children in Ohio would benefit if the child tax credit were expanded.[New
York Times, 5/29/03; CBPP Fact Sheet, http://www.cbpp.org/5-28-03tax3.htm; CTJ Fact Sheet, 6/3/03, emphasis added]

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OHIO UNDER BUSH

HEALTH CARE:
In the Face of Rising Health Care Costs and Uninsured, Bush Offers
Prescription Drug Plan That Actually Hurts Seniors
A priority in my budget will be to make sure that the health care system in
America is strong for the elderly, for the uninsured, and for all of us concerned
about health.
-- George W. Bush [Remarks in St. Louis, MO, 2/20/01]
Rising Health Care Costs Prohibit Coverage For Many Families. President Bush has no plan to deal
with runaway health care costs that have increased 40 percent since he took office. The average cost of
job-based health care increased by $2,630 to $9,068 for families in 2003. Health costs are expected to rise
another 12 percent in 2004 alone. Affordability remains the number one reason people lack health
coverage today, said Dr. Donald Young, president of the Health Insurance Association of America.
[Kaiser Family Foundation, Employer Health Benefits Survey 2000 and 2003, www.kff.org; Towers Perrin, 2004 Health Care
Cost Survey; Los Angeles Times, 9/30/03]

Personal Bankruptcies At All Time High; Medical Bills A Leading Cause. An estimated 1.6 million
families will file for bankruptcy in 2004, 90 percent from the middle-class. Health care costs contribute to
half of all bankruptcies. [NOW With Bill Moyers, 2/6/04; Consumers Union, 2/25/04]
Ohio Fact: 226,883 Of Ohio Households Have Filed for Bankruptcy Since Bush Took Office.
Personal bankruptcies have reached record highs under Bushs watch. In Ohio, 226,883 households
declared bankruptcy between 20001 and 2003. [Administrative Office of the US Courts, www.uscourts.gov]
Nationally, One in Nine Have No Health Insurance Under Bush. In 2002, the number of Americans
without health insurance increased by 2.4 million to a decade-high 43.6 million. [Census Bureau, Historical
Health Insurance Tables, Table HI06, http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins.html]

Ohio Fact: Over 1 Million Ohio Residents Have No Health Insurance.

1.3 million (11.9 percent) of Ohio residents was uninsured in 2002.
96,000 more Ohio residents lack health insurance under Bush; Ohios uninsured rate has
increased 6.3 percent. [Census Bureau, Historical Health Insurance Tables, Table HI06,
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins.html]

2,556,000 Ohio residents went without health insurance at some point during 2001-2002.
[Families USA, Going Without Insurance, March 2003, www.familiesusa.org]

Nationally, Many Seniors Worse Off Under Bush Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. The Medicare
bill that President Bush signed in November 2003 includes limited prescription drug coverage but protects
the interests of drug companies by failing to include measures to bring down the cost of prescriptions. The
bill has been described as a big win for the drug industry, and nationwide, many seniors are worse off
under the plan. [Wall Street Journal, 11/17/03; Senate HELP Committee Minority Staff, National and State Impacts of the
Medicare Prescription Drug Conference Proposal, 11/03, emphasis added]

Ohio Fact: Ohio Seniors Hurt By Bush Medicare Plan.

154,770 Ohio Medicare beneficiaries will lose their employer-based retiree health
benefits.
194,900 seniors will pay more for the prescription drugs they need. [Senate HELP Committee
Minority Staff, National and State Impacts of the Medicare Prescription Drug Conference Proposal, 11/03]
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OHIO UNDER BUSH

EDUCATION:
Bush Ignores Skyrocketing Tuition, And Underfunds His Own Education
Reform Plan
The days of excuse-making are over. In return for federal money, we expect
results so that not one single child in America is left behind.
-- George W. Bush [Remarks in St. Denver, CO, 8/11/03]
Nationally, College Tuition Skyrocketing. Tuition and fees at public colleges have increased by an
average of 35 percent since Bush took office, with 49 out of 50 states raising tuition last year. These
tuition increases have been the direct results of cuts in state aid due to state budget crises. Tuition at 4year public schools increased by an average of 14 percent for the 2003-2004 school year alone. [Associated
Press, 8/25/03; College Board, College Costs 2003, www.collegeboard.com]

Ohio Fact: Budget Crisis Forces Ohio Colleges to Raise Tuition 7 to 10%. The fiscal crisis in
Ohio forced college tuition increases across the state. Ohio State University tuition will increase
$810.00 (14.3%) after state funding was cut. [National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant
Colleges, http://www.nasulgc.org]

