Bubp on the Budget...and Other Issues

My representative to the Ohio Statehouse, and a great American, Colonel Danny Bubp (who should spend more time calling into the TIB All Star Show than Eric Deters Show, I'm just sayin'), spoke to the Brown County Press recently about the new state government and the rough year ahead:

State Representative Danny Bubp (R-West Union) says "double digit" cuts are coming to the budget for Ohio.

Bubp said he could not be more specific at this time, but added that the state of Ohio was looking at a budget deficit of eight to ten Billion dollars, approaching twenty percent of the total budget, and that cuts were unavoidable.
Bubp said "the people spoke loud and clear on Nov. 2 that they want change in Ohio" and that current spending levels are "putting the future of all Ohioans in jeopardy and we cannot do that."

Bubp acknowledges that the spending cuts being proposed will affect nearly every person in the state and likens the coming cuts to taking medicine.

"The medicine might not taste good, but it's necessary to nurse the patient, in this case the state budget, back to health."

He said that the Republicans, who control the State House and Senate chambers and the Governors Office, would be working to create jobs and "put out a welcome sign for businesses" in Ohio.

Bubp said he was already working on a couple of bills in the first full week of the 2011 Legislative Session.

Rep. Bubp also has some bills he is working on, as well as some committee assignments under the new Speaker of the Ohio House Bill Batchelder:

Bubp was appointed last week by Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) to serve as chairman of the House Judiciary and Ethics Committee during the 129th General Assembly. In addition, he will serve on the Veteran's Affairs and Criminal Justice committees.Bubp said he was already working on a couple of bills in the first full week of the 2011 Legislative Session.

"We're working on crystallizing and improving our concealed carry law to protect the second amendment rights of our citizens", Bubp said.

He also said he was working with Rep. Dr. Terry Johnson of the Portsmouth area on legislation to fight painkiller "pill mills" in Ohio.

"These pill mills are responsible for far too many drug deaths in our state", Bubp said.

"We have to work to make sure doctors and law enforcement are on the same page to keep these pills off the street."

One solution Bubp discussed is to make better use of a statewide reporting system so doctors, pharmacies and law enforcement agencies can spot patterns of prescription drug abuse.

Regarding his appointment, Bubp said "I'm deeply honored to have been appointed by Speaker Batchelder to serve as chairman of the Judiciary and Ethics Committee."

"I will continue to seek pragmatic solutions to the concerns of our community and help create jobs for our state."

Rep. Bubp is rumored to be considering running for the Ohio Senate seat currently occupied by the term limited (and retroactively tax raising) Tom Niehaus. Bubp's Republican primary opponent will likely be fellow State Rep. Joe Uecker. Both Uecker and Bubp are term limited in the statehouse at the close of this next term.

OHD-89: Ironton Tribune endorses Dr. Terry Johnson

Release:

The Ironton Tribune has endorsed Dr. Terry Johnson to be the next State Representative for Ohio’s 89th House District, citing his proven record of leadership and his courage to tackle seemingly insurmountable problems.


“Dr. Terry Johnson has demonstrated (leadership) while serving the United States of America in the National Guard during wartime,” the Tribune said.

“Those unique experiences and his medical background set him apart from his opponent and would allow him to bring a much-needed perspective to the Ohio House of Representatives. For that Dr. Johnson is the best candidate to represent Southern Ohio in the 89th District that includes western Lawrence County.”

The Tribune also praised Dr. Johnson’s work fighting prescription drug abuse as Scioto County Coroner, saying it shows he has the courage and tenacity to tackle what some might call an insurmountable problem.

If elected, Dr. Johnson will be the only physician in the Statehouse. The Tribune said that Columbus would benefit from his medical expertise as they tackle issues such as health reform.

“It may be a rare occurrence in today’s culture, but hopefully Terry Johnson will be given the opportunity to make a ‘House’ call,” the Tribune concluded.

That endorsement may be found here.

89th Ohio House: Johnson Announces Five More Endorsements

Release:

PORTSMOUTH – Dr. Terry Johnson has unveiled five additional endorsements in his campaign to be elected 89th District State Representative today, all of which go toward his ability to help Ohio add jobs.

Dr. Johnson announced endorsements from the Ohio Society of CPAs, the Ohio Restaurant Association, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) SAFE Trust, Local 92 International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation-AGGPAC.
He said the endorsements reflect confidence in his ability to help create jobs and balance the state of Ohio’s budget.
“It means a lot to me that I have received support from the Ohio Society of CPAs, the Restaurant Association, the NFIB and our farmers and organized labor,” Dr. Johnson said. “Creating a business and job friendly environment and bringing common sense and sanity back to the state budget are two of the greatest challenges our next state representative will face. It means a lot that leaders in these crucial job related fields are placing their trust in me.”
Johnson has also been endorsed by the Ohio Right to Life PAC, the Buckeye Firearms Association, Ohio Veterans United, the Ohio Osteopathic Association PAC, and the Ohio State Medical Association PAC.
“I’m honored by the support this campaign has received, but I know that this is about something far bigger than me. It’s about finally getting our leaders in Columbus to pay attention to our needs in southern Ohio,” Dr. Johnson said. “It’s about protecting our children from the scourge of prescription drug abuse. It’s about putting the hardworking men and women of southern Ohio back to work. To put it simply, it’s about the people.”
Dr. Terry Johnson serves as Scioto County’s Coroner, a position to which he has been elected three times. He is a twenty year veteran of the Ohio National Guard and has completed multiple tours of duty in Iraq.

