REGION

REGION
Ryan plan would publicizeforeign titanium buys
YOUNGSTOWN -- An amendment placed by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan in the House's defense authorization bill will require the Department of Defense to make it known if it decides to buy any foreign titanium for military purposes.
Ryan of Niles, D-17th, said the amendment is specifically aimed at protecting jobs at RMI Titanium, a Weathersfield company that is the nation's second-largest titanium maker.
"If the Pentagon wants to purchase titanium from Russia, then American titanium companies and the American public deserve to be informed," he said.
Ryan, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said he worked closely with the chairman of that committee and the House Small Business Committee to include the amendment in the bill.
Workers' comp panelnixes rebates, ups rates
COLUMBUS -- A state workers' compensation panel voted Thursday to end rebates to businesses and public employers for the first time since 1996 because of the sluggish economy and increased health-care costs.
The Ohio Workers' Compensation Oversight Commission also approved a 9-percent premium rate increase for the policy year beginning July 1.
The rebates began after the agency decided in 1995 to keep its surplus at $3 billion and return any additional money to employers.
Jim Samuel, Bureau of Workers' Compensation spokesman, said the agency can no longer cover increased medical expenses.
Beginning July 1, businesses would pay about $600 million more in premiums. Public employers such as schools will pay $200 million more after January.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports