Kasich Hates Your Republican Values -- He Wants to "Redfine" Them For You

...but don't take my word for it, he said it:

Republican presidential contender John Kasich has split from other conservatives in his party on issues like immigration and same-sex marriage, but he's not denouncing the GOP's values just yet.

"I think I have right to define what the party is, Charlie," Kasich told "CBS This Morning" host Charlie Rose early Thursday. "Look, if I win, I have a right to define what the party is, and along the way I'm defining what it is."

How gracious of the governor not to denounce our values...just yet.

• He's for illegal immigration with absolutely no consequences. (I've seen no statement or policy from him or attributed to him that would lead me to believe otherwise.)

• He's for allowing ISIS to operate in Syria (His policy is a no-fly zone that Russia is currently "violating" by CRUSHING ISIS in Syria.)

• He's pro-Common Core

• He's pro Obamacare (even though he claims he wants repeal, his actions tell a different story/  See: Medicaid expansion) 

• He's opposed to cheap oil (See: Fracking taxes)

• He's a tyrant.  When he doesn't get his way, he goes around the legislature and takes "executive" action (Sound familiar?)

 There are reasons why people like Joy Behar and Rachel Maddow like him.  He's NOT one of us.  He is one of THEM.

My favorite bit is about the Trans-Pacific Partnership:

Kasich said that he believes "it's good for the U.S. not only in terms of economics but in terms of foreign policy. Trade can make a difference in strengthening us around the world."

He added that while he hasn't read the full details of the trade bill, he does support it.

He doesn't need to read the bill to know that he likes it.  Obama likes it and that's good enough for him.

Lastly, there's this:

When questioned about his differing stance on same-sex marriage, Kasich said, "Look, I believe in traditional marriage, but the court has ruled."

The Court ruled on slavery, segregation and women's suffrage too.....  Kasich doesn't really believe in traditional marriage or he'd recognize that the decision doesn't hold up to the values of his party and would insist that the party continue to fight.

Instead, he wants to "redefine" Republican values just as he has "redefined" conservatism in Ohio.  How'd THAT work out for us?

RELEASE: AFP Applauds OH on RPS Freeze Recommendation

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio chapter of Americans for Prosperity is applauding state officials for announcing today that they recommend extending the freeze of its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) indefinitely. The organization has consistently opposed these mandates at the state level that require utilities to buy certain amounts of their electricity from economically unviable electricity sources that are unaffordable and unreliable. The result for Ohio and other states has been higher electricity prices, which squeeze family budgets and kill jobs. 

AFP-Ohio State Director Baylor Myers released the following statement: 

"We're thrilled that Ohio is continuing to lead the way in rethinking these harmful energy mandates, and that state officials have recognized the relief this freeze is bringing to the families and businesses living in our state. This is an important step toward restoring free markets in the energy sector, and I hope Ohio's actions inspire other states to push back against misguided attempts to pick winners and losers among energy sources." 

In 2014, Governor John Kasich signed the freeze of the 2008 RPS mandate into law, giving officials a two-year window to study its effect on utility prices. Yesterday, Kasich backtracked and said that extending the freeze is ‘unacceptable,’ despite his administration characterizing the original freeze as “firmly in the sensible center.” 

A spokesperson for Americans for Prosperity said the group will continue to advocate for a free market in the energy sector, allowing for affordable, abundant energy solutions in Ohio and across the country.

Preacher John (Kasich) the Green Opposes Republicans on Energy

Hours after the Ohio legislature published their recommendations about renewable energy mandates,  new "grassroots" organization called the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum launched, calling for "a genuine 'all of the above' approach to Ohio’s energy policy – one that recognizes our history while also committing to advancing clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Its chairman? Kasich for Ohio state director and former Columbus Chamber of Commerce lobbyist and former Kasich staffer Michael Hartley.

Its "state energy director"? Former Kasich office and campaign intern Tyler Duvelius.

Their "regulatory affairs, public policy, federal and state politics, and grassroots organization advisor? Kasich appointee and campaigner Mike Gonidakis.

Who's Terry McClure? Just the president of Northwest Ohio Wind LLC, a company that directly benefits from green-energy power mandates. And a Kasich campaigner.

Tom Moe? Another Kasich state appointee and ex-campaign surrogate.

Now, why is Team Kasich opposing the green-energy freeze recommendation?

