Rep. Jordan Statement on the Budget Control Act

Release:

Washington, DC – Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan released the following statement in regards to his decision to vote against the Budget Control Act of 2011:

 

“Just a few weeks ago, the Balanced Budget Amendment wasn’t even a part of the conversation, despite the overwhelming support it has among the American public.  Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of conservatives, it is now an integral part of the debate over how to solve America’s spending problem.”

 

“The growing momentum toward requiring Washington to actually balance its budget shows that House Republicans have connected with the American people.  Leading Democrats are another story.  Senator Reid and President Obama are still trying to fool the American people into thinking we can keep borrowing and spending like there is no tomorrow.”

 

“I sincerely appreciate Speaker Boehner’s tireless work to achieve real spending cuts without tax increases, and I know there will be good conservatives on both sides of this vote.”

 

“If this bill becomes law, rest assured that Americans will insist that the promise of sending a Balanced Budget Amendment to the states be kept.  Unfortunately, Senator Reid plans to strip out the Balanced Budget Amendment requirement or let this bill die altogether.  If he does so, let’s remember that a bipartisan group of 234 House members already passed a responsible Cut, Cap, and Balance compromise plan to protect our AAA credit rating and solve the country’s debt problems.”

ORP: Boehner Deserves Great Credit for Spending Reform Plan Which Averts Default

Release:

Columbus - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine released the following statement this evening in response to passage of the Budget Control Act of 2011  in the United States House of Representatives:

"The lack of leadership from President Obama during negotiations on the debt ceiling has been an epic failure for our prosperity as a nation," Chairman DeWine said.

"Speaker Boehner deserves great credit for presenting and passing not one, but two plans which guarantee spending reform and stand firm against President Obama's desire for steep tax increases on the backs of Ohio job creators.  The responsibility now falls to Sherrod Brown and the U.S. Senate to move beyond this Democratically-manufactured crisis and show financial markets that the United States will avoid default on its financial obligations."

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Mike Scinto Gets It!

One of my radio heroes is Mike Scinto from the Dayton (OH) area.  Unfortunately most folks probably won't recognize his name but he was an influence on me back in the day and over on Facebook, I see that he still gets it:<blockquote>I live in John Boehner's district. He is my Congressman. He is the people's Speaker of the House. He is a consummate negotiator, a dedicated servant of the people and is standing up to Obama. Many in the Tea Party believe he is selling out.I subscribe to their ideals, they are the new kids on the block and want everything changed yesterday. It doesn't work that way. You fix what you can, when you can.

...

If you're against Boehner, who is giving his all, I am against you. Being naive is the fastest way to failure in D.C. Patience is a virtue. We will win but not overnight. You see there are just as many liberals who believe their way is the ...best way. We disagree. They outnumber us in two of the three venues necessary to change policy. We need to be willing to compromise to play or we'll be sent home. John Boehner knows that. He is a true PATRIOT. </blockquote> Right on.

The Ohio Fraternity House of Representatives

Your Delta Tau Chi name is Fishy...as in drinks like a.....

The more I hear about St. Rep. Jarrod Martin and his history with alcohol, the less convinced I am that his recent legal troubles aren't something we shouldn't concern ourselves.  The latest revelation regarding Martin is that last year, he was found in a very intoxicated state slumped over his vehicle in the statehouse parking garage.

I'm going to ask this question once again: Does ANYBODY still think it is a good idea to install a BAR at the state house?

Speaker Batchelder had better get his house in order quickly...and Chairman Kevin DeWine ought to take another look at the Zero Tolerance Policy too.  The rank and file are counting on the leaders of the party to do what they need to do to eliminate these kinds of problems.  We've tried sweeping things under a rug and hoping they will go away...that method only makes our problems worse.  Get out in front of this fiasco and actually Lead Ohio as you promised to do.

Patience with this nonsense is wearing thin...

Kasich "Simply Thrilled" About Chesapeake Energy's New Gas Discovery in Ohio

Release:

COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich released the following statement in response to Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s announcement that shale deposits in eastern Ohio contain vast amounts of recoverable natural gas and other hydrocarbons:

“This is huge news for Ohioans and I’m simply thrilled to hear it.  I’m especially glad that this can mean a shot-in-the-arm for eastern Ohio.  For more than a year I’ve monitored the shale issue to be ready in the event of good news like this, and soon after taking office I brought together the relevant agencies to begin crafting policies that maximize both job creation and environmental stewardship.  These and other shale-related issues will be even more important to discuss now at September’s energy policy summit.

“Just as I’m excited about the direct benefit that can come from production-related jobs, I’m also excited about the potential for jobs at pipeline and processing facilities.  Equally important is how manufacturing and agriculture can benefit from new access to a plentiful, domestic energy source.  I believe that we could be at the beginning of a new and extended positive chapter in Ohio’s economy and it’s essential that we properly marshal our economic development, job training, environmental and regulatory assets to make this work right and work well for Ohio.”

###

Read Chesapeake’s announcement here.

