State Representative Ron Young (R-Leroy) has proposed legislation to reform Ohio’s E-check testing regulations.

Young’s legislation will decentralize E-check car inspections and allow vehicle owners to have their vehicles E-check tested when they obtain an oil change or other vehicle maintenance.

“Over the past 15 years, E-check has proved to be an unfortunate waste of time and money,” Rep. Young said. “If we cannot eliminate E-check, I at least want to make it more convenient for vehicle owners in Ohio and less expensive to the state by decentralizing E-check inspections.”

Starting next year, vehicle owners in Ohio would be able to go to an approved oil change provider or service garage and have their vehicles’ emissions tested. The owner still will not have to pay for the cost of the E-check test, but the cost to the state for the test will be less than the current cost. “All Ohioans win under my legislation,” Young added.

Rep. Young said he looks forward to working with his legislative colleagues in the House as this bill is assigned to committee and hearings commence on the legislation.

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.

“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.”

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.

Being a state representative, I have a lot of responsibilities as I serve as your voice in Columbus. Ashtabula and Trumbull counties, like much of the state, have seen difficult times the past few years. The Ohio House has worked hard to pass measures that will create jobs, grow business and reduce government waste. At the same time that we’ve worked on legislation to aide our economy, we’ve also been looking at issues that just make common sense, such as the recently passed bill I introduced that restores our schools’ calamity days.

Taking a close look at bill after bill—with spirited debate and a lot of time-consuming work—I’ve continually sought out ways of meshing together the many pressing needs of those in the 99th House District. It’s my goal to take whatever bill lands on my desk and ensure that it will benefit the people I represent, like you.

While much of our focus at the Ohio House of Representatives is now shifting to the Ohio operating budget with a structural imbalance of $8 billion, I want to point out another budget that we have just finished our work on—Ohio’s transportation budget. The House made many changes to this budget that outlines appropriations of $7 billion, and I think the people in our communities will have a great appreciation for the final product.

With the many places we go in our day-to-day lives, we all benefit from the construction and maintenance of Ohio’s roadways. The transportation budget, which was House Bill 114, allocates more than $2 billion annually for this purpose. Furthermore, this budget appropriates money for the Public Works Commission, including $150 million for the state capital improvement program and $49 million for the revolving loan fund. Not only does this appropriation increase the amount provided to our local governments, but it’s expected to retain and protect as many as 30,000 jobs in Ohio.

As we looked at the budget, we aimed for measures that would focus on jobs and help our local businesses. One of the ways we accomplished this is by creating an online titling program for commercial motor vehicles. This will streamline the registration process and help to make Ohio more competitive with states that have already implemented similar programs. It will especially help our area trucking businesses.

There are also many other great aspects of the transportation budget. For instance, the late fees for drivers’ license will be entirely eliminated. This is in addition to the elimination of the late registration fee on seasonal and farm vehicles, ensuring Ohioans do not have to pay extra for their renewals because of an innocent mistake.

Another aspect of the bill that I’m proud of is that it will ensure the voluntary next-of-kin form at the BMV be extended to all license renewals. Should something happen to you or a loved one, it’s very important that the next of kin can be contacted easily. Our lives could depend on it. This measure ensures that Ohioans will be more easily capable of benefitting from this precautionary system that is available to us.

I’m very pleased that the House of Representatives was able to make such a difference with this budget, and I’m even more pleased that the changes we made will improve the lives of those in the 99th House District. I want to continue searching for ways you can benefit from the legislation being considered at the Statehouse, so please don’t hesitate to contact me. Making the necessary changes in Ohio is best done with your guidance.

State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Township) yesterday applauded the passage of HJR 2, better known as the Ohio Healthcare Freedom Act, out of the House Health & Aging Committee. Sears and other Republican lawmakers believe that this is a significant step toward defending Ohioans’ health care choices.

“President Obama told the American public during the national health care debate that if we liked our current health care plans, then we could keep them,” Sears said. “Simply put, the Health Care Freedom Act ensures that Ohioan’s have the ability to not only keep their insurance if they like it, but to find a new one if they don’t.”