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/ohio-energy-inc/2015/09/kasich-ohios-renewable-energy-freeze-is.html

“A continued freeze of Ohio’s energy standards is unacceptable and we stand willing to work with the Ohio General Assembly to craft a bill that supports a diverse mix of reliable, low-cost energy sources while preserving the gains we have made in the state’s economy,” Kasich spokesman Joe Andrews said in an email.

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2014/05/renewables-freeze-baffles-opponents-but-backers.html

“Ohio needs more renewable and alternative-energy sources and it needs a strong system to support them as they get started,” Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said in an email.

The website, http://www.ohcef.org/, is registered to Steiner Public Relations, owned by Ohio GOP PR guy and Kasich backer Curt Steiner.


Lots of things bother me about this.


First of all, the "all of the above" approach wasn't designed to be employed as a way to save "green" energy.  It was thought of as a way to protect the coal, natural gas and oil industries FROM the green lobby.


Second, the name of the organization implies that in order to be "conservative" you have to agree with John Kasich's position on energy.  I don't.  But I'm FAR more conservative than he is on a good many issues, including this one.


Lastly, why not just be honest with people.  This is a Team Kasich front.  If Preacher John wanted to make this an issue, why doesn't he just come out and say so?  We all know that the Speaker (and his three "unnamed" state representatives who vetoed me) will fall right in line with whatever he wants, so let's just skip the cloak and dagger and get on with it already.

BUCKEYE INSTITUTE: Energy Mandates Study Committee Recommends Indefinite Freeze

COLUMBUS, OHIO--The Buckeye Institute's energy policy expert today praised a special legislative committee's recommendation that the General Assembly indefinitely freeze Ohio's renewable energy and energy efficiency mandates.

 

However, the free market think tank expressed serious concern about Gov. John Kasich's statement that he might not support the recommended freeze on the alternative energy mandates, also known as Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards.

 

"Ohioans would experience higher energy prices and weaker economic growth if these mandates remain," said Joe Nichols, the Institute's William & Helen Diehl Energy and Transparency Fellow.  "The government should not be picking winners and losers, which hurts Ohioans who can afford it the least -- poor and middle class families, minorities, and those who live on fixed incomes.  Reintroducing mandates also makes it more difficult for companies to create jobs in Ohio."

 

On the governor's indication that he may not support the committee's recommended indefinite freeze, Robert Alt, President and CEO of The Buckeye Institute, said: "We shouldn't return to the policy mistakes of the Strickland administration by embracing another costly government mandate."

 

The energy mandates force Ohio utilities to buy increasing amounts of renewable energy and implement energy efficiency programs.  The bipartisan, bicameral Energy Mandates Study Committee heard testimony from The Buckeye Institute about how these mandates negatively impact the state's economy and energy production.

RELEASE: Energy Mandates Study Committee Releases Report

COLUMBUS—State Representative Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson), co-chair of the Energy Mandates Study Committee, today released the report on the committee, which outlines its findings and recommendations.

Rep. Roegner released the following statement regarding the report:

“I’m happy today to present the report on the findings and recommendations from the Energy Mandates Study Committee, which is the result of testimony from experts and Ohio citizens, in-depth research on the topic of government energy mandates, and thorough discussion regarding best practices for energy policy.

The findings indicate various recommendations for how the legislature can assist in continuing on the most cost-effective pathway for Ohio ratepayers, and I look forward to furthering the conversation with my colleagues in the House and Senate to see what legislation could be possible as a result of these findings.”

The committee was created through Substitute Senate Bill 310 of the 130^th General Assembly. Consisting of a bipartisan panel of members from both the House and Senate, and the chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), the study committee was tasked with studying Ohio’s renewable energy, energy efficiency, and peak demand reduction mandates enacted into law by Amended Substitute Senate Bill 221 of the 127^th General Assembly.

IER on SOTU

Release:

WASHINGTON D.C. -- IER President Thomas Pyle released the following statement in response to President Obama's State of the Union address, given tonight before a joint session of the United States Congress:

"Tonight, the president affirmed the renaissance in American manufacturing and recognized the promise of American energy. Yet he seems to misunderstand the reason that manufacturing jobs are coming back to America and why domestic oil and natural gas production are on the rise. These bright spots in an otherwise dark economic time have happened despite the president's policies, and not because of them.

The proof of his administration's failure is that, despite federal lands and waters much larger than the combined private and state lands in the U.S., the CRS says 96% of this increase in oil production occured on non federal lands. Something is very, very wrong with the president's energy programs.