AFP-Ohio Announces Taxpayer Town Halls

Release:

COLUMBUS- Americans for Prosperity-Ohio kicks off a statewide series of Taxpayer Town Halls on August 16th in the Greater Cincinnati Area.  AFP-Ohio is partnering with Tea Parties, 9-12 Groups, and other liberty organizations to host these town halls, which will focus on the financial crises many local governments across Ohio are facing, how those crises could affect citizens, jobs and our economy, what local governments can do to address their financial challenges, and how Senate Bill 5 can help.

"Now that Ohio has passed a budget that addresses Ohio’s financial crisis without raising taxes, we need to turn our focus to the financial struggles many of our local governments are facing," said AFP-Ohio State Director Rebecca Heimlich.  "Ohio cannot continue on a path to jobs and prosperity if local governments increase taxes or are forced to layoff employees.  Local governments need to use tools that will allow them to balance their budgets by more efficiently, effectively, and transparently managing taxpayer dollars."

Below is a list of Taxpayer Town Halls AFP-Ohio encourages citizens to attend so they can learn more and find out what they can do to help.  Over the next few weeks, AFP-Ohio will announce more Taxpayer Town Halls across the state.

Greater Cincinnati Area - East

When:  Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 7:00pm

Where:  Connections Church, 7421 East Galbraith Road,  Madeira, OH 45243*

Partner:  Eastern Hills Community Tea Party

Geauga County

When:  Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 7:00pm

Where:  Orchard Hills Event Center, 11414 Caves Road, Chesterland, OH 44026

Partner:  Chesterland Tea Party

Tiffin

When:  Thursday, September 1, 2011, 6:30pm

Where:  Camden Falls Conference Center, 2460 S. S.R. 231, Tiffin, OH  44883

Partner:  North Central Ohio Conservatives

Troy

When:  Tuesday, September 13, 2011, 7:00pm

Where:  Crystal Room next to Club 55, 845 West Market Street, Troy, OH 45373

Partner:  Miami County Liberty

Greater Cincinnati Area - West

When:  Wednesday, September 14, 2011, 7:00pm (you can join your fellow patriots and purchase dinner at the Farm at 6:00pm)

Where:  The Farm, 239 Anderson Ferry Road, Cincinnati, OH 45238

Partners:  Southwest Cincinnati Tea Party, Northwest Hamilton County Tea Party

Norwalk

When:  Monday, September 26, 2011, 7:00pm

Where:  Norwalk High School, 350 Shady Lane Drive, Norwalk, OH 44857

Partner:  If You Believe

Screening Panel Unanimously Recommends Pelanda, Hill for House Vacancies

Release:

COLUMBUS—State Representative Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), who chaired the panel screening candidates for two vacant House seats today, announced that the panel unanimously recommended Dorothy Liggett Pelanda of Marysville for the 83^rd House District seat and Brian Hill of Zanesville for the 94^th House District seat.  The 83^rd and 94^th House District seats were recently vacated by former Reps. David Burke (R-Marysville) and Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville), who were each recently appointed to the Ohio Senate.

 

“The recommendation was difficult because we had several outstanding candidates for each vacancy,” Rep. Blessing said. “But, we are confident and unanimous in our recommendation that these people will make an excellent addition to the House Republican Caucus.”

 

Dorothy Liggett Pelanda is a private practice attorney from Marysville.  She is a 1974 graduate of Marysville High School and holds an undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio and her law degree from the Akron University School of Law.  She is also a lifelong member of the Marysville United Methodist Church, the Union County Chamber of Commerce and Union County Bar Association.  Ms. Pelanda has two sons and one daughter.

 

Brian Hill is a two-term Muskingum County Commissioner, having been first elected in 2004, and has owned and operated a family farm in Zanesville for over thirty years.  Mr. Hill is a member of the Muskingum County Farm Bureau and the Muskingum County Cattleman’s Association.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and is a lifelong resident of Muskingum County, where he resides with his wife and three children.

 

Rep. Blessing and members of the screening panel will recommend Ms. Pelanda and Mr. Hill to the full House Republican Caucus tomorrow morning.  Pending a final vote by the full caucus, each candidate will be sworn in during House Session tomorrow morning at 11:00am.

BUTLER COUNTY: Kay Rogers Sentenced

This is justice: 24 months behind bars, 5 years probation, and restitution.

I think this is a completely fair and just sentence.  She did the crime, now she's going to do the time.

And that's about all I have to say about that...  If you want more, Michael Pitman has more...

ORP: 426,998 Steps Closer to Health Care Freedom

Release:

Columbus - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine released the following statement this morning in response to Secretary of State Jon Husted's announcement that the Health Care Freedom Amendment has received the required number of signatures to make the November 2011 ballot:

"Government-mandated health care will cost Ohio jobs.  The Health Care Freedom Amendment's certification by the Secretary of State represents a stunning rebuke of President Obama's failed domestic agenda," Chairman DeWine said. 

