A Message From Kevin Coughlin About US Senate

Email:

For the last few weeks, I have been going through a process to determine whether to enter the race for United States Senate.  

I've had a few conservative organizations approach me about making a run against Sherrod Brown.  Though I'm not leaning toward or against it, I owe it to myself and my supporters to give it careful consideration. I have been meeting with party and opinion leaders around the state and in Washington, racking up mileage and securing commitments from contributors.

Having won in and represented a Northeast Ohio district were Democrats outnumbered Republicans 3:1,  I am a tested campaigner.  I would bring a depth of experience and knowledge on keys issues like health care reform and fiscal responsibility to the Senate.  And my long-established record of sticking to conservative principles even under pressure is what we need more of in Washington.

That said, I have some exploring to do on the feasibility of a campaign and the vulnerability of Sherrod Brown.  As I move toward a final decision I hope to get your thoughts and hear what's important to you.

If you'd like to speak to me or ask any questions please feel free to email me here or let me know a good time and a number where I can reach you.

Thanks and hope to see you soon,

Rep. Michele Bachmann to Headline 5th Congressional District Lincoln Day Dinner

Release:

BOWLING GREEN - Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) welcomes potential presidential contender Congresswoman Michele Bachmann as the featured speaker at his 2011 Lincoln Day Dinner scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Sauder Village, Founder's Hall located at 22611 State Route 2 Archbold, Ohio 43502.

Congresswoman Bachmann is a 3^rd term Republican from Minnesota's 6th District. She is the first Republican woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota.  She currently sits on the House Financial Services Committee and chairs the Tea Party Caucus. 

Tickets are $25 per person and are now available on a first-come, first-served basis.  To purchase tickets, contact a county Republican Party chairperson. 

County		Chairperson
Ashland		Bill Harris
Crawford		Matt Crall
Defiance		Ted Penner
Fulton		Sandy Barber
Henry		Ron Behm
Huron		Rob Duncan
Lucas		Jon Stainbrook
Mercer		Matt Gilmore
Paulding		Fred Pieper
Putnam		Lyle McKanna
Sandusky		Justin Smith
Seneca		David Koehl
Van Wert		Martin Burchfield
Williams		Brian Davis
Wood		John Miller
Wyandot		Sherman Stansbery

For more information, please visit www.lattaforcongress.com. To view a welcome message from Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Latta, please watch this video.

St. Rep. Adams Announces Passage of Senate Bill 5

St. Rep. John Adams

Release:

COLUMBUS—State Representative John Adams (R-Sidney) has announced that after 13 hearings, more than 60 hours of testimony and more than 200 witnesses over a period of nearly two months, Senate Bill 5 today passed from the Ohio House of Representatives. This legislation restores fairness for Ohio’s taxpayers and helps prevent mass layoffs of dedicated public employees by giving local governments the flexibility to manage their own finances.

 

Senate Bill 5 wholly reinvents the relationship between public-sector unions, local governments and the taxpayers. With many local governments threatened by bankruptcy and unable to control their costs, many communities may suffer massive tax increases or widespread layoffs just to keep public services solvent. This legislation—which restores Ohioans’ influence over the government and its employees that they pay for—aims to save these vital jobs while also lowering the tax burden on the middle class.

 

“S.B. 5 as passed by the Senate was a good bill.  The House made it better,” Adams said.  “Under current state law, public employees can be forced to join or pay dues to a labor union, against their will, as a condition of employment.  The House version of S.B. 5 says public employees can choose for themselves whether or not to support labor unions.”

 

Among House modifications to S.B. 5 are provisions that allow collective bargaining for safety equipment, permit communications between bargaining parties, clarify that death benefit amounts for spouses are not affected by changes in the bill, and eliminate jail time as a possible penalty for striking.

 

The House version also removes the use of ticket quotas to determine performance-based pay for law enforcement officials, eliminates automatic union deductions without written consent, and prohibits “fair share” fee penalties as a requirement to be a non-union member within an organization. Additionally, under certain conditions, labor disputes may be settled by voters at the ballot, with last best offers of each bargaining party considered and resolved by Ohio’s taxpayers.

 

To specifically advance the quality of education in Ohio’s classrooms and reward teachers, S.B. 5 establishes standard state guidelines to determine educators’ compensation and other terms of employment. While 50 percent of educator evaluations must be based on student performance as developed by the Ohio Department of Education, local school boards have the authority to establish objective measures related to quality of instructional practice, communication and professionalism, parent/student satisfaction, and other relevant factors.