The Health Care Freedom Act would preserve the freedom of Ohioans to make their own health care decisions by proposing an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that prohibits any rule or law from forcing a person, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system.

“We cherish freedom in America, whether it’s something as simple as where to eat, or something as difficult as where we want to raise our children,” Sears said. “For health care, this legislation emphasizes that the patient remains the most important figure in health care and allows us make our own health care decisions no matter if they’re hard or easy.”

Similar legislation has been introduced in several states. If passed, the Ohio Health Care Freedom Act would appear as a statewide ballot issue.

State Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) today offered sponsor testimony in the House Public Utilities Committee, encouraging committee members to support House Concurrent Resolution 4. HCR 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 will help revitalize southern Ohio’s economy and place us at the forefront of the advanced nuclear industry in the United States,” Rosenberger said. “The loan guarantee process has been long, and it is time for the federal government to take action.”

USEC’s application for a loan guarantee from USDOE has been pending for two-and-a-half years. Since 2002, USEC has invested nearly $2 billion of its own money to partially finance the American Centrifuge Project.

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. The American Centrifuge Project would create an estimated 8,000 direct and indirect American jobs—up to half of which would be based in Ohio.

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.

Today, Republican and Democrat members of the Ohio House united to pass House Concurrent Resolution 8, which was sponsored by Rep. Mike Stinziano (D-Columbus). HCR 8 designates March 2011 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Ohio, in an effort to raise awareness about prevention and treatment of brain injuries such as blunt force trauma as well as strokes, aneurysms and brain tumors.

Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) released the following statement regarding the passage of HCR 8:

“I’m very pleased that HCR 8 passed unanimously from the Ohio House. It is important that Ohioans be informed about ways to prevent and immediately treat external trauma as well as injury caused by other medical conditions. To bring about a brighter, more prosperous future for Ohio, our citizens must make educated decisions about their health and wellness, and the passage of HCR 8 is a vital step.

As Speaker of the House, I am committed to considering and passing quality Democrat-sponsored legislation that will have a positive impact on all Ohioans. I look forward to continuing working with the minority caucus on measures that will improve the quality of life in Ohio.”

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.

State Representative Courtney Combs (R-Hamilton) today announced the Ohio House’s passage of Substitute House Bill 21—which strives to expand educational opportunity for Ohio’s urban and rural schools by establishing Teach For America in Ohio—by a vote of 65-32.

Specifically, Sub. H.B. 21 directs the State Board of Education to issue a resident educator license to an applicant who is assigned by Teach For America to teach in Ohio and meet certain required qualifications. It also directs the State Board to issue a resident educator license to an applicant who has completed at least two years of teaching in another state as a participant in the Teach For America program and to credit that individual with completion of two years of the four-year Ohio Teacher Residency Program.

“It is time to give Ohio schools access to this extremely talented pool of individuals that get recruited by Teach for America,” said Combs. “To bring top graduates of all disciplines from the top 10 percent of universities in the nation into our most needy classrooms is an opportunity that parents and students cannot afford to pass up.”

Over the two year period that a Teach For America teacher is working in Ohio’s schools, they will be double evaluated by both the strict requirements of their mentoring program and also by the Ohio Teacher Residency Program. No school districts or charters will be made to hire these teachers, but data from other states shows that once the program is brought into a state, the competitive recruitment of these teachers begins by schools needing to greatly improve. With 31 other states recruiting these top graduates from top universities and inviting them to live and work in their state, it makes perfect sense to take full advantage of this program for the future of Ohio.

Despite decades of attempts at reforming education through new funding and adjusted standards, there is still a staggering amount of children in Ohio who are not prepared for the challenges of college or the workplace. The 2009 National Assessment of Education Progress, sometimes referred to as our nation’s report card, stated that only 36 percent of Ohio eighth graders scored proficient or better in mathematics. This legislation aims to provide new lines of support for our education system where achievement goals have fallen short. The fact is that highly effective teachers are the most critical element for improving student achievement, more than class size, poverty, family background, and even overall school quality.