"It is telling that President Obama seemed more concerned about climate change than job creation, clearly following a well-worn path for this administration where no crisis goes to waste in pursuit of the President's progressive agenda. For this administration, a deadly hurricane means a chance for carbon taxes. A crop-killling heat wave means another opportunity to attack the coal industry. Virtually any nightly weather report can be exploited to justify the empowerment of Washington regulators and more hurdles for affordable energy. In fact, the only jobs the president seems to be worried about are at the Environmental Protection Agency.

"The President promised to 'keep cutting red tape and speeding up new oil and gas permits.' Yet his record is a more reliable indicator of his agenda than his rhetoric. Currently, it takes more than 300 days to get a permit to drill for oil or gas on federal lands, compared with 10 days in North Dakota where an energy boom has led to the lowest unemployment in the country. For all his talk of speeding up permits, it is telling that one permit remains on ice: the Keystone XL pipeline.

"In the very next breath, the president promised to spend more federal dollars on efficiency standards and green energy progams. He just doesn't seem to get it. More spending from Washington will neither solve our fiscal crisis nor promote American energy independence.

"Essentially, the president's plan amounts to greater dependence on Chinese financiers to reduce dependence on OPEC. Trading one form of foreign dependency for another is not a path forward.

"This past week, the Institute for Energy Research released a report detailing a path forward to economic growth, job creation, and much-needed tax revenues without a single dollar of government spending required. This study, entitled "Beyond the Congressional Budget Office," estimates that the United States could experience more than $14 trillion dollars in GDP growth, nearly $80 billion in annual federal tax revenues, and nearly 2 million jobs every year if the administration would get out of the way and let the American people go to work producing energy on our federal lands and waters.

With commonsense solutions and a commitment to American energy security, we can move forward. What we do not need is more of the same false rhetoric, or more of the same failed policies."

Coal Groups Blast Sherrod Brown's Comments

COLUMBUS - The Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia coal associations responded to remarks Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown made as ‘patently false’ during a U.S. Senate debate at the City Club of Cleveland on Oct. 16.

During the debate, a questioner asked Senator Brown how he could support jobs and cheaper energy in Ohio while backing a president that has declared war on coal.

"There is no war on coal. Period. There are more coal jobs and more coal produced in Ohio than there were five years ago, in spite of the talking points and the yard signs," responded Brown.

President Obama’s bullying regulatory measures, such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Utility MACT rule, which Senator Brown supported, while other Democrats from coal states like Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) did not, will have a direct impact on coal and coal-fired power plants in Ohio and other states. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called the rule one of the most expensive in U.S. history because of the excessive burden it places on power plants.

“Senator Sherrod Brown has been no friend of coal. Period.  Don’t be fooled because the facts don’t lie. President Obama is waging a war on coal with Senator Brown as his lieutenant. Look at the job loss reports this year alone. The truth is that any more job loss might impact our current electric grid and brown outs could be a likely scenario,” said Mike Carey.  

Background

Ohio Manufacturers: “National Economic Research Associates, a firm that evaluates economic impacts for government agencies, associations and businesses, in a preliminary analysis for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity projects that Utility MACT and CSAPR will result in 1.4 million lost jobs nationally over the next nine years, including 53,500 jobs in Ohio.” (Columbus Dispatch, 10/20/11)  

PolitiFactOhio, Mostly True: Ohio coal industry says Obama promised to bankrupt coal-fired power plant builders The Obama administration has unquestionably angered the coal industry with rules or proposals affecting air quality standards, coal ash, renewable energy and the issuance of permits needed for coal mining. (Plain Dealer, 3/1/11)

With An Estimated $9.6 Billion Price Tag, The Rules Rank Among The Most Expensive In The EPA’s History. Large Ohio coal plants will go dark within a few years. Duke Energy announced that the Walter C. Beckjord Generating Station in Clermont County east of Cincinnati will cease operating coal-fired units in 2015. The plant has produced energy for six decades. (Dayton Daily News, 1/6/12)

Coal Raked by Regulations

• Alpha Natural Resources will cut 1,200 workers (Press Release, 9/28/12)
• PBS Coals Inc. and RoxCoal will lay off 225 workers (Erich Schwartzel, “Tow coal companies downsize,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 7/20/12)
• Arch Coal announced they will be furloughing 500 employees (Jack Latta, “Massive layoffs with Arch Coal mine closings,” Floyd County Times 7/18/12)
• Peabody to close Indiana mine (Sonja Elmquist, “Peabody to close coal mine on ‘soft market conditions,’” Bloomberg 9/5/2012)
• Patriot Coal goes bankrupt (Study, “Obama Energy Policies Are Working: Patriot Coal Goes Bankrupt,” Institute for Energy Research 7/16/12)
• The nonpartisan U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated 175 coal power plants are scheduled to be shut down from 2012 to 2016.

