Speaker Boehner Applauds House GOP's “Path to Prosperity” Budget

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement applauding House Republicans’ fiscal year 2013 budget resolution:

“Today, House Republicans are releasing a budget focused on putting Americans back to work, protecting our seniors, and closing President Obama’s massive budget deficits. The national debt now exceeds the size of our entire economy, but the president is proposing more spending and higher taxes, while Senate Democrats haven’t passed a budget in more than 1,000 days. Far from ignoring our debt crisis, Republicans are again proposing responsible solutions to tackle it once and for all, including cutting spending, reforming our broken tax code, and strengthening health and retirement security. We also propose reversing the president’s policies that are driving up gas prices, and implementing an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy to help address rising energy costs and create jobs.

“This budget builds on the pro-growth Plan for America’s Job Creators and the Pledge to America’s vision of a smaller, less costly, and more accountable government that honors freedom and opportunity. I applaud Chairman Ryan and members of the Budget Committee for putting together a budget worthy of the people we serve, and hope President Obama and Senate Democrats will finally do the same. The greatest threat to our economy and our future is doing nothing.”

More Tea Party Shenanigans in Clermont County

The GOP Rogue Report has the details...

There is an odor gaining strength in Clermont County...

The Devil We Know Will Resign

As long-time readers will know, in the Great Civil War of the Ohio Republican Party, I back Kevin DeWine not because I think he's been a great chairman who deserves to reap the benefits of his misappropriation of party funds on state central committee races, but rather because the names that Team Kasich floated in media reports were even less exciting.

Reports are out now that Chairman DeWine has decided not to seek re-election as chairman. So, now it is time for Team Kasich to stop the silliness and get serious about who they want to serve as the next chairman. Bouncin' Bob McEwen and Doug Priesse are not acceptable. Alex Arshinkoff would be an awful choice.

At the moment, I think Paul Hall would make a great chairman......ORP could use some down home leadership right about now... I'm only half kidding......

KASICH STATEMENT ON MOODY’S DECISION TO IMPROVE OHIO’S CREDIT OUTLOOK

Statement:

COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich released the following statement after the credit rating agency Moody’s announced that it has improved Ohio’s credit outlook to stable from negative:

“Moody’s decision to upgrade Ohio’s credit outlook is fantastic news and affirms that Ohio is getting back on track. Today’s announcement marks the first time since February 2007 that all three rating agencies—Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P—have given Ohio an AA+ rating with a stable outlook. Over the past year, we’ve eliminated an $8 billion budget shortfall and implemented policies that foster a jobs-friendly environment and manage taxpayer dollars in a responsible way. It’s great to know that these efforts to make Ohio’s economy stronger are getting noticed.”

BACKGROUND:

7/15/11 – S&P improves the Ohio’s credit outlook from negative to stable.

3/13/12 – U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics releases national job data showing that from January 2011 through January 2012, Ohio gained 62,500 jobs, putting Ohio first in the Midwest and fifth in the nation in total job creation.

Ohio House Finance & Appropriations Chairman Ron Amstutz on Introduction of MBR

Release:

(COLUMBUS) - Today a 2,833-page bill was introduced into the Ohio House of Representatives as requested by Governor Kasich and his administration. Following introduction, State Representative Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), Chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, provided indications as to how committee work will proceed as hearings on the bill begin Tuesday. Additionally, Chairman Amstutz made the following statement regarding House Bill 487, the Mid-Biennium Budget Review (MBR):

"Because this bill comes to us in the way operating budgets generally do rather than the more usual way that other bills come to us from administrative agencies, we are taking extraordinary steps in our process to ensure this is done properly. Members of the administration recently began outlining their intentioned recommendations to us and to the public, but today is the first day that we’ve seen any of this language in the House, and this is likely the case for many Ohioans affected by various policy changes being proposed.

“Given the size of this set of recommendations, we are beginning an ‘all hands on deck’ process to give full attention to the necessary work ahead of us. My initial sense is that many of the provisions of this legislation make sense and will result in improvements for our citizens. Some of these proposals are natural extensions of actions taken last year in the operating budget, or in other bills like the sentencing reforms enacted in HB 86.

“But there are also quite a few new policy proposals in this bill, especially in the area of taxation.

Our approach to proposed tax provisions can be divided into three parts:

Part One – Financial Institutions: State taxes on financial institutions would undergo major changes in the MBR, including a repeal of the state's corporate franchise tax. These proposals are expected to be placed into separate legislation to give it careful consideration in the House Ways and Means Committee.

Part Two – Extraction taxes on natural gas and oil liquids: This aspect of the proposal touches on a high priority for our caucus: making’s Ohio’s tax burden as equitable and competitive as possible. However, the more the members of our caucus have learned about this particular proposal, the more concerned I’ve become that there are key questions that cannot be sufficiently answered and resolved within the available legislative time frame -- especially in light of all the other legislative work on our plate.

It may be possible in the future to develop a tax reform package that makes bigger improvements in Ohio's tax equity and competitiveness.

For these reasons I expect to remove from the hearing process the portions related to the severance/income tax so that this may be heard in separate legislation in the future. This will be the only thing removed in a substitute bill I expect to offer at Tuesday's hearing of the Finance Committee. This will help all of us better focus on the remaining work.