Dr. Johnson Warns HB206 Could Lead to Rx Drug Abuse

Release:

Dr. Terry Johnson [has] commented on the recently approved House Bill 206, which will give certain Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) the authority to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances.

Dr. Johnson, a candidate for State Representative in Ohio’s 89th District, warned that the bill could seriously hamper efforts to stop prescription drug abuse.

“Prescription drug abuse has been destroying lives in southern Ohio for too long,” Dr. Johnson said. “H.B. 206 gives almost 4,000 new people the ability to prescribe these drugs. This is the absolute wrong time to do this. While I have tremendous respect for Advanced Practice Nurses and value them as colleagues, the reality is that we have enough trouble trying to keep an eye on all the prescribers we have now. If we start giving more people the power to hand out these drugs, this problem could go from bad to worse.”

Dr. Johnson is among the leading voices in the fight against prescription drug abuse. Since becoming County Coroner in 2002, he began tracking the number of prescription drug overdoses in Scioto County and educating the public about how bad the problem has become.

“Right now, there aren’t any physicians in the statehouse, and this issue underscores why it is so important to change that,” Dr. Johnson said. “I’m sure our lawmakers had the best of intentions with this bill, but unfortunately they just don’t understand how their decisions are affecting southern Ohio. If I’m elected to the Statehouse, I’ll make sure the needs and the problems of southern Ohio are strongly represented and understood.”

Jon Wills, director of the Ohio Osteopathic Association, has also warned lawmakers about the potential impact of the bill. In a letter sent to members of the Ohio House, Wills wrote that it “makes no sense to add an additional 4,000 Schedule II prescribers,” and that it was not in the public interest to “indiscriminately expand the availability of Schedule II prescribing.”

89th Ohio House Update: Dr. Johnson's Win and His Dem Opponent

Release:

After Tuesday’s primary election, Dr. Terry Johnson thanked his supporters for putting him in position to win the seat of State Representative in Ohio’s 89th District.

“I have been humbled by the level of support my candidacy has already received, and I can’t wait to embark on the next stage of this campaign,” Johnson said. “To everyone that has volunteered for me, given money to me, and even added me as a friend on Facebook: Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Johnson says he and his supporters are guided by the mantra, “It’s about the people!” The slogan is featured on campaign buttons, and often repeated by the candidate.

“It’s about the people,” Johnson said. “It’s not about party politics. It’s not about Republicans and Democrats. It’s about getting real leadership that will put all of that aside and just do what is right for the people of southern Ohio. That’s why I’m running for State Representative.”

Johnson said jobs creation is a top priority to him, and that he is the only candidate with the experience needed to make it happen.

“I believe double-digit unemployment rates are unacceptable, and that’s why my top priority is fighting for jobs,” Johnson said. “If creating jobs was as easy as saying, ‘we need jobs,’ it would have been done years ago. The truth is it will take real leadership to make Columbus focus on our needs, and I think southern Ohio already knows I’m up to the task.”

Johnson added, “I think I’ve already shown my ability to lead. For years, I’ve been a leader in the fight against Prescription Drug Abuse. That’s a problem I take very seriously, because it absolutely ruins lives.”

Johnson also promised veterans that he would be their strongest ally in Columbus. “I hold a very special place in my heart for America’s veterans, and I will do everything I can to make sure they come home to the kind of care and compassion they deserve.”

Johnson also referenced his opponent, Ron Hadsell, who defeated Scioto County Commissioner Mike Crabtree.

“As for Ron Hadsell, I look forward to discussing the future of southern Ohio him,” Johnson said. “In November, the voters will decide which of us has the kind of experience and leadership to actually create jobs, end prescription drug abuse, and improve education. But for now, all I want to say to Ron is ‘Congratulations.’”

Want more good news about this race? Check out this bit from the Ironton Tribune:

Crabtree blamed a lack of funding and a late campaign start for his loss.

“I think we made a pretty good showing,” he said. “I’m not all that disappointed.”

He spent around $17,000, he said.

The Scioto County Commissioner said he will not support Hadsell in the election because he believes the campaign included some false accusations about Crabtree.

He wished Hadsell luck in the election but added that he would not help him win.

I am hearing that Hadsell's campaign has ripped the local Democratic Party in half, because his team isn't just trying to win this race...they want to take over their entire party. He's attempting a total coup, and his enemies are adding up.