One of Governor John Kasich’s priorities for his vision of Ohio is to recruit and retain the best and brightest to our state through innovation and increased job opportunities, and one of the most abundant resources Ohio has is higher education graduates. Last year, Teach For America was the number-one employer of graduates from Denison University, Otterbein College, Kenyon College and the College of Wooster, all of those highly motivated top graduates are forced to pursue their goals outside of Ohio. This year alone, more than 1,800 Ohio graduates have applied for the Teach For America program. These young people are motivated to make an immediate change in the communities they will live and work in and Ohio has barred them from staying in Ohio.

Some of the organizations and individuals that have given their support for this legislation are: The Fordham Foundation, Teach For America, President Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Director of the Bureau of Indian Education Keith More, tens of thousands of Teach For America alumni, and hundreds of thousands of students who have been helped by the attention that the Teach For America corp. has given them. Ohio Governor John Kasich mentioned in his State of the State that “Teach for America will be coming to Ohio,” and Representative Combs shares the same goal and wants to use this legislation to encourage our top graduates to stay in Ohio.

Teach For America is a national corps of top recent college graduates from all academic majors who commit two years to teaching in urban and rural public schools. An organization of more than 28,000 teachers and alumni, Teach For America is one of the nation’s most prominent providers of teachers for low-income communities.

The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

At a rally on the West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse, Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) and House Majority Floor Leader Matt Huffman (R-Lima) today spoke to hundreds of school choice supporters about the importance of educational options in Ohio. The rally united advocacy groups, families and lawmakers in an effort to expand school choice in Ohio, including private schools, charter schools, virtual schools and home schools.

“Empowering parents to make the best educational decisions for their children is one of the most integral steps we can take toward an education system that benefits students, first and foremost,” said Batchelder. “We cannot afford to fall short of providing children with an education that fits their own unique needs.”

Huffman—who sponsored House Bill 136 to expand educational options for low- and middle-income families through scholarships—said that he hopes to see every child in Ohio have access to a quality education in Ohio. “There is truly nothing more important than giving our children, the next generation of leaders, the tools to succeed and become innovative thinkers,” Huffman said. “The rally today proved just how vital school choice is to our communities and Ohio’s families.”

Other speakers at the rally included Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Treasurer of State Josh Mandel, State Representative Bill Patmon, State Senator Keith Faber, Congressman Jim Jordan, and other interested parties and individuals.

The rally was hosted by Coalition to Empower Parents Through School Choice in Ohio, in partnership with School Choice Ohio, Ohio Coalition for Quality Education, PACE, American Federation for Children, Harambee Christian School, Columbus Torah Academy, Agudath Israel of America, the Foundation For Educational Choice, and many other supporters.

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 Ross McGregor (R-Springfield), 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.

State Representative Todd McKenney (R-New Franklin) today attended the ceremonial groundbreaking of Röchling Automotive USA’s new manufacturing facility in Akron, which will create approximately 120 new local jobs. The facility will be the company’s seventh manufacturing site in the United States.

“I was pleased to attend this groundbreaking by an exciting new company for the Akron area,” said McKenney. “It shows that the Akron area’s decision to invest in technology and research relating to advanced polymers and plastics is paying off. The region truly has the opportunity to lead the globe in these advanced manufacturing jobs, and this is just an initial step toward that goal.”

The Röchling Automotive Group, headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, is a supplier of engineered plastics. It is one of the world’s leading suppliers of air flow management and acoustics technology.

House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) and Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) announced that, after a lengthy screening process, former Franklin County State Representative Larry Wolpert has been chosen to serve as the executive director of the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). Created in 1977, JCARR reviews proposed new, amended and rescinded rules by executive state agencies.

“We are delighted that Representative Wolpert will lead JCARR and execute the important check-and-balance functions of the committee,” Speaker Batchelder and President Niehaus said in a joint statement. “His diligent, thoughtful legislative work in the House as well as his work in the private sector suit him well for this position.”