"After boasting for months that this accomplishment was simply unattainable, Ohio Democrats and liberal special interests that walk in lockstep with the president's far left policies are now scrambling to disenfranchise millions of Ohio voters and further waste taxpayer dollars.  They were wrong when they said this day would not come and they will not be successful in denying Ohioans with a referendum on Obamacare in November," Chairman DeWine said.

FULL TEXT: Speaker Boehner's Address to the Nation on GOP Plan to Address America's Debt Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) this evening addressed the nation regarding the Republican plan for addressing America’s debt crisis and creating a better environment for private-sector job growth. Following are Speaker Boehner’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

 

Remarks by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)

United States Capitol, Washington, DC

As Prepared for Delivery

July 25, 2011

 

“Good evening. I’m John Boehner. I serve as Speaker of the whole House -- of the members of both parties that you elect. These are difficult times in the life of our nation. Millions are looking for work, have been for some time, and the spending binge going on in Washington is a big part of the reason why.

 

“Before I served in Congress, I ran a small business in Ohio. I was amazed at how different Washington DC operated than every business in America. Where most American businesses make the hard choices to pay their bills and live within their means, in Washington more spending and more debt is business as usual.

 

“I’ve got news for Washington – those days are over.

 

“President Obama came to Congress in January and requested business as usual -- yet another routine increase in the national debt limit -- we in the House said 'not so fast.’ Here was the president, asking for the largest debt increase in American history, on the heels of the largest spending binge in American history.

 

“Here's what we got for that spending binge: a massive health care bill that most Americans never asked for. A 'stimulus' bill that was more effective in producing material for late-night comedians than it was in producing jobs. And a national debt that has gotten so out of hand it has sparked a crisis without precedent in my lifetime or yours.

 

“The United States cannot default on its debt obligations. The jobs and savings of too many Americans are at stake.

 

“What we told the president in January was this: the American people will not accept an increase in the debt limit without significant spending cuts and reforms. 

 

“And over the last six months, we’ve done our best to convince the president to partner with us to do something dramatic to change the fiscal trajectory of our country. . .something that will boost confidence in our economy, renew a measure of faith in our government, and help small businesses get back on track.

 

“Last week, the House passed such a plan, and with bipartisan support. It’s called the ‘Cut, Cap, and Balance’ Act. It CUTS and CAPS government spending and paves the way for a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, which we believe is the best way to stop Washington from spending money it doesn’t have. Before we even passed the bill in the House, the President said he would veto it.

 

“I want you to know I made a sincere effort to work with the president to identify a path forward that would implement the principles of Cut, Cap, & Balance in a manner that could secure bipartisan support and be signed into law. I gave it my all.

 

“Unfortunately, the president would not take yes for an answer. Even when we thought we might be close on an agreement, the president’s demands changed.

 

“The president has often said we need a 'balanced' approach -- which in Washington means: we spend more. . .you pay more. Having run a small business, I know those tax increases will destroy jobs. 

 

“The president is adamant that we cannot make fundamental changes to our entitlement programs. As the father of two daughters, I know these programs won’t be there for them and their kids unless significant action is taken now.

 

“The sad truth is that the president wanted a blank check six months ago, and he wants a blank check today. That is just not going to happen.

 

“Because there is no stalemate in Congress. The House has passed a bill to raise the debt limit with bipartisan support. And this week, while the Senate is struggling to pass a bill filled with phony accounting and Washington gimmicks, we will pass another bill – one that was developed with the support of the bipartisan leadership of the U.S. Senate.

 

“I expect that bill can and will pass the Senate, and be sent to the President for his signature. If the President signs it, the ‘crisis’ atmosphere he has created will simply disappear. The debt limit will be raised. Spending will be cut by more than one trillion dollars, and a serious, bipartisan committee of the Congress will begin the hard but necessary work of dealing with the tough challenges our nation faces.

 

“The individuals doing this work will not be outsiders, but elected representatives of the people, doing the job they were elected to do as outlined in the Constitution. Those decisions should be made based on how they will affect people who are struggling to get a job, not how they affect some politician’s chances of getting reelected.

 

“This debate isn't about President Obama and House Republicans … it isn't about Congress and the White House … it's about what’s standing between the American people and the future we seek for ourselves and our families.

 

“You know, I’ve always believed, the bigger the government, the smaller the people. And right now, we have a government so big and so expensive it’s sapping the drive of our people and keeping our economy from running at full capacity.

 

“The solution to this crisis is not complicated: if you’re spending more money than you’re taking in, you need to spend less of it.

 

“There is no symptom of big government more menacing than our debt. Break its grip, and we begin to liberate our economy and our future.

 

“We are up to the task, and I hope President Obama will join us in this work.

 

“God bless you and your families, and God bless America.”

ORP: "Obama Address Rejecting Common-Sense Debt Limit is Irresponsible"

Release:

Columbus - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine released the following statement this evening in response to President Obama's address:

"It's irresponsible that the president who campaigned on hope and change has decided to place the importance of his reelection prospects before American prosperity," Chairman DeWine said.

