RELEASE: Legislative Leaders Announce Creation of Redistricting Working Group

COLUMBUS—Ohio House Speaker Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina) today announced the creation of a working group to review and reform Ohio’s congressional redistricting process.

State Representative Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) and State Senator Matt Huffman (R-Lima) will co-chair the working group. Leaders of the House and Senate Democratic caucuses have been invited to participate, but at this point have yet to select a member for the panel.

The working group will review current law, explore possible reforms, gather public input and make recommendations to the legislative leaders by early December. The General Assembly would then consider whether to proceed with a redistricting reform resolution to place before Ohio voters. The deadline for considering such a proposal on the 2018 primary election ballot is February 7, however the General Assembly has the authority to put a proposal on the ballot at any date of its choosing.

“Redistricting has been an issue that several states, including Ohio, have been giving a closer look at in recent years,” said Speaker Rosenberger. “With the responsibility of redrawing congressional districts quickly approaching, we feel the issue deserves thorough review and consideration, with the goal of finding common-sense reforms that will lead to a redistricting process that all interested parties can agree on. I believe the creation of this panel, which I hope will be bipartisan, will yield an open exchange of ideas and input from varying perspectives.”

“I'm confident we can have a meaningful, bipartisan conversation about redistricting that can potentially show us a path forward to reform,” said Senate President Obhof. “I know that because we've been here before, particularly in the Senate, where we've been able to pass bipartisan congressional redistricting reforms twice in the last decade. I'm hopeful this dialogue will lead us again to a fair, constitutional process that we can take to Ohioans for consideration.”

The working group is expected to begin holding meetings as soon as this month. Specific details on times and locations will be forthcoming.

St. Rep. Rosenberger Applauds Passage of FirstNet Resolution

Release:

COLUMBUS—[Yesterday], Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) applauded the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 15 through the Ohio House of Representatives. The bill urges the United States Congress to hold regular hearings in reference to the nationwide broadband public safety network designated as FirstNet, and to provide information on the costs of the network for Ohio and Ohio’s taxpayers.

First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) was enacted by the federal government for the use of first responders. This new directive allows for the federal government to take over Ohio’s current broadband system and requires Ohio to singularly utilize FirstNet. In an effort to protect Ohio’s taxpayers by analyzing how FirstNet will affect the state financially, S.C.R. 15 calls for detailed answers in regards to the effectiveness and costs of the new network. Ohio has already invested over $500,000,000 in the current first responder system and FirstNet requires Ohio to financially back the system with costs remaining unknown.

“Ohio needs to make sure that our infrastructure assets are protected and that we continue to make good investments,” said Rep. Rosenberger, who sponsored the companion bill to S.C.R. 15 in the House. “FirstNet is a great idea. Emergency personnel deserve an interoperable communications system, but I believe that Ohio and other states should play a larger role in the development of a nationwide system. As a state, we have invested far too much to develop a statewide communications system to have no guarantee that the federal system can deliver a more effective service.”

Due to the undetermined expenditures of FirstNet, the resolution urges Congress to create a comprehensive business plan listing the expenses of the service. In addition, the resolution asks that Ohio be able to opt-out of the network if the state chooses to do so.

S.C.R. 15 passed with bipartisan support.

Ohio House Passes Resolution Honoring the U.S. Armed Forces for the Successful Operation Against Osama bin Laden

Release:

COLUMBUS—Members of the Ohio House of Representatives today united to commend and honor the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who conducted a successful operation against Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011.

 

House Concurrent Resolution 16, jointly sponsored by Reps. Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) and Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville), applauds all those in the military, including the U.S. Special Forces, the U.S. national security agencies, and the U.S. intelligence community for their successful mission in locating bin Laden.

 

“This resolution honors all those who made the operation against Osama Bin Laden a success,” Rep. Butler said. “Especially those anonymous brave men and women who risked and gave their lives, not for glory, fame or political advantage, but to defend our fragile freedom, which is never safe from threat and should never be taken for granted.”

 

H.C.R. 16 states that “the death of Osama bin Laden represents the culmination of nearly ten years of efforts by the United States Armed Forces and intelligence agencies as well as efforts of our allies to bring Osama bin Laden to justice for the death and destruction that he and his organization have wrought throughout the world. Those efforts, most of which are not known or recognized, are indicative of the courage, skill, determination, and honor of the men and women who have undertaken them on behalf of the citizens of the United States and freedom-loving people throughout the world.”