Rep. Wolpert served western Franklin County in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2000-2008 and was not able to seek re-election due to term limits. Prior to his service in the Legislature, Mr. Wolpert was a member of Hilliard City Council and employed with Grange Insurance. Currently, Mr. Wolpert is a member of the Ohio Elections Commission and will step down from that position in the coming weeks.

Rep. Ross McGregor (R-Springfield), the chairman of JCARR, praised Wolpert and other candidates under consideration. “While we had an outstanding class of candidates to choose from, I am very grateful that Larry has decided to work with us in this important legislative function,” Rep. McGregor said. “I enjoyed working with him when we were colleagues in the Ohio House of Representatives and I look forward to working with him again.”

Rep. Wolpert’s tenure with JCARR begins on April 1, 2011. He resides in Upper Arlington with his wife.

Just two weeks after the Ohio House’s passage of House Bill 93—which, among other objectives, will address the rampant prevalence of “pill mills”— the Portsmouth and Plymouth offices of Dr. James Lundeen were raided by local and state agents who believe that the doctor has consistently overprescribed prescription drugs. According to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Lundeen is responsible for 61 percent of all Scioto County narcotics prescriptions in the BWC system.

In response to the swift action taken to make Ohio’s communities safer, Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) released the following statement:

“For too long, our communities and families have been poisoned by prescribers who overmedicate their patients or are more concerned about making a few bucks than keeping their patients healthy. We’ve watched as our neighbors and their sons and daughters became affected by this scourge that has reached across this great state, and watched as these instances moved closer and closer to home.

“The investigation into Dr. Lundeen’s office is a powerful first step toward reducing the threat of prescription drug abuse and overdose death. I applaud the quick action of all the state and local officials who responded to this particular individual’s abuse of authority. I truly believe that they helped to save lives throughout Ohio.”

At a press conference at Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office, State Representatives Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) and Nan Baker (R-Westlake) today discussed forthcoming legislation to establish regulation of sweepstakes gaming operations at "internet cafes" and similar establishments. The legislation will limit sweepstakes activities by defining and licensing these operations to ensure that they do not defraud Ohio consumers and compete with legally licensed charitable gaming activities.

“I am proud to be working in conjunction with Attorney General DeWine and Representative Baker on this piece of consumer protection legislation,” said Representative Anielski. “Not only is the measure necessary to protect the citizens within our communities, but it also gives flexibility to local government to utilize home rule to opt out of having sweepstakes parlors within their municipal borders.”

Among other goals, the proposal will set licensing requirements for skill-based amusement machines, slot machines and sweepstakes parlors; limit prizes awarded from sweepstakes parlors to merchandise; grant the Ohio Casino Control Commission the authority to license, regulate, investigate and penalize machine distributors and operators; and categorize sweepstakes devices along with skill-based amusement machines and slot machines under the definition of “gambling devices.”

“I am pleased to be participating in the process of defining what is or is not legal in Ohio when it comes to gambling,” Representative Baker said. “The intent of this bill to protect our Ohio residents and provide transparency and accountability to these new types of sweepstakes parlors that have opened in our cities.”

The proposal was recommended by Attorney General DeWine to provide oversight to previously unregulated games in Ohio.

State Representatives Terry Boose (R-Norwalk) and Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) today applauded the decision by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to rescind the revised regulations on private commercial vehicles operating in intrastate commerce.

Initially intended to take effect on January 1, 2011, the PUCO extended motor carrier safety regulations to include private intrastate vehicles with a weight of between 10,001 and 26,000 lbs. Included in the new regulations were rules that require drivers of these vehicles to maintain log books and medical certificates. Furthermore, these vehicles would have been subject to inspection by the state of Ohio, and the operations of the companies that use these vehicles would have been subject to review from the PUCO’s safety compliance auditors.

“At a time when we need to be reviewing the way our state does business and ensure that our small businesses are not drowning in red tape, I’m very pleased to see the PUCO reverse its decision,” said Grossman. “We simply could not afford to impose even more regulations on our small businesses when they are least able to afford them.”