 

“For years, politicians have kicked the can down the road and refused to deal with the mounting problem of government spending.  I am glad we have leaders like Gov. Kasich, House Speaker Batchelder and Senate President Niehaus who have chosen to do what is necessary to save Ohio from a rising tide of red ink.  S.B. 5 is part of that solution,” Adams said.

 

As passed, S.B. 5 is expected to save local governments more than $1 billion while ensuring that public employees can still collectively bargain under a better system with negotiations, mediation and fairness.

 

S.B. 5 will now return to the Ohio Senate for a concurrence vote.

St. Rep. Dovilla on Senate Bill 5 Passage

Release:

COLUMBUS—State Representative Dovilla (R-Berea) today issued the following statement regarding the passage of Senate Bill 5:

 

“Since January, I have met with hundreds of teachers, fire fighters, and police officers at town hall forums I have hosted, small group meetings I have organized, and individual meetings I have initiated regarding Senate Bill 5.  During the course of these discussions, I have responded to over 1,200 individual e-mails and letters and have spent untold hours on the phone having one-on-one conversations with my constituents – many of whom I have had the privilege of knowing since elementary school.

One of the key lessons that I have learned during this period is the potential impacts that the Senate-passed version of this bill would have on the public safety forces who place their lives on the line every day.  I met numerous times with members of the Protect Ohio’s Protectors Coalition to see what changes to the Senate version of the bill are needed to protect those who protect the public and am gratified that the House leadership has incorporated a number of my suggestions in the version of the bill that we are voting on today – such as restoring a binding arbitration process, allowing for wage negotiation within the new framework, and allowing collective bargaining for safety equipment.

My decision today to support this legislation is a culmination of seven weeks of thoughtful deliberation, public input and negotiations with the House leadership.  As always, when looking at difficult issues, I believe it is important to stand on one’s convictions and for the principles upon which this state was founded – which is how I have arrived at my decision to support this bill.  The structural imbalance our state, our communities, and our taxpayers face is unsustainable.  Senate Bill 5 as amended by this House restores some of the needed protections for our public service employees while rebuilding our fiscal house.”

Ohio House Passes Senate Bill 5 to Benefit the Middle Class, Save Jobs

Members of Ohio House of Representatives Passing SB 5

Release:

COLUMBUS—After more than 60 hours of testimony and more than 200 witnesses over a period of nearly two months, Senate Bill 5 today passed from the Ohio House of Representatives. This legislation restores fairness for Ohio’s taxpayers and helps prevent mass layoffs of dedicated public employees by giving local governments the flexibility to manage their own finances.

 

Senate Bill 5 wholly reinvents the relationship between public-sector unions, local governments and the taxpayers. With many local governments threatened by bankruptcy and unable to control their costs, many communities may suffer massive tax increases or widespread layoffs just to keep public services solvent. This legislation—which restores Ohioans’ influence over the government and its employees that they pay for—aims to save these vital jobs while also lowering the tax burden on the middle class.

 

“Today, this House has taken an unprecedented step toward public policy that respects all Ohioans, especially our taxpayers and our hardworking middle class,” said Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “Senate Bill 5 protects the collective bargaining rights of Ohioans while also giving local governments an additional tool in the toolbox as they balance their budgets. Truly the most important thing we can do is ensure that our public services remain of the highest quality and that we give employers the ability to maintain and reward their employees—rather than resorting to mass layoffs due to ironclad contracts.”

 

Despite 13 committee hearings on the legislation, the House Democrats offered no amendments to the bill. Furthermore, in Tuesday’s Commerce and Labor Committee, the minority caucus voted unanimously against an amendment that would allow public safety personnel to bargain for safety equipment.

 

In addition to the Republican amendment to permit bargaining for safety equipment, House modifications to Senate Bill 5 include provisions that permit communications between bargaining parties, clarify that death benefit amounts for spouses are not affected by changes in the bill, and eliminate jail time as a possible penalty for striking.

 

The House version also removes the use of ticket quotas to determine performance-based pay for law enforcement officials, eliminates automatic union deductions without written consent, and prohibits “fair share” fee penalties as a requirement to be a non-union member within an organization. Additionally, under certain conditions, labor disputes may be settled by voters at the ballot, with last best offers of each bargaining party considered and resolved by Ohio’s taxpayers.

