Tom Stickrath, who heads the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, said he and Attorney General Mike DeWine are exploring their options that may include a process whereby people who are acquitted file a document with the trial court to have their DNA removed from the national crime database.WRONG ANSWER, MIKEY...try again.
Majority Attempts to Conceal Mistakes
COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives has received several pieces of legislation from the majority caucus that are strikingly similar to other bills introduced earlier this General Assembly from the other side of the aisle.
Earlier this week, House Bill 562 was introduced that would eliminate the $20 late fee endorsed and signed into law by House Democrats and Governor Strickland with the passage of the biennial budget. State Representative Deborah Newcomb (D-Conneaut) and 15 of her Democratic colleagues cosponsored this measure that reverses a measure they previously endorsed by supporting House Bill 2. However, State Reps. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) and Terry Boose (R- Norwalk), introduced House Bill 428 in January 2010, nearly seven months earlier and encouraged all members of the Ohio House of Representatives to join them on this necessary repeal.
“Every dime, every dollar counts in today’s economy. I am elated to see that my colleagues have introduced this legislation and look forward to swift action,” said Rep. Terry Boose. “Nonetheless, the majority Democratic Caucus cannot play both sides of the field. While Ohioans are suffering and partisan politics have been placed aside in the struggling business owners’ mind, the majority party does one thing, and then attempts to cover their malicious, expensive intent with political gimmicks.”
The combined list of cosponsors to eliminate the late fee represents more than enough support to repeal it. Earlier this year the Daily Record reported that more than $16 million has been collected from 818,429 individuals. However, the burden of duplicative legislation has been forced on the hard-working families of Ohio more than once.
State Rep. Ron Maag questioned the duration of time that had elapsed, asking, “Why won’t the Speaker call us into session and pass legislation today? Why did the House Democrats wait nearly eight months to do this? I look forward to swift attention being paid to this necessary repeal, just like the swift action with House Bill 473.”
Rep. Maag introduced House Bill 132, legislation to address “sexting,” in April 2009. More than a year later, House Bill 473, a legislative measure to prohibit sexting, was introduced in March 2010 and the House voted on the bill two short months later.
COLUMBUS-- State Representative Courtney Combs (R-Hamilton) announced today the Ohio House voted to pass his legislation, House Bill 55, which is aimed at addressing animal cruelty.
“The Masterpiece case really brought the issue of animal cruelty in Ohio to light,” Combs said. “House Bill 55 realizes the seriousness of abusing innocent animals and creates consequences for these actions that were long overdue."
House Bill 55 would increase the penalties of cruelty to animals, require mandatory evaluation and possible therapy for minors who torture or abuse animals, and allow judges to include pets in court protection orders issued in domestic violence cases.
Last February, a three-month-old baby alpaca named Masterpiece was stolen from a farm in Butler County by two teens and one adult. According to police reports, Masterpiece was suspended in the air and severely beaten and tortured until it died. The story received national attention and was a driving force for this reform.
“Constituent outcry over this issue has been overwhelming,” Combs said. “I’m pleased that both sides of the aisle were able to agree on the importance of this legislation and the ramifications it has on reducing violence now and in the future.”
Combs’ bill now moves onto the Senate for further debate.
House Chamber Plagued with Abuse of Legislative Process
COLUMBUS— With less than two weeks of legislative session left, a bipartisan effort to produce jobs and reduce the anti-business atmosphere that majority Democrats have created over the past 17 months has yet to occur.
“Unfortunately, throughout this legislative session, the majority party has demonstrated a consistent inability to garner open, earnest discussions on legislation aimed at ensuring a more prosperous Ohio,” said House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “It has become very clear that Ohio is not experiencing the same growth that many other states across the nation are. The majority caucus, especially the leadership team, should take their responsibilities and actions more seriously. They seem to be unaware that, as lawmakers, we are honored to represent the people of Ohio in the people’s house.”
To date, the House Democrats have silenced numerous economic discussions, ignored bills that would stimulate job growth and embarrassed the House chamber through blatant disrespect of the House rules.
“This legislative political game playing must be stopped,” said House Republican Asst. Leader Louis W. Blessing Jr. (R-Cincinnati). “If my colleagues from across the aisle truly believe that our caucus will take part in their games, they are sorely mistaken. In the beginning, the speaker and his colleagues pledged to use tax or fee increases as a last resort. To date, they have worked with Governor Strickland in raising more than 150 fees and placing a $900 million unexpected, retroactive tax increase on the backs of Ohioans. The numerous examples of total departure of the legislative process and respect for the House as a sacred institution are appalling.”
One such example of deliberate disrespect for the legislative process includes House Bill 400. This legislative measure, introduced by Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney), works to incrementally diminish over a decade’s time, the personal income tax in Ohio to make the state economy more competitive.