“In order to encourage job creation and business growth, we first need to reduce the strain on local businesses,” Boose said. “In line with the passage of the Common Sense Initiative, the decision by the PUCO to rescind the new vehicle mandates is yet another step toward a more business-friendly environment in Ohio.

In February, Boose and Grossman introduced House Bill 82 to match Ohio’s hazmat requirements to the federal standard and repeal the additional regulations that are not required by the federal government. This legislation was aimed at alleviating some of the burden caused by the new motor carrier vehicle regulations on businesses.

State Representatives Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and Joe Uecker (R-Loveland) announced that House Bill 78—which will prohibit a woman from obtaining an abortion after the viability of the child is confirmed—passed from the House Health and Aging Committee.

According to the “Ohio Viable Infants Protection Act,” if a woman wants an abortion and her child is 20 weeks or older, a doctor must examine the child to determine if he or she is viable. Viability is confirmed if a child would be able to live outside the womb, which is possible by approximately 22 to 24 weeks.

If the child is viable, the abortion is prohibited except in the case of a medical emergency or if the woman has a serious physical health condition. If an abortion is performed for one of these reasons, it must be performed at a neonatal facility where the method is most likely to permit the child to survive. Additionally, House Bill 78 requires a subjective standard for determining viability and creates reporting requirements of the physician who performs an abortion in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Health.

“Even during pregnancy, these unborn infants are still babies,” said Roegner. “House Bill 78 ensures that babies who are physically capable of surviving outside of the womb receive the care and protection they deserve.”

Currently, abortions are permitted in Ohio right up to the moment of birth. Although most abortions are performed during the first trimester of a woman’s pregnancy, many abortions are performed on women at 20 weeks and later. In 2009, there were 613 abortions that were performed at 20 weeks or later in Ohio. Of these, 116 infants were aborted after 24 weeks and one was aborted as late as 35 weeks. Most doctors agree that a child is capable of living on his or her own outside of the womb at 23 to 24 weeks.

“It is important that we take steps to fine-tune Ohio’s abortion laws so that they will protect moms and infants alike,” Uecker said. “This legislation will help spare many women the devastating complications that may accompany a late-term abortion, while also giving many more infants a chance at life.”

House Bill 78 will now move to the House floor for a vote.

State Representative Margaret Ann Ruhl (R-Mount Vernon) has announced the passage of House Bill 64, which would add specific synthetic cannabinoids to the list of Schedule I controlled substances and impose similar guidelines to those applied to marijuana.

This legislation targets the growing usage of a new designer drug known as K2 or Spice, which mimics the sensational high that is produced by marijuana. The drug has become popular due to its ease of availability but can cause serious side effects. More potent than organic cannabis, K2 has been reported to cause elevated blood pressure and heartbeat, nausea, loss of consciousness, hallucinations and seizures.

“I’m very pleased that this bill passed the House with strong support on both sides of the aisle,” Ruhl said. “House Bill 64 addresses a growing issue of public health and the safety of our families. It is important that our laws regarding drugs are consistent and comprehensive, and this bill is a vital step.”

House Bill 64 passed by a vote of 95-1 and now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

The key to a healthy, happy community is a safe environment for our families and children. As a former Court of Appeals Judge and County Prosecutor, I understand the importance of protecting the citizens of Ohio from dangerous offenders. The safety of our families always comes first, and there are a number of ways we can reform our corrections system to improve its functioning, foster economic development and better protect our communities.

There are currently many features of state sentencing practices that need to be reworked and updated. We all benefit when our correction facilities effectively rehabilitate offenders at a more efficient cost to the taxpayers. With an impending $8 billion budget gap, it is vital that we explore more fiscally responsible spending on our prison system while also looking at ways to reduce recidivism rates.

One area of corrections that the Ohio House and Ohio Senate have focused on is the state sentencing process. My colleagues and I in the state legislature believe that modifying this process will contribute to the efficacy of the justice system. House Bill 86 seeks to address the inadequacies of Ohio’s sentencing practices, which currently cause prison overcrowding and place a heavy fiscal burden on taxpayers. This legislation is a package of reforms that will tackle the problems of recidivism and make spending on Ohio’s correctional system more affordable and effective.