Part Three – Additional Tax Policy Changes: These are many and deserve sufficient hearings in our committee process -- in this case, in detail before the Ways and Means Committee, with final action possible either in full Finance, or separately in Ways and Means.”

TENTATIVE HEARING SCHEDULE

To appropriately review and consider Governor Kasich’s Mid-Biennium Review the House of Representatives will enlist several standing committees of the House, besides Finance and Appropriations, to informally hear portions of the bill related to their normal subject area. A breakdown of those committees, when they are scheduled to meet and what portions of the bill they will hear is below:

Criminal Justice (Chair – Lynn Slaby)

Wednesday, March 21 at 8:30 a.m. in Rm. 114

Agencies/Topics: Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Department of Youth Services, HB 86 follow-up

Finance and Appropriations (Chair – Ron Amstutz)

Tuesday, March 20 at 10:00 a.m. in Rm. 313

Agencies/Topics: Office of Budget and Management

Health & Human Services Subcommittee of Finance and Appropriations (Chair – Jeff McClain)

Wednesday, March 21 at 9:00 a.m. in Rm. 313

Agencies/Topics: Office of Health Transformation, Medicaid, Department of Health

Thursday, March 22 at 9:00 a.m. in Rm. 313

Agencies/Topics: Department of Aging, Department of Mental Health, Department of Developmental Disabilities

Local Government (Chair – Terry Blair)

Wednesday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Rm. 121

Topics: Local Government Issues

Thursday, March 22 at 2:30 p.m. in Rm. 121

Topics: Local Government Issues

State Government (Chair – Ron Maag)

Wednesday, March 21 at 9:00 a.m. in Rm. 116

Agencies/Topics: Department of Administrative Services, State Government Agency Efficiencies and Consolidations, Land Conveyances

Ways and Means (Chair – Peter Beck)

Wednesday, March 21 at 10:00 a.m. in Rm. 122

Agencies/Topics: Office of Budget and Management, Department of Taxation, Department of Commerce; HB X -- Tax reforms impacting financial institutions and affiliates related to repeal of the remaining corporate franchise tax, expected to be placed in separate bill.

Thursday, March 22 immediately following House Session in Rm. 122

Agencies/Topics: Commercial Activities, Excise and Sales Taxes

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Mike Fox Speaks on Facebook (DUCT TAPE WARNING)

Sent over from someone who is NOT Mike Fox:

Today, my life is much different and I’m not sure where that leaves me, but I know how it feels. For those of you wondering how all this feels I can tell you in one word---lousy.

I feel like I have died, that my life is over, but yet I’m still alive. I look back and think about how I built my entire existence around serving people. Now is seems that it must have been a waste of a life. I’m struggling with this and don’t know what to do about it.

I know that these feelings are not rational nor are they sensible but I still feel that way. I’m not sure what to do. I still have absolute belief---belief in our God and his promises---I still have faith, and hope, but those threads that hold me together are thin.

I know that God promises to his believers and those who walk in his path that everything works together for good.

I have tried to find the good and it is so difficult to see right now. I know that time and patience are important and so I’ll continue to pray for God’s guidance and soothing comfort. Right now I do not feel it.

I pray that someway I will find that connection with God and my inner self, and once again feel the force of the God of peace and love, and comfort.

I don’t want my “story” to end here. I continue to want to minister to those who hurt like I do at the moment, those who face overwhelming challenges, like I have; those who have lost hope and live on nothingness, a pit of darkness I fear more than anything.

I feel I must have somehow got out of God’s favor and his purpose. I know I am not the person the government portrayed me as being. I should not be a poster boy for what’s wrong in government, but rather what’s needed in government---someone who takes the time to listen, learn, and work hard to do what’s right, fight for what’s right even when it hurts, and always take special interest in those who are down trodden.

I fell like all that is gone and more than anything I’m reaching out to you for your prayers. I thought if I gave you a sense of how I feel that you could lift me up in prayer with more precision and direction.

Simply put, I need to restore and strengthen my connection to God and figure out who I am. The pieces of who I am or was have been thrown hither and yond.
What does one do when you look back on your life and figure out that you got it all wrong?

I need God’s wisdom and insight to make it through this difficult ordeal. I am so worried about so many things, but first among them is my mother. I will be completely crushed, unbelievably crushed, if she passes while I am in jail. She is 83 and has suffered much pain and stress.

She has been under so much stress dealing with my brother and me. It breaks my heart to know that I have added to her pain. Please give her special attention in prayer and pray that she remains in good health throughout my prison term so that I may return to her and be with her in her last days.

I am taking time to sort through all the pieces and try to make sense of it. As to the judge’s decision, it wasn’t a surprise---she already had her comments written before Monday’s hearing even began. She told the probation department she had changed her opinion (In a September conference she indicated that she was leaning toward home incarceration) in late October or early November.

So…I knew it was coming, but even so it hurt when judgment was pronounced. I particularly hurt when at Monday’s hearing I had to watch a soon to be former County Commissioner, someone who had done the least to help Butler County and its citizens during his tenure in office, gleefully help put a person who did the most good for the county and its people in jail. That hurt.

Despite all the difficulties I now face I am so fortunate to have so many friends and people who know of and appreciate the good things that I have done. To you, I say thank you for your words of support and appreciation. I am blessed in so many ways and realize that compared to others my troubles are trivial.

