My campaign has made it into the final round of voting for 21st Century Democrats contest for 2 field organizers for the last month of the campaign.

Please follow this link to vote: http://www.21stdems.org/vote08/

All votes from the first round have been cleared, so please cast your again vote today.

Voting ends at midnight on September 30th.

Thank You.

Mary Jo

This week my opponent starting running false ads about the new Huntington Ballpark. I have released a new ad to set the record straight. The truth is construction on the new ballpark, which will be the home to the Cleveland Indians AAA team, is on time and under budget.



Here are the facts:

The company that had the lowest bid, TP Mechanical, falsely certified its bid documents about its violation history, it also broke prevailing-wage laws numerous times. These facts alone should have disqualified the company's bid.

Furthermore, the company failed to meet the minimum accepted standards required of all companies during the bidding process. A bipartisan panel of commissioners passed these basic bidding standards in 2002 to safeguard the process's fairness and integrity. Since the company could not even meet the minimum accepted standards, we could not in good faith accept its bid.

All told, since 1998, TP Mechanical logged at least 21 separate violations.

We chose the next lowest bidder, to make sure we protected the workers, and the project is still being done under budget.

By Mary Jo

As Congress returns from August recess, I urge them to find solutions to the problems facing middle-class Americans. It is time to change the priorities in Washington and move past partisan bickering to effect real change. With a flailing economy, one of the worst housing crises in memory, and record high energy prices conspiring against working families, Congress needs to quickly pass a middle-class tax cut.

Congress must address the economy. With the national unemployment rate at a five-year high and Ohio's unemployment rate even higher, more needs to be done to turn our financial ship around.

With the government takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, it is evident that more needs to be done to stabilize the housing industry. The Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 was a good first step, but millions of families are still in danger of losing their homes and many more are seeing the value of their homes decrease significantly. Congress should pass meaningful legislation to allow bankruptcy courts to modify subprime home loans much like they can for commercial real estate. Also, Congress should take a look at some of the deregulation put forth by banking lobbyists that has led to millions of Americans losing their homes.

Congress needs to make a serious commitment to fix our energy crisis. Congress should pass legislation to encourage oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres of land they already own and look to increase offshore drilling in a responsible way. At the same time, Congress needs to take bold action beyond drilling to end our addiction to foreign oil. As Senator Obama said during his presidential nomination acceptance speech, our county should set its sights on ending our reliance on oil from foreign dictators. I have put forth a bold energy plan that will create jobs and help end our addiction to foreign oil by setting a goal of every automobile built in America powered by alternative fuels by 2020. Read more about my energy plan.

America's middle class is the engine of our economy. Unfortunately, eight years of the Bush economic plan has failed the middle class. Rising energy costs, flat wages and shrinking benefits are making it harder to get ahead. As a Congresswoman, I will put forth a bold middle class tax plan that will help everyone succeed, not just the most privileged 1%. Read more about my tax plan that will help regular, middle class Americans succeed. Congress should enact such a middle class tax plan this fall so American families can start receiving relief now.

By Ella, Spokescat for Pets for Kilroy

For years, Mary Jo has promoted the rights of the disadvantaged, advocated for those who have no voice, and defended our families and friends. Now, we—the pets of the 15th district—have the opportunity to thank Mary Jo and endorse her for Congress. Today, we're unveiling a new website: www.PetsForKilroy.com.

We launched this site because of Mary Jo's deep commitment of working with all sides, Democrats, Republicans, cats, and if need be, dogs, to get things done for Central Ohio. She has a long record of keeping stray animals off our streets and then finding them loving homes, and this is a small way for supporters to say "Thank You".

Dozens of cats, dogs, and other pets have posted their pictures and endorsements on the website. A proud owner of three dogs, Mary Jo is a committed supporter of local animal groups such as the Capitol Area Humane Society and has worked to increase adoption programs at the Franklin County Animal Shelter. In Congress, Mary Jo will continue to advocate for pets like me and animal rights nationwide.

Visit www.PetsForKilroy.com now and submit your own endorsement of Mary Jo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InGcTyQ3TOQ