Ohio Isn't Better Off with Sherrod Brown in the US Senate: Energy Edition

Sherrod Brown has been a key booster of Barack Obama's policies. He has marched lockstep with Obama on the road to corporatist communism, aka crony capitalism while the rest of us out here in small business land are regulated to death. Donors and buddies get breaks, while others get screwed. Here is how Sherrod Brown has worked to screw over the energy industry:
Brown Supports The EPA’s Job-Killing Cap-And-Trade Mandate

Brown Voted Against An Amendment Which Would Have Blocked The EPA From Regulating Carbon Dioxide And Other Greenhouse Gasses. “McConnell, R-Ky., amendment no. 183 that would block the EPA from regulating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.” (S. 493, CQ Vote #54: Rejected 50-50: R 46-1; D 4-47; I 0-2, 4/6/11, Brown Voted Nay)

Knowing Full Well That Obama’s EPA Regulations Could Be “Burdensome” And Could Harm Economic Growth. “A key Midwestern Senate Democrat on Monday called on the Obama administration to reconsider its approach to greenhouse gas regulation, as EPA critics weigh their legislative options for blocking the new rules. Ohio’s Sherrod Brown called the new permitting requirements for large emitters ‘burdensome’ and said they could harm economic growth, echoing the concerns of industry and GOP lawmakers.” (Geof Koss, “Ohio’s Brown Is Latest Senate Democrat To Criticize EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules,” Congressional Quarterly, 2/28/11)

Which Will Kill 53,000 Ohio Jobs

New EPA Rules Threaten 50 Ohio Jobs At Dayton Power & Light Plant. “Facing the prospect of having to shut down a coal-burning power plant that employs 50, Dayton Power & Light said it’s studying a plan to repower the O.H. Hutchings Station plant here with natural gas as a way to keep the facility along the Great Miami River operating.” (Steve Bennish, “EPA Rules To Force Old Coal Plants To Adapt, Close,” Dayton Daily News, 1/6/12)

Dayton Power & Light Plant Is The Latest Among Ohio Coal Plants To Be Threatened By The Obama Administration. “Large Ohio coal plants will go dark within a few years. Duke Energy announced that the Walter C. Beckjord Generating Station in Clermont County east of Cincinnati will cease operating coal-fired units in 2015. … Other Ohio utilities have announced coal-burning power plants headed for closure, including American Electric Power in Columbus. AEP said it would close two West Virginia plants and one Ohio plant, Picway. Two other Ohio plants, Conesville and Muskingum River, would close generating units.” (Steve Bennish, “EPA Rules To Force Old Coal Plants To Adapt, Close,” Dayton Daily News, 1/6/12)
The EPA’s Regulation Will Shut Down The Muskingum River Coal-Fired Power Plant. The Muskingum River coal-fired power plant in Ohio is nearing the end of its life. AEP, one of the country’s biggest coal-based utilities, says it will cut 159 jobs when it shuts the decades-old plant in three years — sooner than it would like — because of new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency. (Jia Lynn Yang, Do regulations cost jobs?,Washington Post, 11/15/11)

And Increase Energy Rates On Families In Ohio By 13 Percent

OHIO MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION: National Economic Research Associates, a firm that evaluates economic impacts for government agencies, associations and businesses, in a preliminary analysis for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity projects that Utility MACT and CSAPR will result in 1.4 million lost jobs nationally over the next nine years, including 53,500 jobs in Ohio. And that’s net job losses, because the research takes into account jobs created by the two new rules as well those that will be lost. Additionally, according to NERA, utilities’ compliance costs for the two regulations would total $17 billion annually and electricity costs in Ohio would increase by about 13 percent. (Kevin Schmidt, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Columbus Dispatch , 10/20/11)

So, while Obama and Sherrod Brown pat themselves on the back for regulating Carbon Dioxide, SOMETHING WE ALL BREATHE OUT AND SOMETHING PLANTS NEED TO LIVE, Ohioans are going hungry and losing jobs, and very soon are going to be experiencing longer and more frequent blackouts. Motivate Sherrod Brown to get a new job. Vote for Josh Mandel for US Senate!