I now am tasked to figure out what the next chapter in my life will be. I pray to God that this will not be the defining moment. I am going to work hard to make all of this work out for good and I am so grateful for those whose prayers and words of support are there to push me forward. I have not, nor will I ever betray the trust and faith you placed in me throughout my career.

Thank you all.

What a &^%^$%*( tool. Not one word of remorse. And that this jack@$$ has the nerve to disrespect Chuck Furmon in his parting shot on his way to Pound You in the @$$ Federal Prison is just the epitome of hypocrisy and hubris.

Mike, Chuck Furmon did what you claimed to be about. Furmon has integrity. He looked out for the public good. You, jack@$$, are the one who lied, cheated, and stole from the good people of Butler County and how dare you insult the one man who actually did something about YOUR crimes.

Bottom line, Mike: If you don't want to do the time, DON'T DO THE %^*$&^(% CRIME! Enjoy your time in prison, Mike...and maybe you'll learn a little humility while you are in there.

Florida Dems Desecrate American Flag with Obama's Likeness

This is an outrage....from Ch 9 in florida:

Tempers are flaring over a version of the American flag flying in Lake County. A veterans group says the flag is an outrage.

The flag, which features a picture of President Obama, was taken down Tuesday afternoon.

Korean war veteran Don Van Beck said his blood was boiling.

"I can't describe how upset was because you just don't do that to the American flag," Van Beck said.

Van Beck found it flying outside Lake County Democratic headquarters under the stars and stripes. Marine Corps vet John Masterjohn was seeing red.

"Joseph Stalin, pictures of Mao, pictures of Adolph Hitler. The pomp, the ceremony -- the flags like that," Masterjohn said.

Nearly a dozen veterans went to the door and aimed to take it down.

"No. This is private property. This is private property. You're not allowed to touch anything. I'll call the police," Democratic Party chairwoman Nancy Hulbert said. "Just went online. Just went online and looked up the flag code. There is no higher-up in Lake County. I'm responsible. I take responsibility."

"If you've been a veteran and fought -- and some died for this flag -- you don't want to see it desecrated. That's how simple it is," Van Beck said.

Dennis the Menace Update: Turns Cult on Jessica Little

Dennis the Menace Just can't stay out of politics. The multi-time loser, not just in elections but in court battles, has filed papers to run as an Independent for Prosecutor in November. He will be going against incumbent Republican Jessica Little and former Democrat (whose term was known for corruption and cronyism and slow wheels of justice) Tom Grennan.

So now, rather than going after Wenninger, his long time nemesis, Varnau figures to sharpen the knives against someone he tried to ruin when they were first running for office. You may recall that Dennis, without permission of Little, used her campaign colors and a picture of her on a sign for his own campaign for sheriff (which by the way, EPICLY FAILED! in getting Dennis elected and EPICLY FAILED! in stymieing Little). This must be payback, because Dennis thinks they were supposed to be a new dynamic duo, with him as batman and Jessica as Robin. Well, Dennis got his sidekicked, and Jessica has gone on to have a good run so far as prosecutor. Wonder what will Dennis's platform be? "I couldn't beat the guy, so now I'll try a woman"? Or "I can't arrest people, but I sure can try em"? Or how about "I'm just a pathetic egomaniac who can't stop with conspiracies and tin foil hat stories to keep myself in the news"? I like that one best.

Obama FAILS on Contraception Mandate

From CNS News:

A significant majority – 57 percent -- of Americans believe religiously-affiliated employers such as universities or hospitals should be able to opt out of the Obama administration’s mandate to cover the cost of contraception, abortifacients, and sterilization for female employees, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll released Tuesday.

Fifty-one percent believe all employers should be able to opt out.

The New York Times/CBS News poll's questions were not exactly accurate because they only mentioned "birth control" in describing the mandate. They did not mention that the mandate also requires coverage for sterilizations and drugs that induce abortions.

Question 73 of the poll asks: “Do you think health insurance plans for all employees [sic] should have to cover the full cost of birth control for their female employees, or should employers be allowed to opt out of covering that based on religious or moral objections?”

Fifty-one percent said yes to this question and only 40 percent said employers should be required cover birth control. The remaining 8 percent responded either “don’t know” or “depends.”

Question 74 asked: “What about for religiously affiliated employers, such as a hospital or university? Do you think their health insurance plans for all employees should have to cover the full cost of birth control for their female employees, or should they be allowed to opt out of covering that based on religious or moral objections?

Here, 57 percent said religiously-affiliated employers such as a hospital or university should be able to opt out. Only 36 percent said these institutions should be required to cover birth control. The remaining 7 percent either didn’t know or said it depends.

President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats have sought to take political advantage of the controversy over whether HHS should force people--particularly Catholics--to act against their faith in purchasing or providing insurance coverage for sterilizations and all FDA-approved contraceptives including those that cause abortions. Democrats and the administration have tried to frame the issue as a question of conservatives and Catholic bishops waging a war on women.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have said the regulation, which would force Catholics to act against the teachings of their faith, is an "unprecedented attack" on religious liberty. Many American Catholic bishops have addressed letters to the Catholics in their dioceses, saying: "We cannot--we will not--comply with this unjust law."

Somewhere, Rush Limbaugh is laughing....and so am I....

