Debra Jasper and Spencer Hunt
Enquirer Columbus bureau

Members of the Cincinnati Junior League and officials from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center are lobbying for the passage of the mental health parity bill.

Such a bill would require insurance companies to cover mental illnesses the same way they cover physical illnesses.

Opponents say the measure could cost taxpayers more money for insurance at a time when rates are already skyrocketing. But members of the Junior League, which sponsors a program called MindPeace, say more must be done to help families cope with mental illness.

Junior League members Julie Webster and Susan Shelton, along with Lynwood Battle, a member of the hospital's board of trustees, and Melissa Saladonis, a hospital lobbyist, came to Columbus to tell lawmakers how much they support the measure.

She said the group emphasized to the Republican lawmakers who control the legislature that mental illness affects people from all walks of life, including "middle-class, suburban Republican kids." The bill passed out of a House committee on Dec. 10 and could be voted on in the House as early as January. It would then go to the Senate.

DEVELOPMENT GURU: The business community of Southwest Ohio now has a new guardian angel.

Gov. Bob Taft named former Clermont Chamber of Commerce official Chris Smith the region's new economic development representative.

Smith, who replaced Rose Vesper on Dec. 10, is responsible for helping businesses flourish while attracting new investments into the Cincinnati area.

"We're going to identify the needs of Southwest Ohio businesses and assist in helping them grow," Smith said." The new development rep says he'll do that by introducing business owners to tax incentives and government programs, and by finding sites for new businesses.

One of the most pressing economic issues Cincinnati faces in the next five years is overseas competition that could result in job losses, Smith said. He plans to talk up Southwest Ohio's business climate to firms from other states and countries.

"Skilled labor, land availability - we have all the attributes and benefits that makes investment worthwhile," he said.

Apart from his chamber of commerce duties, Smith has been self-employed as a commercial real estate broker. He will represent Hamilton, Clermont, Butler and Warren counties in his new position.

Taft said, "Chris' strong economic development background, vast experience and understanding of state and local programs will assist the region in its business growth and expansion efforts."