Brilliant, Ohio isn't Better off Under Obama: Energy

Obama decimated the town of Brilliant, Ohio with his energy policies. How you ask? Here is the answer:

The OhioAmerican Energy company announced it would close its coal mine near Brilliant, Ohio on Tuesday. There is no question whatsoever about the reason for the shutdown, because the company made it abundantly clear in their press release, which I am reproducing in full below. President Obama will be campaigning in Ohio on Wednesday; perhaps someone will present him with a copy of this letter and ask for his thoughts.

———-

OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. (“OhioAmerican”), a Subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation (“Murray Energy”), today announced the closure of its coal mining operations near Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio.

Regulatory actions by President Barack Obama and his appointees and followers were cited as the entire reason. “Mr. Obama has already destroyed 83,000 megawatts of coal-fired electricity generation in America,” said Mr. Michael T. W. Carey, Vice President of Government Affairs for Murray Energy. “Electric prices in the recent PJM Interconnection monthly auction were bid up 800 percent (8 times) for 2015-2016 because of this,” he added.

“At its peak, OhioAmerican employed 239 local people in high-paying, well-benefited jobs,” said Mr. Stanley T. Piasecki, General Manager and Superintendent. “University studies show that our Mines can create up to eleven (11) secondary jobs in our communities, for store clerks, teachers, etc., to serve our direct employees. Thus, if one uses the eleven (11) to one (1) multiplier, the Obama Administration has destroyed 2,868 jobs in eastern Ohio with this forced Mine closure,” stated Mr. Piasecki.

“This is a sad day for all of us, and particularly Mr. Robert E. Murray, the Founder of OhioAmerican,” said Mr. Piasecki. “He is so distraught that he came to the Mine and personally announced the layoffs to each of the employees,” he added.

“Mr. Murray created OhioAmerican, and our production began in May, 2007,” said Mr. Piasecki. The Mine was intended to last for at least ten (10) years. Now we have been forced by our own Country’s President and his followers and supporters to permanently close the operation,” added Mr. Piasecki.

“Fortunately,” said Mr. Ryan M. Murray, Vice President of Operations, “we will be able to eventually employ thirty-two (32) of the OhioAmerican employees at another operation of Murray Energy, when their work is finished at their existing Mine.” “But, these thirty-two (32) people will fill jobs that would have gone to others,” said Mr. Murray. “Therefore, considering this, we have lost all of the jobs at OhioAmerican, and we are deeply saddened,” he added.

“As was stated by Mr. Ronald D. Koontz, General Manager of The Ohio Valley Coal Company (“Ohio Valley”), regarding the layoff of twenty-nine (29) employees at Ohio Valley’s Powhatan No. 6 Mine last Friday, this is not the end,” said Mr. Piasecki.

“There will be additional layoffs, not only at Murray Energy, but also throughout the United States coal industry due to Mr. Obama’s ‘War on Coal’ and the destruction that it has caused to so many jobs and families in the Ohio Valley area and elsewhere,” said Mr. Murray. “Both Mr. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stated that there would be ‘no coal in America’ prior to their elections,” said Mr. Piasecki. “They are making good on their intentions while they destroy so many lives and family livelihoods in this area for no benefit whatsoever,” he concluded.

(bold emphases are mine)

Obama is destroyiing this town. Just think of Ohio with more rolling blackouts, like California in the Gray Davis days. This is Obama's vision for Ohio. Him with all the power, and us with just candles and generators.

We are Not Better Off Under Obama...Ohio Edition Part 1

Ohio is trying to recover from the double dip disaster that was Obama in the White House and Ted Strickland in the governor's mansion. John Kasich and the House Republicans in the General Assembly (no thanks to Tom Niehaus, who retroactively raised your taxes by the way, and the many cowards in the Ohio Senate)have done yeoman's work to get Ohio on the way back. However, we are still suffering on many issues because of Obama:

Gas Prices

Statewide Gas Prices Are 30% Higher Than A Year Ago And Have Increased By 90% Since President Obama Took Office. As I sit here at Eastgate, the average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Ohio was $3.631 – 86.7 cents higher than it was a year ago. For the week of January 19, 2009, the average price in Ohio was $1.916. And what has Obama done to help lower gas prices? He has nixed the keystone pipeline, which in addition to lowering prices would have created jobs. He has allowed fewer companies to drill in America, while buying more gas from Brazil and other countries.