 

“In this bill, we have successfully maintained the bargaining rights of our communities’ most important public workers—those who educate our children, protect our families and homes, and keep our neighborhoods clean and thriving,” said State Representative Joe Uecker (R-Loveland), who serves as chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. “At the same time, we’ve updated Ohio’s collective bargaining law, which for nearly three decades has rampantly expanded and put an undue strain on our local governments. We have found a delicate balance that will respect the taxpayers, save state and local jobs, and improve the public services we rely on each day.”

 

To specifically advance the quality of education in Ohio’s classrooms and reward teachers, S.B. 5 establishes standard state guidelines to determine educators’ compensation and other terms of employment. While 50 percent of educator evaluations must be based on student performance as developed by the Ohio Department of Education, local school boards have the authority to establish objective measures related to quality of instructional practice, communication and professionalism, parent/student satisfaction, and other relevant factors.

 

As passed, S.B. 5 is expected to save local governments more than $1 billion while ensuring that public employees can still collectively bargain under a better system with negotiations, mediation and fairness.

 

“The economic reality is that here in Ohio, we are looking down the barrel of an $8 billion budget hole that—without prudent reforms and a commitment to reshaping the way Ohio does business—would simply not have disappeared on its own,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati). “It requires difficult decisions, and we’ve taken a step toward sustainable changes that will benefit us today and our children tomorrow. As local governments fight to stay afloat amid this financial storm, we have protected our communities and the indispensible services that our public employees give us.”

 

S.B. 5 will now return to the Ohio Senate for a concurrence vote.

DOC: SB 5 Comparative Synopsis

SubSB5_Comparative_Synopsis

Backroom Deal Exposed: AARP Could Make $1 BILLION Off of Obamacare

This just in...

Several Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee this afternoon issued a report regarding AARP and its business activities.  Among other topics, the report attempted to quantify the benefits AARP will receive as a result of the health care law.  Specifically, the report found that while AARP’s Medicare Advantage and Part D plans receive a flat licensing fee from UnitedHealth Group regardless of the enrollment in their plans, AARP receives 4.95% of each Medigap premium dollar paid by senior citizens (this percentage used to be 4% of Medigap revenues, but AARP negotiated an increase in its last contract, in 2007).  Because of these unique contractual arrangements, AARP has NO financial incentive to expand Medicare Advantage enrollment, but DOES have a financial incentive to expand Medigap enrollment – and Medigap enrollment will expand thanks to the Medicare Advantage cuts in the law.

 

Based on this information, and estimates of declines in Medicare Advantage enrollment thanks to the cuts in the health care law, the report estimates that AARP will receive between $55 million and $166 million in new revenue in 2014 alone – meaning the ten-year financial windfall received by AARP due to Obamacare could total over $1 billion.

 

The report also contains other information about the interlocking financial relationships between various AARP-related entities, as well as other practices – including spending on things like NASCAR sponsorship and meetings hosted at the Hotel del Coronado – that raise potential questions about the organizations’ non-profit tax status.

 

Last March, Speaker Pelosi famously said we had to pass the bill to find out what’s in it.  Today’s report reveals “what’s in it” for AARP, which might explain why the organization endorsed a piece of legislation that reduces choice and access for seniors.

Portman: We Need To Pursue Our Energy Sources At Home

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, responded to President Obama’s energy security plan:
“The President again delivered a speech that sounded and looked great, but to date, the actions of his administration have not matched his rhetoric.  We have been told before that this administration supports lifting oil production, but instead it has focused on canceling oil and gas leases all across the country, raising permit fees and stifling deep-water drilling the Gulf of Mexico.

“With gasoline rapidly headed towards $4.00 a gallon and uncertainty growing in the Middle East, Americans want to know that this administration has all hands on deck when it comes to finding solutions that will truly reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.  I fully support ideas like converting more heavy vehicles to run on natural gas because this will capitalize on Ohio’s vast reserves of shale gas and reduce oil imports.  But it won’t work if the President continues to turn a blind eye to the efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency to create red tape and impose new regulations that will raise energy costs on American businesses across the board,” said Portman, who has pressed the Obama Administration to reverse course on its efforts to regulate greenhouse gasses under the Clean Air Act.

“As summer and the higher gas prices that come with it fast approach, the President must understand that we need to pursue our energy sources at home, support the advancement of alternative energy technologies, and promote energy efficiency and conservation.  Doing so will increase our energy security, strengthen our national security, and spur much needed job creation in Ohio,” added Portman, who visited V&M star last month to talk about their $650 million expansion project, which underscores the importance of Ohio’s natural resources and how they can help us meet the nation’s rising demand for domestic energy production.