While They Eat Steak and Truffles, and You Scrounge for Gas Money....

Joe Biden wants you to know that only Democrats know about the little guy....

from the Washington Examiner:

Vice President Joe Biden addressed 87 wealthy Democrats last night attending a fundraiser at the home of Sen. John Kerry in Georgetown. As they dined on grass-fed New York strip steaks and white truffle mashed potatos underneath a outdoor tent, Biden criticized Republicans for being out of touch.

“These guys don’t have a sense of the average folks out there,” Biden said according to the pool report, “They don’t know what it means to be middle class.”

87 guests paid a minimum of $10,000-per-couple to attend the dinner.

When I met Rick Santorum, we weren't eating high on the hog...just plain ole rubber chicken and the usual....Democrats are the party of big business, corporations, and screwing the little guy....

Obama Watches Hoop While Gas Prices Burn American Wallets

Obama is doing nothing about gas prices, which according to National Review, are worse than even a surface reading indicates:

But look beyond that, to the chart inside, which compares the average price of a gallon of gasoline over the past 90 years.While the peak in the summer of 2008 was $4.27, the March 12 average of $3.83 surpasses everything else before it – from the beginning of the chart in 1920 (when only a small fraction of Americans owned cars!) and through the Great Depression and through the 1973 oil crisis and through the late 1970s and 1980s, the Persian Gulf War, and after 9/11. Note that every other spike in prices tends to coincide with economic hard times.

In other words, adjusted for inflation, today’s gas prices – in March! — are worse than during every preceding gas price spike, except the peak of summer in 2008.

Check out the whole thing including the charts and graphs. We are so screwed. This manchild ignoramous of a President with his intolerant we want free sex and drugs crowd of followers is running us into the ground....

Obama FAILS in the age old Question and Bernanke Watches it Burn

Are you better off today than you were four years ago?

The answer? 80% say no. From a CBS News Poll found over at national review:

In today’s CBS News poll:

Compared to four years ago, is your family’s financial situation better today, worse today, or about the same?

The survey finds 20 percent say better today, 37 percent say worse today, and 43 percent say “about the same.”

But, according to Ben Bernanke, all is well:

The Federal Reserve sounds a bit more upbeat about the job market and the global economy, but still the central bank is erring on the side of caution.

Following a meeting on Tuesday, the Fed's key policymaking committee voted to make no changes to its ongoing stimulus programs.

The central bank still plans to keep the federal funds rate at record lows "at least through late 2014." The Fed has held interest rates near zero since December 2008, hoping cheaper access to credit would spur economic growth.

Meanwhile, the program known as Operation Twist remains in place, shifting $400 billion from short-term to long-term bonds. The hope is that this program will bring down long-term interest rates on everything from car loans to mortgages.

With all these stimulus measures playing out, the Fed is still counting on sluggish economic growth this year.

What a mess. Are we ever screwed....

Another Reason Romney Not Trustworthy: The Company He Keeps

From our friends over at 3BP:

A month ago on BigGovernment.com and Third Base Politics, we told you about how Mitt Romney’s campaign has been relying on Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine and a scandal-plagued political consultant named Brett Buerck to advise him on his Ohio campaign.

Brett Buerck, widely known among Ohio political activists for his scandal plagued career, is now back as one of Mitt Romney’s point men in organizing Ohio. Buerck is also known as ORP Chairman DeWine’s closest consultant on Party politics. Finally, Romney’s sole appearance in Ohio during this entire campaign season was months ago when he appeared arm-in-arm with DeWine in southeast Ohio and proceeded to flip flop against Kasich’s government union reform bill, all at the recommendation of DeWine.

In other words, Romney is counting on Buerck and DeWine to lead him to victory in Ohio.

In fact, if you remember last fall when Romney punted on supporting governor John Kasich’s government union reforms in Ohio, it was reported that it was DeWine who advised him not to get involved with the issue. The reforms were strongly supported by the grassroots conservatives who vote in Ohio’s primary, and the incident surely cost him votes in the state. Romney later said he supported those reforms, furthering the “flip-flopper” narrative that his opponents use against him. In short, the entire incident was a disaster for him and it all started with bad advice from DeWine.

But it gets worse...This Buerck clown really is a colossal f-up:

The incompetence didn’t end there. In a press release likely put together by the Buerck/DeWine team, they listed a “Mr. Butterworth” as an Ohio state representative part of Romney’s Ohio team, when no such representative has ever existed in the Ohio Legislature.
A couple of weeks ago, Romney suffered another embarrassment in Ohio when Attorney General and former Senator Mike DeWine withdrew his endorsement of Romney and switched to Rick Santorum. Mike DeWine and Kevin DeWine are second cousins, and not necessarily very friendly with each other. The Ohio AG said he felt snubbed by the Romney campaign.

GEORGETOWN, Ohio -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says he didn't call the Romney campaign before endorsing Rick Santorum because "they haven't called me for months."
"I didn't think I owed them anything," DeWine told BuzzFeed tonight at a Lincoln Day Dinner event in Brown County that featured Santorum as a speaker. "They didn't have the courtesy to have the Governor even ever call me. Even after I endorsed him and called to say I was endorsing him."