 

"This resolution seeks to honor those who seek no recognition,” Rep. Rosenberger stated.  “Daily, these men and women go about their job with no news or fanfare, and many of their successful operations go unpublished.  This resolution seeks to thank those brave Americans who fight for our freedoms and continue to defend liberty’s cause."

 

The resolution passed with unanimous support in the Ohio House.

Ohio House Passes Senate Resolution to Urge Job Creation at Piketon Plant

Release:

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed a resolution that aims to create thousands of local jobs in southern Ohio and invigorate the state economy. Senate Concurrent Resolution 4—which is companion legislation to House Concurrent Resolution 4—urges President Barack Obama to direct the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) to grant a loan to USEC Inc. to ensure the continuation of the uranium enrichment project in Piketon.

“The American Centrifuge Project is a tremendous opportunity for southern Ohio that would create much-needed jobs for the region,” said Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville), the sponsor of H.C.R. 4. “Over the last several months, we have worked hard to get Ohio moving at the speed of business for job creation. The U.S. Department of Energy’s cooperation is critical for the success of this project, and it is now their turn to step up to the plate and prove their commitment to Ohio.”

The American Centrifuge Project would create an estimated 8,000 direct and indirect American jobs—at least half of which would be based in Ohio. The Generation III+ nuclear power reactor located at this site would create more than 2,000 construction jobs and add approximately 500 permanent professional and technical jobs to the region.

“This project holds the potential for much-needed job creation and economic development in our region,” said Sen. David Daniels (R-Greenfield), who sponsored S.C.R. 4. “USEC’s loan guarantee has been pending for more than two years, and I am hopeful that an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks. USEC has more than demonstrated its commitment to this project and the Piketon community – now it’s time for our leaders in Washington, D.C. to do the same.”

Since 2002, USEC has invested nearly $2 billion of its own money to partially finance the American Centrifuge Project. The Ohio House had passed the companion H.C.R. 4 with strong bipartisan support in April in an effort to support USEC’s project in Piketon.

“I have been pleased to work with local elected officials and business leaders at USEC’s Piketon plant over the last few months,” Rep. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) said. “The USEC project has the potential to be an economic engine and job creator for southwest Ohio.”

“Efforts like the American Centrifuge Project are vital to our state and local economy,” Rep. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) said. “It is within the power of our president to make this loan guarantee happen. He promised, and now it is time to deliver.”

“The Piketon Uranium Enrichment Plant could be a game changer for our area’s economy,” said Rep. John Carey (R-Wellston). “It is my hope that the right decisions are made in Washington to make it happen.”

USEC is a leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. USEC operates the only U.S.-owned uranium enrichment facility in the United States and supplies more than half of the U.S. market and more than a quarter of the world market.

Gov. Kasich Signs House Bill 121 – Child Custody For Military Parents

Release:

COLUMBUS – Today Gov. John R. Kasich signed House Bill 121 (Rosenberger), legislation that protects members of the military reserves from prejudice in custody proceedings if they choose to serve their country. This legislation received unanimous support in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly and is effective immediately. Gov. Kasich was joined for the bill signing by bill sponsor Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, Rep. Jarrod Martin, Sen. Kris Jordan, and Director of Veterans’ Services Col. Tom Moe.

With the passage of HB 121, courts may no longer find that past, present, or possible future active military service is considered a change in circumstances that justifies modifying existing custody orders. The bill also allows military parents with court-ordered visitation rights to delegate these rights to a relative or other person with a substantial relationship with the child, and requires that the other parent facilitate contact between the child and military parent when that parent is on active duty. While the legislation protects the rights of parents in the armed forces, it also ensures the rights of the child’s other parent by requiring the service member seeking a temporary parenting time order to notify the child's other parent and apply to the court as soon as reasonably possible.

Speaker Batchelder Announces Screening Panel to Replace Former Rep. Coley

Release:

COLUMBUS—Ohio House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) and members of the House Republican Caucus today announced that a screening panel will soon begin screening candidates who wish to replace former Representative Bill Coley (R-West Chester Twp.). Mr. Coley was appointed by the Ohio Senate to represent Senate District 4 following the departure of Senator Gary Cates for the Ohio Board of Regents.