"Speaker Boehner has outlined an approach which averts default and guarantees spending reforms to ensure that government is prevented from spending money it doesn't have.  Rejecting this common-sense approach simply because of political expedience once again shows that the only job our president cares about is his own," Chairman DeWine concluded. 

Background Information:

Former Congressional Budget Office director and economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin, appearing on CNBC this morning, boosted a two-step plan to prevent default and make substantive spending cuts and reforms as the "appropriate" approach.  He also panned the White House's insistence on granting President Obama a blank check that gets him past the next election.  "The president doesn't want to talk about his record of debt between now and the election and everyone knows that," Holtz-Eakin said.  Here are some excerpts from his comments on CNBC:

• A Two-Step Approach Is "Appropriate."  "Perhaps we'll get a short-term increase and we'll be back at this before the election.  I think that's appropriate.  This debate is fundamentally about the future of entitlements in America - they are the source of the rising debt - they are broken, they need to be reformed for the next generation and that's a suitable conversation for an election year."
• White House Is Making Political Argument "Wrapped In Economic Clothing."  "Look, to my eye this has all been political. The desire to get to 2013 can get wrapped in economic clothing but it's fundamentally a political argument.  The president doesn't want to talk about his record of debt between now and the election and everyone knows that. 
• Markets Looking for "Real Progress," Not a Blank Check.  "What the markets will look for ... they'll want to see the debt ceiling avoid near-term disruption and see substantive progress toward controlling spending.  That is the fundamental problem.  It's not a number, it's the quality of changes that they see."

Speaker Boehner and Congressional Republicans have been clear that to pass the House, any debt limit increase must be accompanied by spending cuts that exceed the amount of the debt limit hike. 

• The American people overwhelmingly support this principle of "cut more than you hike."  According to a recent CNN survey, 66 percent of Americans would only support an increase in the debt limit if "substantial spending cuts and caps on future spending were approved." This is in addition to a Resurgent Republic survey that found Americans only support raising the debt limit "in exchange for substantial spending cuts and a commitment to reduce the deficit."

• More than 150 economists have backed "cut more than you hike," stating on June 1 that "an increase in the national debt limit that is not accompanied by significant spending cuts and budget reforms to address our government's spending addiction will harm private-sector job creation in America.  It is critical that any debt limit legislation enacted by Congress include spending cuts and reforms that are greater than the accompanying increase in debt authority being granted to the president."

• Columnist Charles Krauthammer has called the "cut more than you hike" approach a "thing of beauty," "eminently logical and easy to understand," and "difficult for the president to refuse."

Sweet Mother of All Things Sacred and Holy!!!

&)*%#$#$%))(*(_+)(*&^%$##!#$%^&*&)_)*+(*^^$%$##@#!&^*&()()_&&^$$%@#^%&+)*+&

For the second time in a week, I will ask...  WTH is wrong with Ohio Republican office holders?

Another state representative with OVI rap to beat...  That's just what we need.  Could you guys at least try not to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? 

At least it sounds like there may be a defense in the works for Jarrod Martin; but if he was actually under the influence, I want him gone.  (SIDEBAR: At least he wasn't returning from the State Dinner, no THAT would have been embarrassing...)

And while we're on the subject, if Kris Jordan actuall laid a hand on his wife, I want him outta here too.

THIS is why a Zero Tolerance Policy should have teeth...because when it doesn't, the Children run amok.

UPDATE: Anybody STILL think having a BAR at the statehouse is a good idea??? Anyone?????

St. Rep. Combs Encourages Public Input on Redistricting Process

Release:

COLUMBUS – Every decade the state of Ohio is faced with decisions that will undoubtedly influence all citizens’ lives. That time has come once again, State Government and Elections sub-committee on Redistricting held the first of many public discussions concerning Ohio’s redistricting process. Three public hearings were held in Columbus, Zanesville, and Cleveland. The location of these discussions were decided  to allow community members to voice their specific areas of concern before a joint panel consisting of Ohio House and Senate members selected to establish the redistricting format of our state.

I am honored to serve as Vice Chairman of the House State Government and Elections Sub-Committee on Redistricting which has combined on the road with the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting. 

As the 2010 nationwide census results dictate, Ohio must eliminate two congressional seats of the 18 currently held in Congress, a result of the low rate of growth in population relative to other states. Large shifts in populations across the country means that many states must add or remove congressional districts from their state maps. Of all the states that will lose at least one congressional seat, only New York and Ohio will lose two. Consequently, Texas and Florida are the only two states whose populations grew enough in the last ten years to add two new congressional districts to their maps for the upcoming 2012 elections.

The redistricting process is crucial to our state’s future; establishing not only who you vote for but also what issues will be of most priority to those elected in the 2012 elections and beyond. The redistricting process is designed to represent the interest of all Ohioans, not the parties and groups that hold power. The members facing these decisions must base their decisions on fair, objective, and measurable criteria. By utilizing public settings when conducting these meetings citizens are more likely to use open language resulting in a transparent process. The public’s involvement during the redistricting process is crucial and absolutely encouraged.