In just the past few hours, the reason he didn’t get a call has become clear. In an email, Brett Buerck advised the campaign that it would be a waste of time, and went on to rudely insult Mike DeWine. Buerck intended to send the email to Kevin DeWine in his communication with the Romney campaign. However, he accidentally sent the message calling Mike DeWine “very high maintenance” to Mike DeWine himself. Oops.

This is the leadership in Ohio GOP circles. It is no wonder we can't get things done right and just engage in circle firing squads. Kevin DeWine and Mr. Buerck really seem to be on the ball, don't they? Oh boy are we ever screwed......

OH Democrat Lawmaker Indicted...

From 10TV in Columbus:

Ohio State Rep. W. Carlton Weddington resigned from the state legislature and surrendered to investigators Tuesday morning following his indictment on charges of bribery, election falsification and filing a false ethics statement.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said the three felony bribery charges handed down against state Rep. W. Carlton Weddington, of Columbus, are the first of their kind against a state lawmaker since 1912.

O'Brien and Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent Edward Hanko said the second-term Democrat took bribes of checks, cash and all-expense paid trips to South Beach, Miami, and Napa Valley, Calif., in 2011. O'Brien said the trips were three or four days each.

Weddington faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison if convicted on all counts. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday, O'Brien said.

Weddington, 41, served on the Columbus Board of Education until he was first elected to the Ohio House in 2008. He is the ranking Democratic member of the Local Government Committee, and also sits on the House finance and criminal justice panels.

Yep, the party of the little guy....sure....not buyin' it.

BUTLER COUNTY: Fox Gets 48 Month in PRISON PRISON (21-Dancing Snoopy Salute)

This is a day that many of us in Butler County who demand accountability from elected officials have been waiting for for a long, long time.

Mike Fox gets sentenced to 48 months in prison prison and not home confinement.

God Bless Chuck Furmon. He had the courage to speak out against the culture of corruption. Too bad the voters of Butler County chose not to remember that integrity is something to be rewarded.

UPDATE: Hamilton Journal piece.

UPDATE 2: Enquirer

UPDATE 3: Fox19

UPDATE 4: WVXU

Butler County Presidential Nominee Politics

Over the weekend, I received an email that I thought I would address here because it gives me a chance to talk about a few things beyond just the question that was asked...

Roger writes:

Enjoy your post but I need you to answer, why did the BC GOP not support Santorum? They were all leaning towards Romney, why?

First of all, thanks for reading the post and the blog...

Now on to the red meat...

We need to define "BC GOP" or Butler County Republican Party. Most folks think those terms refer to the party itself. I don't think that is what Roger is actually asking here. I suspect Roger is inquiring about the election results, which is about Butler County's registered Republican voters and not the party itself.

As far as I know, and if I am wrong, I'm sure I'll hear about it; the Butler County Republican Party did not endorse any candidate for Republican nominee to the office of President of the United States. So, in that sense, the BC GOP didn't support ANY candidate. If/When a candidate asked for resources such as information, I am quite sure that the party was cooperative with every campaign that asked.

However, the registered voters in Butler County favored Mitt Romney. The question that I think Roger wants answered is why. The answer starts with this...

This "country club" used to be the headquarters of the Butler County Republican Party. It is the perfect symbol for the registered Republican voters in Butler County, who turned out to support an establishment "country club" Republican.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe that the Santorum camp dropped the ball BIG TIME (as former VP Dick Cheney might say) here in the Great State of Beautiful Ohio, but he had delegates for Butler County and his name did appear twice on the ballot as it should have (at least in my precinct anyway). Rick campaigned pretty hard in Ohio and just came up a little short.

Back on point, while I think some progress has been made in advancing conservatism in Butler County (as opposed to raw Republicanism), we still have a LONG way to go. I take note that Sheriff Spotlight had a pretty BAD night on E-Day here. He endorsed Jeff Wyrick who lost 60-40 and Santorum. We're still waiting on recount and provisional ballots to see if Spotlight's chosen crony for county commissioner, St. Rep. Corky Combs, gets to surrender Butler County's budget to the Sheriff or not.

All in all, the answer to the question, Roger, is that while Butler County enjoys the reputation and being the reddest county in Ohio, it isn't the most conservative county in Ohio. That distinction is what made the difference. The Tea Party still has a LOT of work to do in educating the rank and file here in Butler County.

OSD-17: Peterson Applies for Ohio Senate Vacancy

Release:

(Columbus) - Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus and Ross County Republican Party Chairwoman Diane Carnes announced today that State Representative Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) is the only applicant to fill the vacancy in Ohio's 17th District Senate seat.

"Bob has strong support not only from the members of our caucus but also from the county party leaders in the district who will join us in this selection process," said Niehaus. "I will be contacting the party chairs in the district to share Bob's application and get a quick and unanimous consensus for his appointment and nomination."

The 23-member Senate Republican Caucus is responsible for appointing a replacement to the seat; however, state law requires the seat to stand for election on the November general election ballot because the vacancy was created within 20 months of a resigning member's term. The candidate appearing on the ballot must be nominated by the central committee chairs and secretaries of the 10 county Republican parties in the district.

NOTE: Earlier Cliff Rosenberger announced that he was passing. Is the fix in? :)

St. Rep. Combs To Introduce Bill To Repeal Daylight Savings Time

Release:

Columbus – State Representative Courtney Combs (R- Hamilton) will introduce legislation today to repeal Daylight Savings Time in Ohio, and keep the state on standard time throughout the year. Under the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966, a state can move off DST by passing legislation at the state level.