Coal Mine Closes in Ohio; Obama Blamed

Release:

OhioAmerican Energy, Inc. ("OhioAmerican"), a Subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation ("Murray Energy"), today announced the closure of its coal mining operations near Brilliant, Jefferson County, Ohio. Regulatory actions by President Barack Obama and his appointees and followers were cited as the entire reason. "Mr. Obama has already destroyed 83,000 megawatts of coal-fired electricity generation in America," said Mr. Michael T. W. Carey, Vice President of Government Affairs for Murray Energy. "Electric prices in the recent PJM Interconnection monthly auction were bid up 800 percent (8 times) for 2015-2016 because of this," he added.

"At its peak, OhioAmerican employed 239 local people in high-paying, well- benefited jobs," said Mr. Stanley T. Piasecki, General Manager and Superintendent. "University studies show that our Mines can create up to eleven (11) secondary jobs in our communities, for store clerks, teachers, etc., to serve our direct employees. Thus, if one uses the eleven (11) to one (1) multiplier, the Obama Administration has destroyed 2,868 jobs in eastern Ohio with this forced Mine closure," stated Mr. Piasecki.

"This is a sad day for all of us, and particularly Mr. Robert E. Murray, the Founder of OhioAmerican," said Mr. Piasecki. "He is so distraught that he came to the Mine and personally announced the layoffs to each of the employees," he added. "Mr. Murray created OhioAmerican, and our production began in May, 2007," said Mr. Piasecki. The Mine was intended to last for at least ten (10) years. Now we have been forced by our own Country's President and his followers and supporters to permanently close the operation," added Mr. Piasecki.

"Fortunately," said Mr. Ryan M. Murray, Vice President of Operations, "we will be able to eventually employ thirty-two (32) of the OhioAmerican employees at another operation of Murray Energy, when their work is finished at their existing Mine." "But, these thirty-two (32) people will fill jobs that would have gone to others," said Mr. Murray. "Therefore, considering this, we have lost all of the jobs at OhioAmerican, and we are deeply saddened," he added.

"As was stated by Mr. Ronald D. Koontz, General Manager of The Ohio Valley Coal Company ("Ohio Valley"), regarding the layoff of twenty-nine (29) employees at Ohio Valley's Powhatan No. 6 Mine last Friday, this is not the end," said Mr. Piasecki. "There will be additional layoffs, not only at Murray Energy, but also throughout the United States coal industry due to Mr. Obama's 'War on Coal' and the destruction that it has caused to so many jobs and families in the Ohio Valley area and elsewhere," said Mr. Murray. "Both Mr. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden stated that there would be 'no coal in America' prior to their elections," said Mr. Piasecki. "They are making good on their intentions while they destroy so many lives and family livelihoods in this area for no benefit whatsoever," he concluded

OHIO LIBERTY COALITION COMES OUT AGAINST KASICH PLANS FOR TAX INCREASE

Release:

Columbus, Ohio - The Ohio Liberty Coalition today came out against Governor Kasich’s proposed tax increase on the Ohio oil and gas industry. Tom Zawistowski, President of the OLC said, “What Governor Kasich is proposing is unnecessary and unwise. Under the current rules, the severance tax on oil and gas produced $11 million in state taxes in 2009, and by 2014 it is projected by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to increase to $433 million per year. If the Governor wants to cut personal income taxes he can use that new money to do so. It is unnecessary to raise taxes when this industry is already on track to dramatically increase tax revenue. It is also unwise to throw roadblocks in front of an industry that is critical to the economic future of our state. Some companies are already leaving Ohio. That is not what we want.”

He went on to explain, “We understand the argument that the Governor wants to bring energy taxes in line with other states, but we do not agree that this is what Ohio should do. If we have a tax advantage then we think we should exploit that advantage and use it to attract more businesses. Then we will get more tax revenue from taxes generated by ‘downstream’ industrial and business activity.”

Zawistowski concluded by saying, “From a TEA Party perspective, to raise taxes on one group to give a tax cut to another group is simply redistribution of wealth. It is not the Governor’s job to pick winners and losers; his job is to run the state government as efficiently as possible. If he wants to cut taxes, he should cut state spending so he can cut taxes. We will encourage our member groups to contact their state senators and house representatives and ask them to oppose the Governor’s proposal.”