 During the first public discussion held at the Ohio Statehouse an abundance of testimony was offered and vetted appropriately. A Professor of Elections Law at The Ohio State University, three representatives from the League of Women Voters, and a representative from Ohio’s Legislative Service Commission whom discussed the details of congressional redistricting. A professor of political science from the Ohio State University discussed the criteria needed in the process to ensure the quality of democracy. A consultant of the Ohio Legislative Black caucus discussed their priorities for minorities and a citizen from the East side of Columbus came to voice her concerns regarding appropriate minority representation around Columbus.

Traditionally, a small group of elected officials decide how they would like to ‘redistrict Ohio’ with input from the minority party and the public, however this General Assembly approached the process differently by combining House and Senate redistricting committees, in effort we believe will allow all citizens a chance to convey their viewpoints on how Ohio’s Districts should be adjusted in 2012 until the next national census. Representative Courtney Combs said, “we have gotten a lot of great input from the public in all the cities we’ve visited and look forward to more people joining us at the meetings in coming weeks.” The joint committee will hold their next two public hearings on Tuesday, August 2^nd at the following times and locations

9:00am to 12:00pm Lima,                                                                             

The Ohio State University at Lima & Rhodes State College           

Life & Physical Sciences Building                                                             

4240 Campus Drive                                                                                        

Lima, Ohio 45804                                                                                           

3:30pm to 6:00pm Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati

Main Street Cinema

Tangeman University Center, Rm 220

Cincinnati, Ohio 45221

Speaker Boehner, GOP Leaders Outline Two-Step Approach to Cut Spending, Avoid Default

Release:

WASHINGTON, DC – House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement on the two-step approach for cutting spending and preserving the full faith and credit of the United States that GOP leaders discussed with their Republican colleagues today: 


         “Republicans have put forward a responsible, common-sense proposal that meets our obligations to the American people and preserves the full faith and credit of the United States.  This plan is far from perfect, but it adheres to our principles of ensuring that spending cuts are greater than any debt hike and it includes no tax increases.  Importantly, it reflects the principles of ‘Cut, Cap, and Balance.’


         “Time is running short and it would be irresponsible for the President to veto this common-sense plan and run the risk of default. I would encourage the Senate to pass this plan and the President to sign it.”


        NOTE: This two-step approach outlined by GOP leaders today will (1) make spending cuts that are larger than any debt ceiling increase; (2) implement spending caps to restrain future spending; and (3) advance the cause of the Balanced Budget Amendment – without tax hikes on families and job creators.  Here is more information on the plan:

• Cuts That Exceed The Debt Hike.  The framework would cut and cap discretionary spending immediately, saving $1.2 trillion over 10 years (subject to CBO confirmation), and raise the debt ceiling by less – up to $1 trillion.

• Caps To Control Future Spending.  The framework imposes caps on discretionary spending that would establish clear limits on future spending and serve as a barrier against government expansion while the economy grows.  Failure to remain below these caps will trigger automatic across-the-board cuts (otherwise known as sequestration). 

• Balanced Budget Amendment.  The framework advances the cause of the Balanced Budget Amendment by requiring the House and Senate to vote on the measure after October 1, 2011 but before the end of the year, allowing the American people time to build sufficient support for this popular reform. 

• Entitlement Reforms & Savings.  The framework creates a Joint Committee of Congress that is required to report legislation that would produce a proposal to reduce the deficit by at least $1.8 trillion over 10 years. Each Chamber would consider the proposal of the Joint Committee on an up-or-down basis without any amendments.  If the proposal is enacted, then the President would be authorized to request a debt limit increase of $1.6 trillion. 

• No Tax Hikes.  The framework includes no tax hikes, a key principle that Republicans have been fighting for since day one.

Gov. Kasich Announces Apportionment Board Meeting

Release:

COLUMBUS – Gov. John R. Kasich will convene the 2011 Board of Apportioning Persons on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. in the Senate Finance Hearing Room in the Ohio Statehouse.

Kasich, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Auditor of State Dave Yost and two yet-to-be-named legislative members (one Republican and one Democrat) will comprise the board. The purpose of the meeting is to elect a chairman, vice chairman and secretary of the board. They will adopt rules and procedures for the submission and comment of apportionment plans and for the notice and format of the regional hearings that will be held throughout the state. The board must complete and publish its work by October 1, 2011.

The board meets every 10 years following the results of the federal decennial census. The five-member board is responsible for redrawing boundaries for each of the 99 Ohio House and 33 Ohio Senate districts to reflect population changes.

The Apportionment Board, established by Article 11 of the Ohio Constitution, consists of the governor, secretary of state, auditor of state and two additional members, one appointed by the majority party and one appointed by the minority party of the Ohio General Assembly.

BUTLER COUNTY: Kay Rogers to be Sentenced Tomorrow

Let justice be done.