“It is time to retire this World War I era antique” Combs said. “Daylight Savings Time is a perfect example of a government policy far outliving its usefulness and continuing simply because that’s the way it has always been done. While it may have made sense when the government was fighting a war, it has no place in a modern world. Nowadays, all it does is inconvenience people twice a year”

Currently, the states of Hawaii and Arizona, as well as all the American insular territories (Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands) do not utilize Daylight Savings Time. In recent years, efforts have been put forth in Alaska, Colorado, and Florida to eliminate the time change.

Originally put forth as a wartime conservation effort, recently doubts have grown about the environmental effectiveness of Daylight Savings Time with regards to saving energy. Studies done by the National Bureau of Standards have found no discernible energy savings from the time shift. As a result of examining utility bills in jurisdictions that have moved back and forth between DST and year-long standard time have actually shown that the time shift increased electricity consumption

Mark's Take on Primary 2012 OH

Fear, loathing, and adherence to "conventional wisdom" ruled the day in Ohio, especially in SW Ohio. Also, I learned that the disgusting, fear/hate mongering, misrepresenting of records in radio ads used by the slimeball Mark Weaver are more powerful than truth, because people in a certain congressional district evidently are too stupid and lazy to use google. I also learned that good races can be run, as in my home county of Brown the Republican primary was fought honorably with all four candidates running a respectable race, unlike the dirty lame, easily disproven rhetoric in the 2nd congressional race.

The Good

Brown County Clerk of Courts Race was fought honorably, and appears to have been won by Clark Gray on the Republican side. No mudslinging, no craziness, just good old fashioned campaigning.

The Ohio 66th district would have been represented well with either Nick Owens or Doug Green, but Congrats go to my friend and soon to be former county Auditor, Doug Green, for his victory. The good news is that Nick Owens is a young guy, earned a lot of political street cred, and is not going anywhere. Nick is a great guy, and many who voted for Doug told me that Nick was their 2nd choice. The other jokers just took votes from the fringes.

Friend of WMD and TIB John Becker handily defeated his primary opponent in the 65th Ohio house district. Congrats to a great guy and better friend!

The race for state senate 14th district remains up for grabs. While either candidate is acceptable, my hope is that Paul Hall wins. I have known him longer and respect him a great deal.

The Bad

Mitt Romney wins in a narrow fashion of Rick Santorum. Ohio republicans seem to be afraid of everything. Too conservative? Not conservative enough? So we frequently get squishes...(See Voinovich, George; Taft, Bob; Portman, Rob) So, Ohio let the lamestream media, which castigates Rush Limbaugh for calling a person who lied about her age to college officials, lied about her agenda and does want others to pay for her sexual exploits a whore, while saying nothing about Bill Maher calling Sarah Palin a c*nt or Michelle Bachmann the same or worse. You ask me where the war on women is, it is in the democratic party, where you are asked to be either a multi divorcee, a never married strumpet, or some type of weird hybrid in order to be considered a real woman. Ohioans did not cowboy up. Shameful.

The Ugly

Ohio GOP sell out Jean Schmidt to save Steve Chabot's a$$. Hamilton County killed Jean Schmidt. Clermont didn't help much. But it was the redistricting done by the state to save supposed conservative (just don't film my supposedly public meetings) Chabot that helped do in one of the most conservative members of Congress.
Here is what I learned from this ugliness that makes this seat up for grabs for the first time since Rob Portman left it a few years back:

1. Dirtbag Mark Weaver's negative, slimy, slanderous radio ads work. Even though they were largely untrue and factually inaccurate, they turned enough heads in Clermont and other counties so that she couldn't stand the swelling from Wenstrup's home area of Hamilton County.

2. Alex T. is a douche. What about needing to get behind our incumbents. My sources tell me Alex T. was a wenstrup guy all along. Douche.

3. Ohio 2nd district voters are too lazy to use the computer or consult real sources. Rather than going to lame sites like USAbrad.douchebag, they could google things and see the real news...or come to WMD. No, instead, you believe whatever you hear on 700wlw. Pathetic.

My projections on The Implications if Wenstrup wins:
1. Brown, and the other eastern counties will never see Brad Wenstrup. Jean Schmidt bent over backwards to attend every large and small event in our counties or send someone from her office. Don't look for that from Brad. Until election time.

2. Voters in Brown and the other eastern Counties should have to be IQ tested before voting. Seriously, you voted for a foot doctor who likes to give money to baby killers over someone who is one of the top conservatives according to numerous sources?

3. The 2nd district will become a joke. Goodbye to any thoughts of getting the right thing done for the people of Piketon. This was a crusade for Jean Schmidt. That kiss that the slimeball slanderer Mark Weaver used in the radio ads? Each one of those damned kisses had the whisper of "remember and honor your promise about Piketon, Mr. President."

Last word to you Dr. Wenstrup. You better damn well be the 2nd coming of Captain America, my friend. Whether this blog continues after this election cycle or not, Matt and I have a saying....Tall grass.....tall grass.....we will be watching. You better never vote for a damn bill put forth by a democrat or Obama, or so help me I will nail your lying in public and giving money to baby killers arse to the wall with the language of your slimy campaign commercials. Welcome to the jungle....let's see if you can stand the heat. Oh, and I will not be campaigning for you in the fall....I won't campaign against you, but I am not campaigning for you. You have to earn that.