Old Whine in New Bottles

Release:

WASHINGTON- Today, President Obama unveiled his new energy plan to decrease America’s imports of oil by one third over the next ten years.  In response, Thomas Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research, issued the following statement:

“This is starting to get embarrassing for the President.  After his gaffe a few weeks ago where he celebrated an oil find in Brazil, the exact type of discovery that his policies are preventing in America, President Obama is trying to put on a new face.  He wants us to believe that his policies are pro-energy and pro-growth.  But his rhetoric stands in direct contradiction to his policies.”

“The Obama anti-energy agenda has decreased expected production in the Gulf of Mexico by 360,000 barrels of oil per day.  By withholding the necessary permits to produce energy in Alaska, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System is only filled at one third of its capacity.  The Outer Continental Shelf holds at least 80 billion barrels of oil— four times as much as the ‘two percent’ the President says we have – but the Obama Administration either refuses to offer those resources for lease or refuses to grant permits to explore for and produce these resources.”

“History shows that President Obama’s destructive policies, which are reducing potential domestic energy production, will necessarily lead to higher imports.”

“President Obama wants us to believe that oil companies are hoarding resources and sitting on leases for profit.  But we’ve shown numerous times that not every lease holds oil or gas.  On top of that, the Obama Administration is preventing eager companies from developing these resources by withholding permits.  Not letting the facts get in his way, the President wants to force American companies to pay higher prices for leases, which will undoubtedly be passed on to the consumer and will result in American jobs going overseas.”

“Today, President Obama did not lay out a new energy plan.  He compiled the same failed, anti-energy proposals of the past and repackaged them in new clothes.  If the President is really interested in a secure American energy future, he should stop proposing policies that directly hurt American producers and consumers.”

Martin and Bubp Offer Resolution Urging Congress to Support Continuation of F-35 Production

Release:

COLUMBUS—State Representatives Jarrod B. Martin (R-Beavercreek) and Danny Bubp (R-West Union), along with 10 co-sponsors, have offered a resolution urging Congress to support the full funding and production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. 

 

“As the state representative of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, I feel it is necessary to ensure that our Congressional delegation understands how important the F-35 is to the safety of our troops, as well as to the economy of our state,” said Representative Martin.  

 

The United States has been investing in the production of the F-35 for more than a decade.  This fifth-generation multi-task stealth aircraft is needed to replace our current air fleet, which has been flying for nearly 30 years and cannot be retrofitted with the technology of the F-35.  The capabilities of newer generation aircraft will provide military men and women with the unmatched situational awareness and integrated weapons systems, air-to-air combat superiority, and ground-to-air superiority. 

 

The full funding and production of the F-35 not only provides our military with the best equipment and technology to ensure successful missions, but it also plays a key role in Ohio’s economy.  Currently, 46 Ohio manufacturers contribute to the production of parts for the Joint Strike Fighter, and nearly 4,400 skilled Ohioans are employed producing this technology. The Joint Strike Fighter program has nearly a $400 million economic impact on this state.

 

“In this unpredictable world, we need to ensure that we do everything we can to equip our troops and stabilize our economy. The full funding and production of the F-35 plays a vital role in this mission.  I hope Congress will hear our message,” said Representative Martin.

GUEST COLUMN: "Eliminating Onerous Regulatory Burdens a Top Priority" by Rep. Jean Schmidt

Rep. Jean Schmidt

By: Rep Jean Schmidt

Farming can be a tough business.  Seed is expensive, equipment is difficult to maintain, fuel costs continue to soar, and the weather is unpredictable.  Farmers do not need to add more unreasonable government regulations to their list of potential problems.  Unfortunately, that’s exactly what will happen if Congress does not act before April 9^th.

Pesticides play an important role in our lives.  As the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lisa Jackson, has said, “When used properly, pesticides provide significant benefits to society, such as controlling disease-causing organisms, protecting the environment from invasive species, and fostering a safe and abundant food supply.”  But, using pesticides also poses risks and we need to make sure those risks are taken into account.

For more than 30 years, the EPA tightly controlled the registration and use of pesticides through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  Under this law, a pesticide’s sale and distribution is prohibited in the United States unless the EPA has vigorously examined its toxicity and risks against scientific and safety standards and has approved its sale.  EPA also determines how it can be used and requires that approved uses and restrictions be placed on its label.  It is a violation of federal law for someone to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its label.