 Disgraced former Auditor Kay Rogers is to finally be sentenced tomorrow for her role in the Dynus scandal. Some details and related thoughts from Michael Pitman here.

My thoughts? Let justice be done. It is well past time we put this behind us and move on to a brighter day, but let justice be done.

Kay Rogers, and others like her from that era of Butler County government, managed to tarnish her name, her office, her party, and government itself.  While, I expect the judge will take in to account her cooperation with authorities investigating the scandal, I also expect that Rogers ought to be made an example.

Don't want to do the time?  Don't do the crime.

Wu Wooed Underage Girl?

Let's jump in to the Wayback Machine for a minute and recall a Congressman from Oregon who was behaving so erratically during a re-election campaign that staff members quit and went home. That man was David Wu and now we may finally get some of the details of what was really going on back then...

From the Oregonian:

A distraught young woman called U.S. Rep. David Wu's Portland office this spring, accusing him of an unwanted sexual encounter, according to multiple sources.

When confronted, the Oregon Democrat acknowledged a sexual encounter to his senior aides but insisted it was consensual, the sources said.

The woman is the daughter of a longtime friend and campaign donor. She apparently did not contact police at the time.
...
Sources who talked to The Oregonian agreed to speak only on condition they not be named. They offered information about the alleged incident independently, and each said they had direct knowledge of its details.

Two people with knowledge of the recording and the later conversation with Wu said the alleged incident took place over Thanksgiving weekend. Sources said they were told that the woman went outside and Wu left after her. The sexual encounter followed, they said.

Two sources said the woman believed there was not enough evidence to press charges. There were no witnesses, and it would be her word against a seven-term member of the U.S. Congress.

The alleged incident raises new questions about Wu's behavior during the 1st District congressman's re-election campaign last year. According to staff at the time and emails from the period, he behaved so erratically that staff avoided scheduling him for public appearances and ran a campaign that relied heavily on advertising. Shortly before the Nov. 2 election, senior staff quietly shut down the campaign office and sent other campaign workers home.

How will Democratic leadership handle this? Will they man the barricades as they did for Rep. Anthony Wiener? Or will they quickly distance themselves and call for investigations and resignation? Only Nancy Pelosi and her plastic surgeon know for sure...

Of course, all accused are innocent until proven guilty; but when there is this much smoke, there has to be a fire.

Hat tip: Don Surber

Boehner Letter to Congress Re: Debt Negotiations

boehner_07-22-2011

GUEST COLUMN: "Focusing on Communities in the State Budget" by St. Rep. Adams

By Sstate Representative John Adams

When Governor Kasich signed the state operating budget into law on June 30th, hard choices were made that will affect many at the state and local level. When we began this task, Ohio was facing an $8 billion budget deficit caused by loose spending and overreliance on federal one-time stimulus funds for ongoing expenses. The final product bridges this gap through smarter allocation of resources and spending cuts. Most importantly, we still found a way to adequately fund all levels of state government, but in a more efficient and responsible manner.

As the House debated the budget, we wanted to ensure that we closely considered the needs of Ohio’s local governments. The structure of government on this level determines the quality of our communities. The reduction to local governments is 25% each of the next two years. It is important to make sure that local officials had the latitude to make choices instead of simply following mandates from the Statehouse in Columbus. This flexibility is especially crucial given the reforms included in the new budget.

For instance, the budget establishes the Local Government Innovation Fund. This will give grants and loans to schools and local governments, providing these entities with a means to distribute services at a lesser expense by creating shared service programs. In this way, communities will not only have money to pay for necessary services, but also a way to provide them more efficiently.

Specifically, local governments will receive one-time assistance of up to $100,000 each to join a project approved by the Department of Development. Each project can receive up to $500,000. Through this provision, districts will be able to combine efforts, working more economically and saving money. The end result will be more streamlined services.

The budget also secures for each county at least $750,000 or the amount allocated to them in the local government fund in FY ’11. The House accomplished this by adding $45 million to the fund in FY ’12 above the budget's executive version. We wanted to guarantee that each community had enough money to fund the programs and social services that their residents most needed.

To make a smooth adjustment, the budget also includes several other measures with the primary aim of lowering the cost of government. It develops a public notice web site for local governments, considerably cutting the prices related to local government requirements for public notice. The integrity of public notices will remain intact, but the process will be more manageable. In addition to this provision, the budget authorizes port authorities to use new construction reform methods and holds down the cost of government construction with prevailing wage adjustments.

Through this focus on local government in the new budget, our communities will be in a better position going into the next two years. On the state level, we were able to reconfigure our resource allocation so that we could best fund local governments without stepping on their toes. I want each of us to have a say in what goes on in our own neighborhoods and communities. This budget strikes a balance between financially supporting local governments and giving them space to make decisions in their respective communities.

Boehner Floor Speech on Democrats Killing Cut, Cap, and Balance

Floor Speech:

“Mr. Speaker, there is a huge gulf between Washington, DC and the American people. They are dealing with tough times.  They’re struggling to pay their bills. And they look to Washington, they see politicians who can’t stop spending money – their money.