 

Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), who will chair the screening panel, will be joined by Reps. Christina Hagan (R-Alliance), Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville), Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon).

 

Residents of the 55^th House District who wish to be considered for the appointment should provide a letter of interest to Speaker Batchelder at 77 South High Street, 14^th floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215 by Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 5 p.m. The screening panel will contact applicants after the June 1^st deadline with further details regarding the screening of candidates.

 

Candidates can expect to be screened the week of June 6^th and, after a vote of the House Republican Caucus, the new member should expect to be appointed during House session on Wednesday, June 8^th.

MATT'S CHAT: Not sure why Christina Hagan is on this panel...has she even graduated yet?

Today in the Ohio Senate

Session Schedule:

At today's session (1:30 p.m.), the Senate will consider the following legislation:

• Regulatory Reform: House Bill 95, sponsored by State Representative Peter Stautberg (R-Anderson Township), modernizes the regulatory process for Ohio's natural gas industry.  The legislation updates antiquated statutes in the Ohio Revised Code and facilitates investments in the natural gas infrastructure that contributes to Ohio's economic vitality.  The bill preserves all of the Public Utility Commission's authority to review utility rate requests, while at the same time helping to reduce overall costs to ratepayers.

• Military Child Custody:  House Bill 121, sponsored by State Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) with companion legislation in the Senate sponsored by Senator Frank LaRose (R-Akron), is specifically designed to help Ohio's military service members who are faced with losing custody of a child due to active duty obligations.  The bill prohibits a parent's absence due to past, present or possible future military service from being the sole determining factor in awarding custody of a child, and it allows a parent who has court-ordered visitation rights to apply for a temporary order delegating those rights to a relative or person with a substantial relationship with the child.  It also gives military parents the option of participating in child custody and visitation rights proceedings via electronic means, such as videoconferencing or telephone.  Senator LaRose testified in committee, "This bill will help to ensure that parental responsibilities are not diminished as a result of military service, while keeping the child's emotional and physical well-being at the forefront of custody and visitation decisions."

St. Rep. Rosenberger Pursues Legislation to Protect Custody Rights of Military Personnel

St. Rep. Cliff Rosenberger

Release:

COLUMBUS—At a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse, State Representatives Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) and Jarrod B. Martin (R-Beavercreek) discussed legislation that, when enacted, will help balance the equities involved with child custody and visitation rights in situations that require military service members to be separated from their families for an extended period of time.

 

Specifically, House Bill 121 states that no permanent orders altering existing custody arrangements should be entered while the custodial parent is unavailable due to military service. The custody order that was in place before the absence of a military parent should be reinstated within a set time upon the return of the military parent, provided that reinstating said custody would not damage the best interests of the child.

 

“In many cases, state laws do not consider the unique aspects of military service when making custody determinations,” said Rosenberger, who is the primary sponsor of the bill. “This legislation would affirm that an absence due to military service should never be the sole basis for a loss of custody or diminished visitation rights, while also keeping the welfare of the child paramount.”

 

This bill also allows a service member with visitation rights to petition the court to allow those visitation rights to be delegated to a third party during the service member’s absence due to military service.

 

“Custody issues often arise from the mobilization of National Guard and military reserve personnel, or the temporary deployment of active-duty service members,” said Martin, who serves as the chairman of the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee. “We need to better balance the equities of military service when considering what is best for the child.”

 

This issue was brought to the representatives’ attention by a constituent of the 86^th District who is an advocate for deployed soldiers. This individual brought to Rep. Rosenberger’s attention the custody predicament of Staff Sergeant Chad Crane, who is currently stationed in Iraq and spoke at the press conference via Skype.

 

“House Bill 121 is monumental and imperative to the mental well being of deployed single soldiers, the mission they provide for this country, and their children,” said SSG Crane. “Not only will House Bill 121 set clear standards in helping the courts handle these situations with fairness, equality, and with the best interest of the minor child in these cases, it will make the daily lives of single deployed soldiers so much better.”

 

House Bill 121 will be assigned to a House committee, where it will undergo further consideration.