“While our economy is suffering, one might think that partisanship power grabs of the legislative process could yield until we find a solution,” said Adams. “However, my legislation aimed at stimulating discussions about the best way to eliminate Ohio’s income tax and alleviate the tax burden that has made Ohio uncompetitive is being abused. Tax policy is the main difference between states that create jobs and states that scare them away. The Democrats have time and again entertained foolish legislation and neglects to address the hemorrhaging of jobs from our state.”
However, since it was unveiled six months ago, House Bill 400 has received only two hearings. The first hearing included brief sponsor testimony and the second was reported by the media as an attempt by the House majority to repeatedly twist the intent and use it against the sponsor, or “flog it like a zombie that keeps popping out of the grave.”
“Almost all bills that have more than one hearing have at least a day for proponent testimony, but despite our requests, the majority has refused to allow a proponent hearing,” said Matt Huffman (R-Lima). “As ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, it was quite distasteful to see that no witnesses who attended to offer proponent testimony were able to fully testify at the first hearing, because opponents were called before the proponents. Many had traveled from across the country to Columbus under the impression they would be afforded the opportunity to offer their insight and comments.”
Recognizing that fixing the state’s woes requires fiscal discipline and a long-term vision, House Republicans have proposed several dozen bills to create jobs, encourage business investment and propel Ohio’s economy forward.
“As legislators, we have a responsibility to hold cooperative, intelligent debates on how to get Ohioans back to work,” Rep. Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) said. “Unfortunately, when one group of witnesses is silenced during the committee process, it is impossible to work together as a legislative body. I hope that the House majority will be able to put partisanship aside and do what is right for Ohio’s future.”
COLUMBUS-- State Representative Courtney Combs (R-Hamilton) announced today the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee voted to pass his legislation, House Bill 55, which is aimed at addressing animal cruelty.
“The current penalties for animal abuse in Ohio are no more than a slap on the wrist and do nothing to punish the abuser or prevent future acts,” Combs said. “In addition, current law does not connect the dots between children abusing animals and the potential for future violence."
House Bill 55 would increase the penalties of cruelty to animals, require mandatory evaluation and possible therapy for minors who torture or abuse animals, and allow judges to include pets in court protection orders issued in domestic violence cases.
Last February, a three-month-old baby alpaca named Masterpiece was stolen from a farm in Butler County by two teens and one adult. According to police reports, Masterpiece was suspended in the air and severely beaten and tortured until it died. The story received national attention and was a driving force for this reform.
“Public outcry and calls for increased penalties from officials across the state have led to this demand for change. This bill will go a long way towards reducing and preventing cases of animal abuse here in Ohio,” said Combs.
Combs’ bill now moves onto the House floor for a full vote.
COLUMBUS - Ohio House Republicans today named State Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) as the newest addition to their leadership team for the remainder of the 128th General Assembly.
“I am proud to serve on my caucus’s leadership team and have the opportunity to share the ideas and concerns of the 23rd House District,” said Grossman. “There are so many critical issues facing the state of Ohio, and it is an honor to have the confidence of my legislative colleagues.”
Grossman will join Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina), Assistant Republican Leader Louis W. Blessing, Jr. (R-Colerain Township), and Whip John Adams (R-Sidney) as the Assistant Whip. The Assistant Whip was elected by all members of the caucus and is responsible for supporting the Republican Whip in monitoring legislation and securing votes for legislation on the floor.
“Ohio’s focus must be concentrated on creating jobs and strengthening our economy,” Batchelder said. “Representative Grossman is a great asset to moving our state in the right direction.”
Columbus – State Representative Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) today spoke out against 21 State Controlling Board requests that increase state spending by more than $100 million and contradict the legislative authority of the General Assembly.
“Unfortunately, members of the current administration cannot live within their means and have ignored the most important piece of legislation that the 128th General Assembly has passed—the state budget,” Hottinger said. “This continued trend of state agencies attempting to circumvent the legislative process by asking the Controlling Board for additional funding increases is unacceptable.”
Specifically, Hottinger questioned 21 appropriation requests by 14 state agencies, which would increase state expenditures by more than $104 million over the next biennium.
“The $104 million price tag associated with these requests could have avoided devastating cuts to our public libraries and saved educational programs for economically disadvantaged children,” Hottinger said. “The budget boondoggle of 2009 is still fresh, and cuts to public programs and their devastating effect on the people of Ohio still populate news headlines. When will we examine the fundamental structure of state government and how we do business?”
* It would become a criminal offense for Ohio business and property owners to make decisions based on their religious beliefs regarding homosexual behaviors.