(Ohio) Constitutional Modernization Commission Announces Public Colloquium

Release:

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission announced that the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law will be hosting a Colloquium that is open to the public on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 8:30AM – 12:30PM in the Riffe Capitol Theatre in downtown Columbus.

The Colloquium will feature discussions on other states' experiences with constitutional commissions, Ohio's history of constitutional revision, the role of state constitutions, and procedural options for the Constitutional Modernization Commission. A more detailed agenda is forthcoming.

To register for the Colloquium and obtain further details, please visit: http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/emails/colloquium/colloquium.html.

The Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission is a bipartisan committee charged under R.C. 103.61 with examining the state constitution and making recommendations to the Ohio Legislature. The Colloquium Planning Committee was formed with assistance by the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law faculty to hold a Colloquium for the Commission members and interested members of the public.

Speaker Batchelder, Chairman Huffman Release Statement Following Ohio Primary

Release:

COLUMBUS—Following Tuesday’s primary election in Ohio, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) released the following statement:

“Ohio House Republicans have a strong record of defending our incumbent members, and we are pleased that all six of our members who faced challengers in the primary were successful, in many cases by wide margins. This shows that our work during this General Assembly and the course we have set for Ohio is one that Ohioans recognize as beneficial for the future of our state. We will continue to work to make Ohio a better place to live, work, raise a family and start a business, and we will accomplish this with the help of these dedicated and hard-working individuals.”

Additionally, Chairman of the Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee Matt Huffman (R-Lima) released the following statement:

“Speaker Batchelder and I are extremely pleased with the strong slate of candidates that we have going into the 2012 elections, and we look forward to working with them to ensure that we retain the majority in the Ohio House of Representatives. These men and women have the leadership to keep Ohio’s momentum moving in the right direction toward a more business-friendly, economically competitive environment where jobs can flourish. Now more than ever, Ohioans need and deserve capable leaders who will make the difficult decisions that must be made, and our candidates are those leaders who have a dynamic vision for Ohio’s future and how to get there.”

The current House Republican members who won their primaries were Representatives Peter Stautberg (House District 27), Andy Brenner (House District 67), Margaret Ann Ruhl (House District 68), Robert Sprague (House District 83), John Adams (House District 85), and Jeff McClain (House District 87).

The candidates who won primaries were Mark Romanchuk (House District 2), Mike Wilson (House District 28), Louis W. Blessing III (House District 29), Randy Law (House District 64), John Becker (House District 65), Doug Green (House District 66), Rick Perales (House District 73), Matt Lynch (House District 76), Ron Hood (House District 78), and Charles Richter (House District 94).

Reaction to DeWine Quote

Chairman Kevin DeWine:

"There were good people on both sides of the leadership contest and now that it's finally over, we must join together to unify our party moving forward. There will no doubt be a few dissidents who try to continue this dispute. When they do, they will answer to the millions of Republicans in this nation who are counting on Ohio to ensure the defeat of Barack Obama in November.

What we have in Ohio isn't a "party", sir, what we have here is thuggery, coercion, and intimidation by another name.

While I prefer the Chairman over the devil we don't know, I have NOT and will NOT support or condone his tactics in this altercation. Spending party resources on State Central Committee seats, without the knowledge of at least some of these candidates, is unwise, unethical, and an abuse of the trust Ohio Republicans have placed in the party and its leadership.

I grow weary of the establishment and their continued bullying. At some point, these guys will all learn the lesson. Until then, I recommend we hit them where it hurts: the pocketbook. Make whatever donations you deem appropriate to the various and sundry candidates as you see fit, but NOT ONE RED CENT TO THE OHIO REPUBLICAN PARTY until it is written in to the by-laws that party funding will NEVER be used again for State Central Committee races. Using party funds to back people loyal to the Chairman was despicable and uncalled for...

Oh, and Team Kasich...I didn't care for your antics either...but we'll save that for whenever one of you crawls out from the shadows and leaves us a quote we can find.......

Gibbs/Jordan/Tiberi Statement on Air Force Announcement

Release:

Congressmen Bob Gibbs (R-Lakeville), Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), and Patrick J. Tiberi (R-Galena) issued the following statement on Tuesday’s force structure announcement by the Air Force calling for a reduction of more than 800 positions at the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield:

We continue to oppose the short-sighted plan of the Obama Administration to cancel the C-27J program and leave the 179th without a flying mission. The outstanding men and women of the 179th have been key to our security efforts for more than 60 years. They always stand ready to accept whatever mission is assigned to them. Their superior record of achievement is the reason they were selected to receive the nation’s first C-27J mission.

The Pentagon threatened Mansfield’s mission during the 2005 base closure round, but ultimately realized that closing the 179th would result in the departure of hundreds of highly trained men and women from the National Guard. Unfortunately, this is what the Obama Administration is again risking by targeting the C-27J program.

Our nation needs a strong National Guard to assist with cost-effective overseas operations. With two of Mansfield’s C-27Js currently in Afghanistan in support of our efforts there, the 179th is right now proving the value of this plane to our national defense.