House Bill 86 takes a variety of approaches toward sentencing reform. Currently, penalties for parole violations and failure to pay child support are rather inflexible and cause the state to overspend. House Bill 86 will allow for more sentencing options, from adjustable sanctions to various structured programs. Ohio can save tax dollars by offering alternatives to incarceration for these types of non-violent offenses.

Another reform included in the legislation involves raising the felony theft threshold. As the years pass, inflation inevitably increases, and the theft threshold should reflect this change in inflation. In 1996, the felony theft threshold was increased from $300 to $500, but it has not been updated since. Fifteen years later, the theft of $500 worth of property is not as serious of an offense as it was in 1996. House Bill 86 will raise the threshold to $1,000, an adjustment matching the 15-year increase in inflation. In this way, we can enroll offenders convicted of misdemeanor theft in community corrections programs and incarcerate persons convicted of more serious and dangerous crimes.

House Bill 86 will also encourage participation in certain programs approved by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. These programs include education courses, substance abuse treatment and job training. Excluding sex offenders, incarcerated individuals will have the opportunity to earn credit of one to five days toward their sentence per month of successfully completed coursework. Currently, prison sentences are primarily a means of punishment. However, it is also necessary to offer rehabilitation to offenders who eventually will be reintroduced to society. These efforts will help to reduce recidivism by giving inmates the tools to be productive citizens.

These and other sentencing changes provisioned in House Bill 86 will improve Ohio’s budget outlook and positively reform our justice system, while tackling crime in innovative ways. As a father and grandfather, I understand the paramount importance of keeping your children and families safe. With House Bill 86, we have the unique opportunity to both increase this safety and address the state budget gap, two steps in the right direction.

In an effort to protect the unborn and ensure the welfare of young mothers, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 63 by a vote of 64-33, marking a significant step toward refining Ohio’s laws that pertain to abortion.

House Bill 63, which was jointly sponsored by State Representatives Lynn Slaby (R-Akron) and Ron Young (R-Leroy Twp.), would revise the process of judicial bypass under Ohio’s Parental Consent for Abortion statute. According to federal court rulings, parental consent statutes permit a minor who is seeking an abortion the option to bypass the parental consent requirements, provided that she is able convince a juvenile judge that she is mature enough to make an informed decision or that the abortion is in her best interest.

However, it has been reported that many judges rarely or never deny a bypass request, which raises the question as to whether the intent behind the process is blocked by a “rubber-stamp” approval procedure.

“A 2003 Akron Beacon Journal survey found a bypass approval rate of either 86 or 92 percent,” said Slaby, a former judge. “This statistic shows that the bypass process may be flawed and ineffective. We need to take every precaution to safeguard the well-being of Ohio’s young mothers and make sure that they are of sound mind when they make the life-changing decision to have an abortion.”

House Bill 63 addresses these concerns by requiring a minor who is seeking judicial bypass to prove her case with “clear and convincing evidence.” Additionally, the legislation requires the court to inquire as to the minor’s understanding of the possible physical and emotional complications of the abortion procedure and, if faced with such complications, how she would address and treat the situation.

Finally, House Bill 63 requires the court to inquire as to whether and to what extent the minor has been coached or prepared on answering questions and what testimony to give at the bypass hearing.

“The bypass process exists for a reason, and it is important that juvenile judges follow the law for the good of the most vulnerable of our society,” said Young. “I am pleased that we are one step closer to rectifying this issue through the passage of House Bill 63.”

House Bill 63 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

State Representative Bob Mecklenborg (R-Cincinnati) today introduced 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.

Under current law, when voting on Election Day, a voter may submit as proof of identification a 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.

“This is a long overdue, important first step toward securing the integrity of the electoral process,” Mecklenborg said. “This is necessary to make sure every legitimate vote is counted.”

The legislation directs the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to promulgate rules on providing free state IDs to individuals who qualify based on indigence. It also allows any person who objects for religious reasons to having their photograph taken to vote provisionally and sign an affidavit of religious objection at the Board of Elections.