Some thought that compliance with FIFRA just wasn’t enough, so they sued.  And, after many years, the courts decided that compliance with FIFRA is not enough.  Under this ruling, farmers – and anyone else who uses pesticides – would need to get yet another permit from the EPA.

If this ruling takes effect – which is scheduled to happen April 9^th – pesticide users will be required get this extra permit, subject to thousands of dollars in fines for non-compliance, and threatened by the increased risk of lawsuits.  Requiring duplicative permits to use an approved product simply makes no sense.

I, along with a number of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle, have introduced legislation – H.R. 872, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 – to right this court ruling.  This bill would protect the health and safety of our families and communities while ensuring that FIFRA is the federal law controlling the registration and use of pesticides.

Recently, two House committees, Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure, approved my bill in bipartisan votes.  But, there is little time left to act.  Getting this bill to the President’s desk will ensure that our farmers have one less problem to worry about.

Energy Update: Backdoor Cap and Tax is Bad for Ohio and the Nation

As we all know, Cap-and-Trade (AKA "Crap and Tax") was blocked in Congress, but now the Obama Administration is hoping to implement its goals through the regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency, which would be a sucker punch to the economy.  

The EPA is currently trying to set more stringent National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. These standards are typically reviewed on a five-year cycle, but the EPA is pushing forward with new proposals two years early.

 

These national standards will have a real impact on Ohio. In fact, a Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI study found that Ohio businesses and residents could be responsible for up to $42.2 billion new costs per year, the negative effects of which would reverberate across many sectors. Additionally, gross state product could decline by $26.8 billion and Ohio could lose 296,952 jobs by 2020.

 

There is growing bipartisan support in Congress to stop the EPA from killing jobs and stifling our country’s economic recovery. We can only hope that even more policymakers will soon realize that EPA overreach has negative economic consequences, as evidenced by the NAAQS standards.

 

Here are some fresh stats on just how bad the damage would be nationally:

• cost up to 1.4 million jobs by 2014 (just what we need!) and 2.5 million by 2030

• decrease capital investment by as much as 15% by 2014

• reduce GDP by $500 billion by 2030

• increase the cost of gasoline and electricity by 50%, and natural gas by 75% over the next 20 years (because these things aren't expensive enough already)

• reduce worker compensation by $700 per year

... all of which should change what people think of when they hear the word "green."  

 

Fortunately, our side has a response: Senator McConnell (S. 482, the Energy Tax Hike Prevention Act) is offering amendment to restrict the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. That would demonstrate to Americans that jobs and economic security are a priority – not more bureaucratic, administrative red-tape.

Alternatives to Senator McConnell’s amendment – such as the two-year delay proposed by Senator Rockefeller or the “tailoring” amendment proposed by Senator Baucus – simply fail to provide the regulatory certainty that the American economy needs. McConnell’s amendment does provide that certainty by stopping the EPA from issuing greenhouse gas rules until a future Congress changes the law. It assures that we don’t simply “kick the can” down the road in dealing with EPA overreach.

It is no secret that Demcorats in Washington are doing everything they possibly can to prevent the energy sector from recovering from the recession.  While President Obama encourages drilling for oil in Brazil, he and his willing accomplices in Congress, continue to push for an energy policy that costs American jobs.

We can do better.

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Union Idiot on SB5

This quote from the Plain Dealer piece on SB5 is just rich...

Darold Johnson, director of legislation and political action for the Ohio Federal of Teachers, said some rumors surrounding the bill stem from the sweeping power the bill would give to management.

One rumor floating in teachers' circles is that SB 5 would force them to pay out of pocket for substitute teachers, although the bill contains no such requirement.

"Anything's possible," Johnson said. "You hear so many different rumors on so many different days."

Emphasis added.
If the fool would just read the bill, he'd know what was in it so he would stop the fearmongering.  He won't do that because he wants union members to be afraid.

Ohio Fair and Secure Elections Act Passes from Ohio House

Release:

COLUMBUS—At a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse, Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina), Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), State Representative Bob Mecklenborg (R-Cincinnati) and members of House majority leadership commended the passage of the “Ohio Fair and Secure Elections Act” from the Ohio House, as well as resolved misconceptions that were circulated by the minority caucus. House Bill 159 will require voters to confirm their identities by presenting photo identification when voting on Election Day or by absentee in person at the Board of Elections.

 

“The passage of House Bill 159 is a victory for the people of Ohio and for a fair democratic elections process,” said Batchelder. “At a time when voter fraud has corrupted the voice of the people, we took a significant step today in rectifying this important issue.”