The Ohio Liberty Coalition is a coalition of liberty group leaders whose purpose is to unite conservative grassroots organizations for greater effectiveness in the state and nation, and to provide resources for member organizations to strengthen their groups. The OLC currently has over 75 liberty-minded groups across Ohio who are members of its coalition.

Kasich Pulls Obama Move on Oil and Gas Industry with Executive Order

Release:

COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich signed Executive Order 2012-09K which authorizes the Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management within the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to require additional testing and safeguards as part of the permitting process for an injection well. The Executive Order is effective immediately.

Why does this governor hate southeastern Ohio so much? Stay tuned, as I have ideas on that front as well...

Kasich's Executive Order can be found here.

AD: "Stop Raising Electric Bills and Cut Spending"

This is a pretty good ad hitting Senator "Charade" Brown for the big three votes that will continue to be the albatross around his neck as this race continues...

The failed stimulus bill...his vote to increase our electricity bills...and...the ObamaCare Tax hike on the middle class... Charade has voted for them all...



It is time we had a senator in Washington who opposed wasteful spending instead of embracing it.

GUEST POST: "House Bill Would Spur Production of Energy and Jobs"

By U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt,
Ohio’s Second Congressional District

It has become an annual ritual. Each summer, gas prices spike – further burdening American families and causing outrage across the United States. President Obama says there is no “magic wand” that will bring oil prices down – and that we need to discuss long-term energy strategies. Instead, we usually resort to a short-term gimmick, like opening the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Summer turns to fall, and we move on to another topic.

Unfortunately, this is no time to move on. Today, the national average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is around $3.40. And, some 13 million Americans are out of work. Establishing a long-term energy plan can help change all of those numbers for the better.

The fact is that our nation has far more untapped oil than what is in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. There is great potential to develop our own domestic energy sources on federal lands, but we keep getting in our own way. The federal government is making it more difficult to tap the sources of energy. And, once those sources are available, the government throws up road blocks to bringing that energy to consumers.

Last week, the House of Representatives considered a bill, the Domestic Energy and Jobs Act, that seeks to harness our domestic energy resources. It also would help put Americans back to work, lower gas prices over the long term, and reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil.

More specifically, this bill seeks to stop the Obama administration from hindering domestic oil and natural gas production on federal lands – while cutting bureaucratic red tape and streamlining the federal permitting process.

It also would require the federal government to set longer-term production goals – using an “all of the above” approach to meeting our nation’s energy needs. And, it would make the Environmental Protection Agency consider the effects of its rules and regulations on domestic energy consumers.

This is a common-sense approach for the government to maintain a steady hand in promoting reliable and affordable access to energy.

Brown Stands with Obama's War on Coal: Votes Against Jobs

Release:

COLUMBUS - Today, Sherrod Brown voted to destroy thousands of jobs by supporting the job-killing regulation known as the Utility Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule. The Utility MACT is a controversial U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that threatens Ohio's affordable and reliable electricity.

"Once again Sherrod Brown has put politics ahead of Ohioans," said Ohio Republican Party spokeswoman Izzy Santa. "His continued support for the Obama administration's war on coal will destroy thousands of jobs and hurt families and businesses by continuing to drive up energy prices."

Economists state the EPA's Utility MACT regulation could destroy 180,000 jobs nationwide. In Ohio, the National Economic Research Associates found the regulation, along with the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), could kill 53,500 jobs and increase electricity rates by 13 percent.

5 GOP Senators Side with Radical Enviros

Release:

June 20, 2012, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today condemned 5 Republican Senators for guaranteeing implementation of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation on coal emissions by voting against a resolution by Sen. James Inhofe that would have rescinded it:

"This is a tragic defeat. Enough Democrats voted with the Republicans to defeat the EPA's crippling regulation against the coal industry, but then five GOP senators led by Lamar Alexander provided the margin of victory for the radical environmentalists. If all five had voted with their party, this regulation would have been defeated. Therefore, it is these five Republicans: Alexander, Ayotte, Brown, Collins, and Snowe who are responsible for the higher energy costs that will result from implementation of the EPA's irresponsible war on coal.

"These five senators have undercut the message of job creation and growth being advanced by the Republican Party and its nominees this year.