* The Ohio Civil Rights Commission would be authorized to work with the Department of Education to insure that all public school students in Ohio are taught that belief in the Biblical truth regarding homosexuality and other distorted sexual behaviors is equivalent to prejudice and thus inherently wrong. Students who have been taught by their parents that homosexual behaviors are contrary to their religious beliefs would have to remain silent or risk being punished, criticized and/or bullied. [Note: Sensitivity training of this nature does not recognize the critical difference between respect for all persons and affirmation of their beliefs and lifestyles.]
* Civil Rights laws in Ohio would be seriously weakened. Civil rights laws were enacted to provide needed protection for classes that truly have experienced unjust discrimination. In order to qualify as a protected class under civil rights law, our courts have consistently held that a class must meet three criteria. They (1) must exhibit an immutable, non-behavior-based characteristic such as race or skin color; (2) they must have experienced a history of discrimination resulting in class-wide economic deprivation; and (3) they must be politically powerless. The courts have insisted that all three criteria apply in order to prevent extension of these protections to special interest groups and to insure the effectiveness of such protections for the truly deserving. "Sexual orientation" and "gender identity," the classes that H.B. 176 would add, do not meet any of these criteria and their inclusion would undermine and trivialize Ohio Civil Rights law.
* Ohio state agencies, all local political subdivisions and any employer seeking to transact business with the state or its political subdivisions would be required to take affirmative action toward hiring persons in the new protected classes of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" - thereby discriminating against all persons who do not so identify themselves. This is blatant reverse discrimination!
Thanks for asking, Matt. I have been a long supporter of drilling on public lands. I typically don't co-sponsor much - especially when I don't serve on the committee that will hear the bill -- because you can't control how the bill gets changed. Often times it changes so much you don't recognize it and wouldn't have supported it to begin with. So you know, we were successful in getting the drilling language in the conference report of the budget. Sadly it was one of Governor Strickland's vetoes. Since he doesn't support it and the House Ds don't support it we won't get anything done on this issue. Ohio is full of natural resources -- we ought to be extracting them for use of the taxpayers. Speaking of energy, did you read the Riskind article in today's Dispatch on the Piketon plant? Check it out. This is another area where Obama and Strickland have failed us on energy policy. And jobs too. Sad.I think this is the Riskind story she was referring to...and I'm glad that she brought that up because I was trying to decide if I should include that in this post. The Piketon plant is another in the long line of Ted Strickland failures.
The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 prohibits a federal or state permit or lease from being issued for new oil and gas slant, directional, or offshore drilling in or under one or more of the Great Lakes (42 USC § 15941). Thus, if enacted, the bill might conflict with federal law.Of course, had the bill seen the light of day, we could have started an effort to get our Congressional delegation working on fixing it...
Matt, another angle to the Federal limitation is that the Feds have in effect "taken" the subsurface resources of the lakes, without any input from the Great Lakes states - who OWN the lake bottoms and everything below to the center of the earth.If my emailer is going where I think he is, this might make for an interesting Tenth Amendment type case...
“This budget relies on more than $7 billion in one-time money, and as a member of the Ohio House, I feel this is unforgivable and irresponsible and I could not support it. The members of the 128th General Assembly were given a matter of minutes to review a budget totaling more than 4,000 pages that increases state spending by billions in these difficult economic times.”The budget presented to the Ohio House of Representatives continues the over-reliance on non-renewable funding which includes $4.3 billion in one-time revenue sources, with approximately $2.2 billion in temporary stimulus federal funding. This budget increases spending by more than $1 billion in 2010 and an additional $950 million in 2011.
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“These are extremely difficult times where we need to be solving budget problems permanently, not relying on one-time money. Knowing the difficulties we are facing now, if we don’t look to permanent solutions, I am extremely concerned where Ohio will be in two years. The lack of transparency and accurate budget projections throughout this budget process has been a tremendous disservice to the people of Ohio.”
“Governor Strickland and the House Democrats have failed to make the tough decisions during these budget proceedings. This budget’s over-reliance on one-time federal stimulus money paves the way for financial disaster two years down the road during the next biennium budget. In a time when Ohio’s families and small business owners are tightening their budgets why shouldn’t Ohio do the same?”The measure still contains items for which House Republicans have repeatedly raised objections. The plan is the Governor Strickland’s framework which includes $4.3 billion in one-time revenue sources, with approximately $2.2 billion in temporary federal funding; institutes more than $1 billion in fee increases which the governor has previously equated to a tax increase; and paves the way for the governor to expand gambling in Ohio with slot machines.
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“Our children’s future should not be mortgaged on slot machines. We were promised the lottery was going to save education funding during the 1970s. This is the same type of charade.”
Supplies and Maintenance: $1,440,138,517 * .213 = $306,749,504These figures total well over $1 billion dollars. Even if you take the payroll savings and just reduce supplies/maintenance ($144M) and equipment($16M) by 10% you are still over $1 billion.
Equipment: $164,774,862 * .213 = $35,097,046