 

Currently, when voting on Election Day, a voter may submit as proof of identification valid photo identification, a military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter’s name and current address.  The proposed legislation would require that all voters voting on Election Day or in person absentee to present photo identification in the form of an Ohio driver’s license, Ohio state ID card, a military identification, or a U.S. passport.  Acceptable forms of identification remain unchanged for persons voting absentee by mail.

 

“Ensuring that our elections process is fair, honorable and lawful is a hallmark of the democratic process,” said Blessing, who jointly sponsored House Bill 159 with Rep. Mecklenborg. “I’m pleased that this measure is one step closer toward improving elections in Ohio.”

 

The bill also directs the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to pass rules giving IDs to persons who cannot afford them at no charge, and allows a person with religious objection to being photographed to vote provisionally and sign an affidavit of religious objection.

 

“It is important that as lawmakers, we work to maintain integrity at the polls and address the issue of voter fraud, which has become a significant problem in Ohio,” said Mecklenborg.

 

The House State Government and Elections Committee heard testimony from a variety of proponents, including secretaries of state from states that have already implemented similar legislation, and top officials from the Cuyahoga and Hamilton County Boards of Election. Currently, nine states require voter photo identification, while legislation is currently pending or being considered in 20 other states.  The “Ohio Fair and Secure Elections Act” borrows from Indiana and Georgia laws addressing voter identification, which have withstood constitutional scrutiny.

 

An August 2010 Rasmussen Reports survey found that 82 percent of voters approve of voter photo identification requirements.  In Ohio, former Democrat Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner ordered an investigation into possible voter fraud when 92 Lawrence County absentee ballots were sent to one of two post box numbers.

 

House Bill 159 now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

Elections Integrity Bill Passes House Committee, Awaits Floor Vote

Release:

COLUMBUS—Following testimony from local elected officials and leaders of other states, the House State Government and Elections Committee passed the “Ohio Fair and Secure Elections Act,” which will require voters to confirm their identities by presenting photo identification when voting on Election Day or by absentee in-person at the Board of Elections.

 

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Indiana Deputy Secretary of State & Chief Legal Counsel Jerry Bonnet discussed with the committee members the successful implementation of similar measures that passed in their respective states. The committee also heard testimony from Rob Frost, who is a member of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, and Amy Searcy, deputy director of the Hamilton County Board of Elections who was appointed to the Ohio Board of Voting Machine Examiners by Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

 

State Representative Bob Mecklenborg (R-Cincinnati)—who jointly sponsored House Bill 159 with State Representative Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati)—expressed his appreciation for the insights that the witnesses provided to the committee regarding the bill. “As chairman of the State Government and Elections Committee, it was very helpful to hear from members of local boards of elections, as well as other secretaries of states who have found great success in passing similar legislation,” he said. “The goal here is to safeguard the integrity of our elections process and take steps to prevent voter fraud in Ohio.  This bill will help restore confidence in our electoral process.  No one wants their vote diluted by improper voting.”

 

Under current law, when voting on Election Day, a voter may submit as proof of identification valid photo identification, a military identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, paycheck or other government document that shows the voter’s name and current address.  The proposed legislation would require that all voters voting on Election Day or in-person absentee to present photo identification in the form of an Ohio driver’s license, Ohio state ID card, a military identification, or a U.S. passport.  Acceptable forms of identification remain unchanged for persons voting absentee by mail.

 

The bill directs the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to pass rules providing IDs to persons who cannot afford them at no charge, and allows a person with religious objection to being photographed to vote provisionally and sign an affidavit of religious objection.

 

“House Bill 159 is a vital effort to encourage Ohioans’ trust and participation in the democratic process,” Blessing said. “Evidence has shown that requiring photo identification on Election Day has little to no impact on an individual’s likelihood of voting, which gives me confidence that we can safely and effectively improve Ohio’s voting laws without hindering the process itself.”

 

House Bill 159 passed from committee by a vote of 13-8. It now awaits a vote by the full House.

BUTLER COUNTY: Sheriff Retiring

For a minute there, I thought Sheriff Spotlight was finally packing it in...but the story is about the Butler County Sheriff in Kansas, not Ohio.  I mean, what do you do after commanding the Butler County Air Force, Navy, and Horse Cavalry...???