"The EPA's mercury emission regulations will require power plants be retrofitted with new technologies that cost billions of dollars to implement. Rather than going through that trouble, however, older coal-fired plants are simply being shut down, leading to a drop in demand, which then hurts miners who depend on coal for their livelihoods. These five senators now deserve the blame."

5 Republican Senators who voted against Inhofe resolution: Lamar Alexander (TN), Kelly Ayotte (NH), Scott Brown (MA), Olympia Snowe (ME), and Susan Collins (ME)

Sen. Portman Statement on Senate’s Unwillingness To Roll Back Job-Killing Utility MACT Rules

Release:

Washington, DC – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Senate’s unwillingness to roll back the EPA’s Job-Killing Utility MACT standard for impacting Ohio’s power plants:

“The EPA doesn’t seem to understand the impact of its regulation on grid reliability and economic growth. Sadly, we can now say the same thing about the U.S. Senate. This regulation will cause Ohio power plants to shut down and could cause thousands of Ohioans to lose their jobs, and millions more see a big increase in their electricity rates. To get the economy moving again, Washington needs to rein in government overreach and regulations that are creating uncertainty and stifling innovation.”

In September 2012, Sen. Portman introduced the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011 to significantly reform the federal regulatory process and reduce unnecessary burdens on job creators. Under this bill, the new Utility MACT rule would not have been possible without a more rigorous analysis of its costs, benefits and impact on jobs. The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 253-167.

Sherrod Brown Threatens Coal Jobs In Ohio

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Columbus, Ohio – Today, thirty-eight year politician Sherrod Brown voted against S.J. Res. 37, which would have prevented one of the most expensive Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules in history that threatens coal jobs in Ohio and will lead to higher energy costs for families across the state. S.J. Res 37 was a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act intended to stop implementation of the EPA's Utility MACT rule. Sherrod Brown, who was considered a swing vote on this important issue for several months leading up to today’s vote, dodged media questions about the legislation before ultimately voting against it today.

Please see the below statement:

“Thirty-eight year politician Sherrod Brown’s vote to uphold the expensive Utility MACT regulation is a perfect example of how he has lost touch with the people he represents. Brown is fond of saying that choosing between jobs and environmental policy is a false choice, but today he used his vote on the Senate floor to make his choice clear by opposing coal jobs and coal-fired electricity plants. When it came down to it, Sherrod Brown did not have the courage to stand up to Barack Obama and radical environmentalists in order to protect jobs in Ohio’s coal industry. Ohio families should be concerned about the effect Sherrod Brown's vote will have on energy prices and the reliability of our power supply.

Sherrod Brown’s vote not only means higher electricity bills for families and businesses, it threatens the jobs of our fellow Ohioans that work in or around the coal industry. I have been in the mines and have stood shoulder to shoulder with the very coal miners that Sherrod Brown’s vote threatens to impact, and I will continue to do everything possible to protect their jobs, which begins with voters firing Sherrod Brown and changing Washington by changing the people we send there.” – State Treasurer Josh Mandel, Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate

Sherrod Brown's Vote Against Coal Hurt Ohio

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 20, 2012) – Today Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown voted against a Congressional Review Act (CRA), Senate Joint Resolution 37, that would have disapproved and nullified the EPA’s recently issued rule penalizing Ohio’s coal-fired electric power plants.

“Instead of helping Ohio families and workers still reeling from America’s economic downturn, Senator Brown chose to show his support for an EPA rule issued by President Obama that would destroy Ohio jobs and sky-rocket electricity prices for consumers,” said President of the Ohio Coal Association Mike Carey.

The CRA introduced by Senator Inhofe (R-OK) would make sure the EPA writes a sensible regulation that reduces mercury emissions but does not raise energy prices unnecessarily. Senator Brown did not support the measure when it was voted on today.

“The rules issued by the EPA are an unreasonable extension of President Obama’s war on the coal industry and Ohio electricity consumers. Ohio’s coal industry supplies the majority Ohio’s electricity and keeps rates competitive. Dramatically increasing these rates will destroy important economic sectors in Ohio, including manufacturing which needs low energy costs to compete in a global marketplace,” said Carey.

Independent research shows electricity prices could increase by as much as 300 percent in northern Ohio. UBS projects prices will increase at least 60 percent for 2015-2016.

“Ohioans are paying a high price for Senator Brown’s support for the Obama war on coal,” said Carey.