New Bush Budget Again Breaks Campaign Promise to Increase Maximum Pell Grant Award.
During the 2000 presidential campaign, Bush promised to increase the maximum Pell Grant award to
$5,100. Yet his FY 2005 budget is the third in a row that not increased the value over the current $4,050.
The value of the maximum Pell award has fallen dramatically in the past years from covering 42 percent
of a public four-year institution in 2001 to just 34 percent today. [Bush Speech in Hampton, New Hampshire,
8/30/00; Associated Press, 5/2/02; Chronicle for Higher Education, 4/4/03; House Budget Committee Democratic Caucus,
2/6/04, www.house.gov/budget_democrats; Childrens Defense Fund, Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Analysis,
www.childrensdefense.org]

Ohio Fact: At Least 161,463 Students in Ohio Could Have Their Pell Awards Affected. In 20012002 (the last year for which data is available), 161,463 students in Ohio received a Pell Grant award.
Bushs refusal to raise the maximum Pell award is negatively affecting these students ability to go to
college. [Education Department, Pell Grant End of the Year Report, 2001-2002, www.ed.gov]
New Bush Budget Underfunds No Child Left Behind by $9.4 Billion. Bushs new budget proposes
$24.9 billion for Elementary and Secondary Education Act programs, $9.4 billion less than was
authorized under Bushs No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Bushs last four budgets have cumulatively
provided $33.2 billion less than what was pledged under NCLB. In February, 2003, the National
Governors Association, which includes both Republicans and Democrats, voted unanimously to label
Bushs No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) an unfunded mandate. [Presidents FY 2005 Budget, www.ed.gov;
historical data at www.ed.gov; Associated Press, 2/24/03]

Ohio Fact: Ohio Schools Facing $505,024,000 in Unfunded Mandates Under No Child Left
Behind. Schools in Ohio are responsible for covering $252,512,000 in unfunded federal mandates for
No Child Left Behind under the budget Bush signed into law January 2004. They face an additional
$252,512,000 shortfall in Bushs new budget proposal, creating a two-year total of $505,024,000 in
No Child Left Behind unfunded mandates. [National Conference of State Legislatures, Mandate Monitor, March
2004, www.ncls.org]

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OHIO UNDER BUSH

Ohio Fact: Ohio Schools Facing $776,421,000 in Special Education Unfunded Mandates. Schools
in Ohio will pick up the tab for $396,215,000 in special education programs that are federally
mandated, but inadequately financed under the budget Bush signed into law January 2004. Bushs
new budget proposal would add another $380,206,000 if enacted, bringing the two-year total to
$776,421,000. [National Conference of State Legislatures, Mandate Monitor, March 2004, www.ncls.org]
Ohio Fact: Ohio Stands to Lose $1,066,201 in Federal Grants Under Bush Proposal to Eliminate
Federal Grants for School Counseling. Bushs new budget proposes eliminating $34 million in
federal grants that assist local schools in creating or expanding school counseling programs. Secretary
of Education Rod Paige has previously touted these grants, stating Studies show that high-quality
counseling can prevent students from turning to violence, drug or alcohol abuse as well as improve
grades and reduce classroom disruptions. Ohio would lose $1,066,201 in grants to local communities
including Cambridge, Cincinnatti and Columbus. [Presidents FY 2005 Budget, www.ed.gov; Department of
Education, 5/2/03, www.ed.gov; grant data from www.ed.gov]

Ohio Fact: Ohio Stands to Lose $6,006,731 in Federal Grants Due to Bush Proposal To
Eliminate Smaller Learning Community Program. The Presidents new budget proposes
eliminating $173 million in federal Smaller Learning Community grants to high schools to create
smaller settings for learning, which studies show increase academic achievement and reduce dropouts
and discipline problems. Ohio would lose $6,006,731 in grants to local communities that include
Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Hillard, Madison, Riverside and Toledo. [Presidents FY 2005 Budget,
www.ed.gov; Serving Smaller Learning Communities, www.nwrel.org/scpd/sslc; Department of Education, 10/8/03,
www.ed.gov; grant data from www.ed.gov]

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OHIO UNDER BUSH

MILITARY AND VETERANS:

Despite Promises, Bush Abandons Struggling Veterans And Military Families
"We will not only keep our commitments to the men and women who wear our
uniform today, but we will keep our commitments to the veterans who have worn
-- George W. Bush [Remarks in Chattanooga, TN, 11/6/00]
the uniform in the past."
Bushs Policies Angering Veterans. VFW Commander-in-Chief Edward Banas called the funding
package a disgrace, a sham, inexcusable, and deplorable. In a release entitled, Another Year,
Another Inadequate Budget Request for Veterans Health Care, PVA called Bushs budget grossly
inadequate. The Disabled American Veterans said the Bush Administration has broken faith with the
nations sick and disabled veterans with its budget proposal. And AMVETS National Commander John
Sisler said of Bushs proposal: To say we are extremely disappointed with it is an understatement. [DAV
Release, 2/4/04; AMVETS Release, 2/3/04; PVA Release, 2/3/04; CQ, 2/2/04; VFW Release, 2/2/04, emphasis added]