Our states need a strong Guard to provide swift disaster response in times of crisis. Last week’s devastating tornadoes in southern Ohio and the immediate response of Ohio’s Guardsmen demonstrate how critical this need is.

We will not give up. Congress will decide the future of the C-27J program through our regular authorization and appropriations processes. The program has enjoyed strong support from throughout the nation in the past. We will continue to fight on behalf of the 179th and its mission and against the President’s plan to eliminate it. We must keep Mansfield’s loyal, highly skilled Guardsmen on the job—or risk weakening our national defense and homeland response capability.

Primary Analysis

Kind of a mixed bag, really...

The Good

Dennis Kucinich can now return to his home planet a loser

In Butler County, Mary Swain crushed Cindy Carpenter: The Next Generation by a score of 60 - 40

Over in Brown County, Doug Green wins for State Rep. Nick Owens ran a great campaign, is a young guy, and will be back.

73rd OHD: Jarrod Martin is done. Would have preferred Eric Spicer for the win, but Rick Perales will have to do

The Bad

Multiple opponents wasn't enough to keep Chuck Furmon as Commissioner in Butler County

Peggy Lehner defeated her primary opponent for State Senate.

The Ugly

USA Brad defeats Jean Schmidt in OH-02. Let's hope he gets to take on David Krikorian in the general. COAST won't know who to endorse......

Mitt Romney. Looks like I'll be voting AGAINST Obama, but not FOR the Republican...again. *()&$%$)&*^&%^#@

Matt's Endorsements

FEDERAL

GOP Candidate for President: Rick Santorum -- It is no secret that I have not been wild about this field; but having heard Santorum speak, he's got my vote.

US Senate: Josh Mandel -- As much as I wish Josh would have finished his term as Treasurer, he is the best candidate in this field. He would serve us well in DC.

OH-02: Jean Schmidt -- Jean has proven her conservative credentials over the years. She may have made a few mistakes along the way, but Club for Growth, the National Taxpayers Union, and the National journal all rate her very high.

OH-03: John Adams -- Adams is a smart legislator and he is the right guy for this race.

OH-05: Bob Latta -- Latta has been effective in DC and he is one of the few in the Ohio delegation on the cutting edge of digital communications with his constituents.

OH-07: Bob Gibbs -- I had my doubts about Gibbs, but he has shown what he is made of since taking this seat. He deserves another term to continue his work.

OH-08: John Boehner -- He's the Speaker of the House for goodness sakes...

OH-09: Joe the Plumber -- The general is going to be a fun race to watch (heck, the Dem primary has been entertaining!). If we get the right candidate, this one will be competitive. Joe is the right guy.

OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

6th Ohio Senate: Paul Isaacs -- I hope this one is the upset of the night. Peggy Lehner has been a disappointment and it is time to end her career before she does any more damage.

14th Ohio Senate: Paul Hall -- While Joe Uecker would also be acceptable, I've known Paul longer and am confident that he would represent the district very well.

27th Ohio House: Pete Stautberg -- It took us years to get rid of Tom Brinkman, let's put the last nail in the coffin of his political career.

28th Ohio House: Mike Wilson -- Mike deserves a second shot at Connie Pillich in the general.

51st Ohio House: Wes Retherford -- Yes, he has no opponent, but we ALWAYS support contributors to the program here at WMD.

65th Ohio House: John Becker -- Even if John weren't a "friend of the show" he would get my endorsement. John has integrity and is principle-centered. We need those qualities in Columbus.

66th Ohio House: Nick Owens -- This young man has been impressive. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who has worked harder for the win than Eric. While Doug Green would also be acceptable, Owens gets the edge here.

73rd Ohio House: Eric Spicer -- Everything I hae heard about Eric makes me believe he is the right guy to send to Columbus. The incumbent is no good, so it is time for some new blood.

BUTLER COUNTY

Commissioner: Chuck Furmon -- Chuck is one of the few "old guard" Butler County Republicans who deserves re-election. Chuck has worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents and has the experience required to keep the county on track.

Clerk of Courts: Mary Swain -- Mary has done a tremendous job of cleaning up the mess left by Hurricane Cindy.

Kasich Deploys National guard to Southern Ohio to Expedite Storm Clean-Up & Boost ODOT, Local Efforts

Release:

COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich deployed Ohio National Guard units to southern Ohio to help expedite clean-up efforts after last Friday’s tornados and severe storms. On Saturday the governor declared a State of Emergency for Clermont County and dispatched crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation to help local officials with debris removal efforts.

Additionally, after Clermont County officials’ report this morning of 98 destroyed or severely damaged homes, the governor has asked federal inspectors to determine if affected families are eligible for federal relief programs or low-interest loans. Federal inspectors pledged to begin within 24 hours.

“The National Guard will be an important boost to ODOT crews and local efforts and allow us to speed-up debris removal so communities and families can begin getting their lives back together. Southern Ohio experienced intense damage that I saw firsthand on Saturday when I inspected the area and issued a State of Emergency. Hopefully we can get a quick answer from the federal inspectors on what additional resources might be available to help people begin recovering,” said Kasich.

Families with storm damage needs seeking immediate assistance should call:

Adams County Emergency Management Agency: 937-544-6123
Brown County Emergency Management Agency: 937-378-5100
Clermont County Emergency Management Agency: 513-732-7661
Scioto County Emergency Management Agency: 740-355-8300