 

“Listen, we’re broke. We need to stop the out-of-control spending spree that’s going on in Washington, DC.

 

“The House has acted.  We passed a bill that raised the debt limit, cuts spending, puts in place real reforms in place, and requires Congress send to the states a Balanced Budget Amendment.  It’s called ‘cut, cap, and balance.’

 

“We’ve done our job. The Democrats who run Washington have done nothing. They can’t stop spending the American people’s money.  They won’t and they refuse.

 

“The Senate Majority Leader says they still won’t offer a plan to cut spending.  Or a plan to raise the debt limit. Frankly, that’s irresponsible. 

 

“Mr. Speaker, where is their plan?

 

“President Obama talks about being ‘the adult in the room.’ But where is his plan to cut spending and raise the debt limit?

 

“We’re in the fourth quarter – and we’re fighting for jobs, we’re fighting for the future, we’re fighting for the American people.”

UPDATE: Video now available...

Boehner on Senate Killing the House Debt Plan

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) released the following statement today responding to Senate Democrats’ rejection of House-passed “Cut, Cap, and Balance” legislation:

 

          “Senate Democrats have defied the will of the American people who overwhelmingly support real spending cuts, caps on future spending, and a balanced budget to create a better environment for private-sector job growth. Republicans are standing with the American people and, as I’ve said before, will not pass a bill that fails to cut spending by more than it increases the debt limit, restrain future spending, or that raises taxes on families and job creators. To help avoid a default, I urge the Senate to rethink their decision and immediately approve the responsible, balanced, House-passed ‘Cut, Cap, & Balance’ proposal.”

 

          NOTE: A recent CNN survey showed that two-thirds of the American people support a plan that “would raise the debt ceiling only if a balanced budget amendment were passed by both houses of Congress and substantial spending cuts and caps on future spending were approved.”

With Friends Like These, ORP Needs No (More?) Democrats

A reader brought this Joe Hallett column to my attention with the warning that it would get my blood boiling and it sure did...

It is hard enough to get Republicans to care about judicial races to begin with since they are "non-partisan" and all, but when I see the Chief Justice who just went around claiming to be the female Ronald Reagan in a black robe in order to get elected now claim to be a "moderate" I just want to break things.

And then there is former ORP Chairman Bob "The Tool" Bennett with this bit:

"Yvette has an understanding of business," said former Ohio GOP Chairman Robert T. Bennett. "It makes her a very difficult opponent for Republicans in 2012."

Sweet Jeebus, Bob, why don't you appear in an ad for the Democrat why don't ya? 
"Republican" Paul Pfieffer (State Central Committee endorsed):

"Everyone on the court genuinely likes her," said Paul E. Pfeifer, the senior justice. "She's done a great job as far as I'm concerned."

Get. Out. Of. My. Party. And. Don't. Let. The. Door. Hit. Your. @$$. On. The. Way. Out.
More O'Connor:

"I don't think that she will receive anything but good wishes from everybody in this building when it comes to her efforts," O'Connor said.

"I will be very honest with people when they ask me my opinion of Yvette and her place on this court as an associate justice. I think she's just a wonderful addition."

Velvet Hammer my @$$...  I'm tired of having to support these clowns...

Tonight on the TIB All-Stars Show

Tonight, the All-Stars welcome back our favorite guest host, John Becker.  We'll be talking about the developments in Columbus and Washington, plus whatever else comes up.  Be sure to tune in for the show, live and direct, starting at 6PM Eastern TONIGHT only on TIB Radio.

Gov. Kasich Temporarily Postpones Execution Date for Brett Xavier Hartman

Release:

COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich announced that he has temporarily postponed the execution of death row inmate Brett Hartman from Aug. 16 to Nov. 13, 2012.  

 

The postponement is in response to the July 8, 2011 ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory L. Frost in the case of death row inmate Kenneth Wayne Smith in which the judge issued an injunction halting Smith’s scheduled execution on July 19^th. The postponement will give the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction the needed time to implement changes to the execution protocol that were mandated by the judge’s ruling.  At present, the next scheduled execution is that of inmate Billy Slagle on September 20, 2011.

 

Hartman was sentenced to death in 1998 for the 1997 killing of Winda Snipes in Akron.

BUTLER COUNTY: Sheriff Jones Questioned on SB5 at West Chester Tea Party

I've been told that Sheriff "Spotlight" Jones was questioned regarding his position on SB5.  I sure bet that was entertaining...  If I understand correctly, Spotlight says he doesn't need SB5 because he gets to make up his own budget.  That idea right there is why I oppose him.  No office holder should be allowed to create his own budget.  Now, he's going to say that he doesn't actually create his own budget, but he does through intimidation and bullying.  What's worse is that he has a compliant press that goes along with the shenanigans.

Somebody should get around to asking Spotlight why he was in favor of increasing the sales tax so he wouldn't have to cut his budget or why he only cuts deputies instead of "senior leadership"...