St. Sen. LaRose Applauds PUCO Decision on Rules Regarding Private Commercial Motor Vehicles

St. Sen. Frank LaRose

Release:

COLUMBUS— State Senator Frank LaRose (R- Akron) applauds the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s (PUCO) decision to rescind unnecessarily stringent rules that would have applied to some motor vehicles weighing between 10,001 and 26,000 pounds. The PUCO had twice delayed active enforcement of the rules after concerns were raised by legislators and citizens. This issue was brought to Sen. LaRose’s attention by a constituent who wrote him a letter detailing the harmful impact the regulations would have on his small business.

 

“These rules would have placed an undue burden on hard-working Ohio businesses and increased their operating costs making them less competitive. I am pleased we have been able to get the rules rescinded,” said LaRose, who serves as vice-chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee. “I commend the PUCO for taking this action, and look forward to continuing to work with them and affected small businesses to come up with a set of regulations that keep our roads safe while ensuring our businesses and our families can prosper.”

 

Besides rescinding the rules, the PUCO will be compiling a report containing an analysis and recommendations for future rule amendments. Additional information can be found on their website, www.puco.ohio.gov. The agency will also include the Common Sense Initiative Office (CSIO) in the rule review process. CSIO was authorized by the General Assembly through Senate Bill 2 and established by Governor Kasich via executive order. It will help state agencies to determine any adverse impact a new rule or regulation could have on small businesses.

Speaker Batchelder Wishes Damschroder a Swift Recovery

Release:

COLUMBUS—Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today informed members of the Ohio House of Representatives that State Representative Rex Damschroder (R-Fremont) suffered a heart attack yesterday while working in his district. He is currently in stable condition and will be undergoing triple bypass heart surgery Wednesday morning.

 

“I have been in touch with Rep. Damschroder personally and am pleased that he expects a full recovery,” Batchelder said. “Rex is an astoundingly dedicated public servant to the people of northwest Ohio, and our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his wife.”

 

Rep. Damschroder has been in touch with Speaker Batchelder and the 81^st House District office in Columbus.

 

“Representative Damschroder is in good spirits and resting comfortably with family and friends at the Toledo Hospital,” said Todd Thatcher, legislative aide to Rep. Damschroder.  “He greatly appreciates the well-wishes of the people of the 81^st House District and looks forward to getting back to work after his recovery period.”

 

Speaker Batchelder indicated that the work of the 81^st District will continue as normal during Rep. Damschroder’s absence.  If constituents are in need of assistance, they are encouraged to call his office at (614) 466-1374 or email the office at District81@ohr.state.oh.us.

St. Rep. McGregor’s Legislation to Enact Whistleblower Protections Passes Ohio House

Release:

COLUMBUS—As the State of Ohio explores strategies for saving tax dollars and making spending more accountable, the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 66, which will create a reporting mechanism for Ohio citizens and public employees to report the fraud, waste and abuse of tax dollars.

 

Specifically, House Bill 66 will require the Ohio Auditor of State to maintain the Ohio Fraud Reporting System for anonymously reporting fraud and compel government entities to provide information about the fraud reporting system to their employees. Under the Ohio Whistleblower Protection Act, it also protects those employees who report the misuse of public resources to the toll-free hotline, Auditor of State’s web site or through the U.S. Postal Service.

 

“This legislation will offer public employees one more avenue through which they can anonymously report theft or misuse of tax dollars,” said McGregor, who sponsored the bill. “House Bill 66 is a valuable tool for the protection of taxpayer dollars, one that is sorely needed during these difficult economic times.”

 

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, nearly half of all fraud that is detected in government agencies is reported through tips. The median amount of loss and waste that is experienced by an entity is reduced by 50 percent for organizations with an anonymous fraud hotline.

 

House Bill 66 passed by a vote of 96-0 and will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

QOTD: Jim Jordan on US Senate Run

From a Marion Star interview

Q: Are you going to run for the U.S. Senate next year?

A:No, I don't think so. I mean, look, maybe it if was a couple years on down the road. I just talked about family. We have four children, and our youngest has one more year of high school. And I know the nature of campaigns because I've been in tough campaigns before. ... I just know how hard you have to work to win. I just know what you got to do in a state of 11 million people in a nationalized race, go raise money all over the country, go to 88 counties. I'm going to miss his senior year, and I don't think it's the right thing to do as a dad.

Doesn't sound like a guy waiting for the "right moment" to announce to me...

Veteran Political Strategist Joins Ohio Republican Party as Executive Director

Release:

(Columbus) - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine announced on Tuesday that veteran political strategist Darren Bearson will join the party's administrative staff as executive director.