Bushs New Budget Freezes Impact Aid Funding After Repeatedly Trying to Cut Education Funds
For Children In Military Families. Despite a campaign promise to fulfill a special obligation to
military families and rebuild the schools that educate their children, Bushs new budget flatlines Impact
Aid Basic Support Grants to schools serving military children. Bushs 2004 budget cut $200 million from
Impact Aid and his 2003 budget tried the program by $3 million. [New York Times, 8/22/00; Department of
Education, www.ed.gov; House Appropriations Committee, Minority Staff, 6/17/03, 6/16/03; Omaha World Herald, 2/5/02;
State News Service, 2/4/02]

Ohio Fact: Bush cut Ohio Impact Aid Basic Support Grants by 8.1 percent in his 2005 budget. The
grants go to assist school districts near military instillations that serve large numbers of children from
military families [Department of Education, www.ed.gov]
Thousands of Veterans Waiting to See a Doctor and Resolve Disability Claims. At least 250,000
veterans are being forced to wait for their disability claims to be resolved by the Veterans Administration
(VA). In January 2003, the VA stopped allowing higher-income veterans to enroll for health care. Still,
nearly 30,000 veterans have been waiting six months or more for an appointment for primary care. [State &
Local Health Law Weekly, 2/12/04; New Orleans Times-Picayune, 2/15/04; House Committee on Appropriations hearing,
Principi testimony, 3/31/04]

Ohio Fact: Over 1.1 Million Veterans In Ohio Affected By Bush Policies. According to the
Department of Veterans Affairs, there are roughly 1.1 million veterans living in Ohio, all of whom are
affected by Bushs policies. In 2002, nearly 184,000 people were treated at Ohio veterans health
facilities, and 113,000 received disability or pension payments from the VA. The VA operates health
care facilities in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chillicothe and Dayton, as well as an outpatient clinic in
Columbus. At Ohio veterans facilities in 2002, there were 20,465 inpatient admissions and 1,795,956
outpatient visits. [Department of Veterans Affairs, http://www.appc1.va.gov/opa/fact/statesum/index.htm]
Bush Attempts to Impose New Costs on Middle-Income Vets. Bushs new budget will institute a new
annual $250 enrollment fee and an increase in prescription drug co-pays from $7 to $15 for middleincome veterans. In 2003, Bush tried to pass the same charges on middle-income veterans, only to be
rebuffed his own Republican-led Congress. And in December 2001, Bush more than tripled the
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OHIO UNDER BUSH

prescription co-payments for nonservice-connected veterans from $2 to $7. [CQ, 2/2/04, The Times Leader,
10/9/03]

Bush Administration Proposed Closure of Seven Veterans Hospitals. In August 2003, the Bush
Administration announced it was closing seven hospitals in its efforts to restructure the Department of
Veterans Affairs. Hospitals to be closed are in Canandaigua, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Lexington, KY;
Brecksville, OH; Gulfport, MS; Livermore, CA; and Waco, TX. In all, the Bush proposal institutes over
30 mission-changes at VA hospitals and puts approximately 5,800 beds on the chopping block
nationwide. [Associated Press, 8/4/03, 10/28/03, 12/16/03; Department of Veterans Affairs; Draft National CARES plan,
http://www1.va.gov/cares/page.cfm?pg=105]

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OHIO UNDER BUSH

HOMELAND SECURITY:
Bush Ignoring Dangerous Security Concerns
One of my biggest priorities, of course, is to make sure the homeland is secure.
-- George W. Bush [News Event, Portland, ME, 1/25/02]
From Day One, Bush Opposed Creating a Homeland Security Department. Bush stalled the creation
of a new cabinet agency for months, opposing it until it became apparent that legislation creating it would
pass Congress in mid-2002. [White House Press Briefing, 10/24/01; National Journal, 6/5/02; George W. Bush,
11/19/02]

Bush Shortchanges First Responders and Leaves Major Security Gaps

Firefighters: Bush cut FIRE Act grants in his 2005 budget by $246 million. An International
Association of Firefighters spokesperson called the cuts profoundly disappointing to first responders,
and noted, Its a continuation of the presidents lack of commitment to first responders in general and
firefighters in particular. [UPI, 2/2/04; DHS Budget Brief]
Chemical Plants: Federal auditors found that chemical facilities security measures were unknown
and that the Bush administration backed down from new regulations due to concerns[of a] significant
litigation risk from the chemical industry. [GAO, 3/ 2003]
Air Travel: The initial federal air security screening force of over 55,000 has been cut by thousands, to
an eventual level of 45,000, an 18 percent cut. TSAs air cargo security program meant to alleviate
concern about unscreened cargo on passenger jets mandates only spot checks conducted by the cargo
carriers themselves, allowing most cargo to remain unscreened. In addition, just one day before a 2003
DHS warning about airline hijackings, air marshals were told to cancel long flights with hotel stays due to
monetary considerations. [TSA; AP, 4/30/03; Wash Post, 5/1/03, 7/31/03; House HS Cmte Dems, 1/04]
Port Security: Bush's Container Security Initiative uses ships' manifest data, which the GAO called one
of the least reliable or useful for targeting purposes, to assess risk. Only one port in the country has
radiation portals installed, while others screen for radiological weapons using handheld detectors not
designed for large containers. In addition, Bush slashed port security grants by $150 million from 2004 to
2005. [Sunday Telegram, 3/30/03; House HS Cmte Dems, 1/04; US Budget, OMB; Journal of Commerce, 3/24/03; CQ,
2/9/04]