I contend that this man is still a Tea Party charlatan and the more Patriots question him, the more he will reveal himself as such.  Keep asking the questions, my friends...

WTH is Wrong with Ohio's Law Enforcement Community?

This is an outrage.  And if law enforcement officers would condemn @$$holes like this, I'd feel a whole lot better about a whole lot of things that deal with law enforcement issues.  As per usual though, nobody in the law enforcement community can be found with a search warrant.....

BUTLER COUNTY GOP: Fundraiser for St. Rep. Conditt

Email:

Please Join The

 

Ohio Speaker of the House

William G. Batchelder

   

 at a fundraising event for

 

Margaret K. Conditt

State Representative, 55^th District

 

 

Four Bridges Country Club

300 Four Bridges Drive

Liberty Twp, Ohio, 45044

 

Thursday, August 11, 2011

 

5:00pm - 5:30pm – VIP reception

5:30pm -7:30pm – Guest Reception

To learn more, call 513-476-8934.

Cincinnati Union Head Under Indictment

What? A dirty Union chief? Surely you jest? Evidently not:

A former Cincinnati employee union leader has been indicted for allegedly embezzling more than three quarters of a million dollars in union funds.
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A federal grand jury indicted Diana Frey, president of the Cincinnati Organized and Dedicated Employees union ( CODE ), on one count of wire fraud on Tuesday.

Frey, 51, is accused of embezzling more than $750,000 between 2005 and June of this year.

The indictment alleges that Frey fraudulently and without authority caused CODE to pay funds by checks, direct wire transfers, ATM withdrawals, and credit card purchases to her various bank accounts or for her personal benefit. Frey allegedly misrepresented the union’s finances to other CODE officers and members.he Board of Directors for CODE released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

The Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Organized and Dedicated Employees (CODE) Bargaining Unit has received word that the U. S. Department of Labor investigation of the financial records of the organization and its’ former President, Diana Frey, has produced an indictment of the former President.

The Board requested this investigation several months ago. We regret to announce to our members that the investigation into our operations, specifically the actions of our former president, Diana Frey, has revealed that a large sum of our treasury is missing. The Board has been working very hard over the last month to ensure that CODE and its membership are protected and steps were immediately taken to protect the assets of CODE and its members. CODE board members are not at liberty to speak about the case until the criminal process is completed. Members can be assured that the daily operation of CODE continues and remains a strong force for its members.

A person answering the phones at the CODE offices in Queensgate said they are talking with their attorney and do not have anything to say at this time.The union Board on Tuesday released a statement that Frey had not been available to members of the board for "some time" and that an investigation was under way.

CODE represents middle managers, professionals, technical employees and nurses.

Frey had been its only president since its inception in 2003. She previously worked as a public information officer for the public works department.

CODE is emphasizing that she is the former Head. However, she was the head of the organization from its inception til at least June of this year. Wow, so much for the protection of the workers from the bosses. In this case, the workers needed protection from the Union.

More of the change you can believe in types......Disgusting!

WTH is Wrong With Ohio Republican Office Holders???

Seriously, after the Mecklenborg fiasco, we really didn't need a scandal over in the Ohio Senate.

I haven't seen very much detail on this situation, but things don't look good for Kris Jordan after his wife called 911 for a domestic violence situation developed between the couple.

I gotta say, I'm kind of shocked that this Zero Tolerance Policy is getting so much usage.....

Come on, guys, stop making it easy for the liberals...

Jean Schmidt Earns Spirit of Enterprise Award

Don't know why we didn't hear about this til now, but here goes. Jean Schmidt was among those honored by the US Chamber of Commerce, earning their Spirit of Enterprise Award. From the article here:

This annual award goes to lawmakers who support pro-business policies at least 70% of the time during most recent congressional session. The Chamber's prestigious "Spirit of Enterprise" award is given annually to members of Congress based on rankings it gives for key business votes outlined in its yearly publication, How They Voted. This is the twenty-second year that the U.S. Chamber has formally honored the accomplishments of this select group of members of Congress.

The Chamber's designated "key votes" are recorded floor votes on issues established as priorities by the Chamber, on which the Chamber informs Congress of its position on prior to the vote. Senators and House members who support the Chamber's position on at least 70% of these key votes receive the "Spirit of Enterprise" award.

During the second session of the 111th Congress, the Chamber key-voted 11 Senate and 9 House votes, including passage of an a tax cut extension, health care reform, financial services legislation, campaign finance reform, and legislation to improve science and math. This is the 23rd year of the Chamber giving the award.

Congratulations to my Congresswoman, Jean Schmidt of the 2nd Congressional District!

Others from Ohio honored of note include: Rep. Michael R. Turner (OH-3)
Rep. James D. Jordan (OH-4)
Rep. Robert E. Latta (OH-5)
Rep. Steve Austria (OH-7)
Rep. John A. Boehner (OH-8)
Rep. Patrick J. Tiberi (OH-12)