Government Relations

Welcome. You have reached the web site for the Government Relations for the Cincinnati Section of the American Chemical Society. The purpose of this site is to provide a listing of useful internet accessible government resources and agencies that deal with legislative issues.

On Saturday morning, February 27, 1998, representatives from most of the local sections in Ohio met at Chemical Abstracts Service, Columbus, Ohio, for the first ever ACS State Government Relations Planning Group meeting. The agenda was to investigate the possibility of a state-wide coalition of local sections to effect and contribute to Ohio State public policy. The representatives agreed that ACS should work with the State legislature in those areas of expertise and interest to chemists and chemistry. The Ohio legislature is currently considering legislation on higher education funding, K-12 science education, and numerous environmental issues that effect us.

As a first step toward establishing a state government relations program for Ohio local sections, a State Capitol Day is planned. The Ohio State Capitol Day will take place on Wednesday, May 13. ACS members from every Ohio section are invited and encouraged to convene that day at the State Capitol in Columbus to meet with their state legislators. The purpose of these meetings is to establish or reestablish relationships with our own local representatives and introduce the resources and expertise of the Ohio local sections and members. That expertise might include comment on the quality of K-12 science education, levels of state funding for higher education, restrictions imposed by the Clean Air or Clean Water Acts, or what are in fact "hazardous chemicals" and in what quantities they are hazardous. The ability of ACS, its local sections, and members to ensure that state laws and regulations are based on sound science and supportive of chemists and chemistry is central to the need and opportunity of a state-wide government relations program. Please look for further announcements and plan to join us in Columbus on Wednesday, May 13. For further information, contact Karlyn Schnapp. (606-572-6681 or schnapp@nku.edu).

Government Links

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

• Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA)
• State of Ohio Government Front Page - information on State agenices
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• United States Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)

INFORMATION

• Caps Web Guide to Congress - Provides information concerning activities of the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, the Library of Congress and the Constitution.
• Chamber's Legislative Guide and Agenda - A free copy of the Chamber s Legislative Guide and Agenda, which includes a complete directory of Greater Cincinnati s public officials and a review of the Chamber s positions on a variety o public policies and issues, can be requested by calling (513) 579-3162.
• Clermont Chamber of Commerce - Contains an overview of the chamber structure, committees, small business assistance and government information.
• Executive Branch Resources - Provides a list of web accessible sites for the Executive Branch of the Federal government, departments and independent agencies.
• FedWorld - Access to more than 125 U.S. government bulletin boards (BBS) representing every agency.
• GAO (General Accounting Office) Reports - Provides reports from the GAO on budget issues, government management, public services, health care and energy issues.
• GPO Access - Allows searches of the Federal Register and Congressional Record.
• Government Agencies - OSHA sponsored web site that provides access to an on-line directory of various government agencies.
• Government Relations and Science Policy (GRASP) - A series of programs sponsored by the American Chemical Society designed to provide the federal government with advice on scientific and technological issues involving the chemical sciences, and on policies affecting the public interest.
• Health and Safety - OSHA sponsored web site that provides access to non-governmental sites related to health and safety issues.
• Infomine - Provides access to a database of federal, state and local government resources that can be searched by subject, keyword or title.
• State and Local Reaction - The quarterly newsletter of the State and Local Government Affairs Program of the American Chemical Society s Department of Government Relations and Science Policy.
• The U.S. House of Representatives Internet Law Library-Code of Federal Regulations - Access to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs).
• National Institute of Health (NIH) Budget - Contains information about the breakdown of available funding for NIH in fiscal year 1997.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Budget - Contains information about the breakdown of available funding for NSF in fiscal year 1997.
• Thomas Legislative Information - Contains the full text of, and search capabilities for, U.S. House and Senate bills and daily accounts of proceedings on the House and Senate Floors. Also contains links to web sites of individual congressional members as well as summaries of voting records.
• U.S. Government Today - Provides a list of addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers for congressional members.
• White House - Contains information about daily events, press releases and other information concerning the Whitehouse staff. When in doubt, why not start at the top.