Bearson brings more than 15 years of party and campaign management experience to the position, having served in key leadership positions for the Republican National Committee (RNC), the White House and the Republican Party of Minnesota.
"Darren is one of the most talented and widely respected operatives in the nation, and we are incredibly fortunate to bring him to Ohio," said DeWine.  "He has an impressive record of service in state and national politics.  More importantly, he knows first-hand the critical role a party organization plays in supporting our candidates, party leaders and elected officials.  We have a lot at stake in the 2012 presidential election, and I look forward to working alongside Darren as we build a strong, well-funded party operation in Ohio that will lead us to victory."

During his tenure at the RNC, Bearson served as Regional Political Director for eight central states in the 2010 midterm elections, overseeing the development of statewide voter turnout programs and infrastructure plans.  He was responsible for managing 45 staffers in 32 regional offices and allocating $3.4 million in committee resources. 

Prior to joining the RNC, Bearson worked as executive director of the Republican Party of Minnesota, where he managed all day-to-day party operations, including 30 employees and a $12 million budget.  He also helped lead an operational restructuring effort that led the party out of $500,000 in debt to a $1 million surplus in less than two years.

Bearson previously worked in the Bush Administration as the White House Liaison to the U.S. Department of Energy, where he was responsible for coordinating policy issues, advising the Secretary of Energy and managing the personnel process for 130 presidential appointees to the department.  He also served as Associate Political Director in the White House Office of Political Affairs, where he managed relationships between the White House and political leaders in seven states, including Ohio.

Since 2009, Bearson has served as president of Compass Point Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in political, research and grassroots strategies for candidates, corporations and non-profit organizations.

Bearson has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University in New York.  He and his wife, Sonya, reside in Plymouth, Minnesota, with their two sons.  They are in the process of relocating to Ohio.

Will this be another know-it-all from out-of-state?  We shall see...

Brown County News: Thanks to Ohio Supremes, Dennis the Menace is Back

Dennis Varnau has gained relevance again. This time, the culprit is the Ohio Supreme Court. They have kicked his repeatedly smacked down claims of lack of qualifications by Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger back to the 12th district court of appeals. From the Brown County Press:

The legal battle between Dennis Varnau and Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger has taken another turn.

The Ohio Supreme Court has reversed a decision by the 12th Ohio Court of Appeals, ordering the appeals court to rule on Varnau's effort to oust Wenninger from office.

Last August, the appeals court ruled in Wenningers favor, denying a writ of "Quo Warranto" to Varnau.

Such a writ is the legal procedure to remove an individual from public office.he appeals court ruled that since the Brown County Board of Elections had previously certified Wenninger as a candidate, Varnau had no standing to request a Quo Warranto ruling.

The Supreme Court decision means that the appeals court will now decide the case on its merits.

Varnau is claiming that Wenninger was not certified as a law enforcement officer in 2000 and was therefore not a lawful candidate for Sheriff.

He further claims that this lack of certification carries forward to the elections of 2004 and 2008, making Wenninger an unlawful candidate in them as well.

Wenninger told the Brown County Press last August that all of his certifications are up to date and that he is fully qualified to serve as Sheriff.

Varnau protested Wenninger's candidacy to the Brown County Board of Elections in 2008, when he ran as an independent candidate.

The ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court said "...the board of elections denied the protest, because, among other reasons, it was not filed by a member of the appropriate (political) party."

Varnau was running as an independent, and not a member of a political party.

Varnau responded by filing papers in Brown County Common Pleas Court to force the board of elections to accept his protest.

The court denied his request, ruling that Varnau's protest was not "filed by a qualified elector who is a member of the same political party as the candidate..."

Varnau appealed to the 12th District Court of Appeals which ruled in Wenninger's favor.

The Ohio Supreme Court now says the appeals court was wrong and must rule on Varnau's writ of Quo Warranto.

A key part of the Supreme Court ruling rests in the fact that the board of elections did not hold a hearing to hear Varnau's case.

Without such a hearing, the Supreme Court says, the boards ruling lacks the authority that the appeals court cited when ruling against Varnau.

There is no word on when the issue will be reexamined by the 12th District Court of Appeals.

Varnau says that if Wenninger is found to be unqualified, then Dennis should be made sheriff.

To me, this shows you that this is not about justice. If it were, then KO Martin or Buddy Coburn should be named sheriff, not Varnau. However, this shows that Dennis is in this for Dennis, not justice.

And, this stuff has been heard again and again. Enough already.