Border Security: Only 1,000 border agents patrol the 5,000 mile-long northern border, despite the fact
that Canadas intelligence agency has documented Al Qaeda activity within the country. [Deseret Morning
News, 7/20/03; Washington Post, 12/25/02; New York Times, 12/17/02]

Intelligence Integration: DHS still competes with the CIA and FBI for intelligence consolidation, and
reported the other agencies continued to have responsibilities that overlap with, duplicate, or even trump
those of DHS. GAO also found that the vast majority of state and even federal officials believed
intelligence sharing was inadequate. In addition, over two years after the 2001 attacks the US still does
not have a comprehensive terrorist watch list. [CQ, 2/20/04; House HS Cmte Democrats, 1/04; CQ, 03/02/04]

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OHIO UNDER BUSH

ENVIRONMENT:
Bush Helped Industry By Weakening Rules And Oversight
"We have a duty in our country to make sure our land is preserved, our air is
clean, out water is pure, our parks are accessible and open and well-preserved."
--George W. Bush [Remarks on Earth Day, 4/29/02]
Bush Loosened Environmental Standards, Weakened Oversight. Since taking office, the Bush
Administration has let industry insiders guide environmental policy. Bush sought to change the rules that
govern our nations land, air and water, often at the insistence of industry interests. The administration has
cut funding and weakened oversight laws, turning a blind eye towards law-breaking polluters.
Bush Administration Postponed Rules to Fight Mercury Pollution. The Bush administrations plan to
deal with mercury emissions offers lower reductions in mercury emissions than the previous Clinton
administration plan and would postpone reducing mercury pollution from power plants until 2018. [Associated Press,
3/22/04; Washington Post, 12/3/03; 12/5/03; Houston Chronicle, 12/5/03]

Ohio Fact: Mercury exposure can harm the function and development of the central nervous system
which puts unborn and young children at great risk of exposure. About 320,000 babies born every
year are at risk of developmental problems because of prenatal mercury exposure. In 2002, there were
35 fish consumption advisories in Ohio. President Bush is putting our families and environment at
risk. [Source: US Public Interest Research Group, Fishing for Trouble, June, 2003]
Republicans Pushing to Exempt MTBE Producers Liability. Methyl tertiary butyl ether, or MTBE, is
classified as a possible carcinogen and studies have shown that as little 2 parts per billion of MTBE can
affect drinking water. A provision known as the Fuels Safe Harbor in the House energy bill,
championed by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX), Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and Rep. Joe
Barton (R-TX) would grant MTBE makers protection from defective product lawsuits related to
groundwater contamination and give refiners incentives to switch MTBE production to other uses [Houston
Chronicle, 10/14/03; Washington Post, 10/12/03; Newsday, 9/29/03; Los Angeles Times, 11/17/03]

Ohio Fact: 9,000 At Risk of Cancer Causing MTBE. MTBE is a possible cancer-causing agent.
Instead of forcing polluters to pay to clean up the MTBE contamination of our drinking water
systems, President Bush wants to let them off the hook. In Ohio there are 5 public water systems that
are contaminated by MTBE, placing the health of 9,000 in jeopardy. [Source: Environmental Working
Group]

Bush Administration Has Failed to Clean Up Toxic Waste Sites. Completed Superfund cleanups have
decreased every year under the Bush administration. Superfund is a trust fund that polluting corporations
pay into to help clean contaminated sites. The GOP Congress refused to re-authorize funding for
Superfund, so the program is slowing depleting. Taxpayers now pay the cost for 80% of Superfund
cleanups nationwide. [Boston Globe, 1/9/04; General Accounting Office, www.gao.gov]
Ohio Fact: 29 Superfund Sites that Harm Public Health: In Ohio, there are 29 Superfund sites
endangering local public health and environment. These sites located in our communities are
contaminated with toxic chemicals from PCBs to arsenic and are in urgent need of clean up. The Bush
Administration refuses to make polluters pay for the clean up and is taking more time to complete the
cleanups. [Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Superfund Information Systems]
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