“The issue of voter fraud has been a prominent issue in Ohio’s elections over the past few years, and I believe that this legislation is a vital step toward a more accountable, accurate elections process,” said House Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati), who is a joint sponsor of the bill.

Empirical data shows that photo identification has vast bipartisan support nationwide. A 2006 Wall Street Journal/NBC poll revealed that 81 percent of respondents nationwide supported photo identification requirements, compared with only 7 percent who opposed such a measure. Currently, eight states require voter photo identification, while legislation is currently pending in more than 20 other states. The “Ohio Fair and Secure Elections Act” borrows from Indiana and Georgia laws addressing voter identification, which have withstood constitutional scrutiny.

Mecklenborg said that this is one of many proposals that will be introduced by the Republican Caucus in the coming weeks to combat voter fraud and ensure a smooth, legal process for casting ballots. “Very shortly, we will be introducing a second bill dealing with many other aspects of the electoral process, including clarification of poll worker error and provisional ballots,” Mecklenborg said. “The second phase outlines a significant number of the reforms laid out by Secretary Husted recently, and we look forward to working with him on this issue.”

State Representative Tim Derickson (R-Hanover Twp.) recently attended Governor John Kasich’s signing of House Bill 89 into Ohio law. This legislation designates the second full week of March as Ohio Agriculture Week to honor the state’s agriculture community.

“As a dairy farmer in Butler County for many years, I have a sincere appreciation for Ohio agriculture,” said Derickson, who also serves as vice-chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “This legislation will recognize and celebrate the many contributions that Ohio’s agriculture communities make to enhance the quality of life not only in our state, but throughout the country.”

Among friends and family who were in attendance at the signing of House Bill 89 were Chairman of House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Dave Hall (R-Millersburg), Director of legislative relations for Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Chris Henney, and Director of Ohio Department of Agriculture Jim Zehringer.

“While it is important that we recognize the men and women who dedicate their lives to growing crops and livestock, it is of equal importance that we educate Ohio’s consumers regarding this important industry,” said Henney. “This legislation should help do both.”

“Agriculture is Ohio’s leading industry, generating some $98 billion per year from farm to dinner plate,” said Zehringer, “The Ohio Department of Agriculture applauds this legislation and Representative Derickson’s efforts to raise the profile of agriculture in Ohio.”

State Representative Al Landis (R-Dover) recently participated in a tour of the Stark Regional Community Correction Center (SRCCC) in order to gain a better understanding of the issues that Ohio’s correctional facilities are facing.

“I feel that it is important to not just see things as a line item in a budget,” Landis said. “I want to see not only the staff who our decisions will affect, but also their clients. Compare the costs of the 180-day maximum program versus the cost of housing a prisoner for a year, and there is a considerable cost savings to the taxpayers. And when you compare the effectiveness of this program versus prison, it appears that we have a much better chance of rehabilitating the individual in some areas.”

Located in Louisville, SRCCC serves both men and women in Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. It offers individual treatment plans, behavioral therapy, intensive chemical dependency treatment, educational classes and computer lab instruction, victim awareness, community service work, job placement services, parenting skills workshops and many other services.

Legislation to address prescription drug abuse and strengthen oversight measures passed from the Ohio House of Representatives by a unanimous vote of 97-0. The sponsors of House Bill 93, State Representatives Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Dave Burke (R-Marysville), introduced the bill in early February to combat the growing prevalence of prescription drug abuse and fatalities within the state of Ohio.

House Bill 93 will enhance the current Ohio Automated Rx Review System (OARRS)—which was established in 2006 to assist health care professionals in identifying drug-seeking behaviors—to provide additional oversight. It will also limit prescribers’ ability to personally furnish certain controlled substances; enact Medicaid reforms to improve consumer education and allow for better care coordination; improve licensing and law enforcement for pain-management clinics; and develop a statewide prescription drug “take-back” program.

“This is a great day for this legislative body, the state of Ohio, and the victims of prescription drug abuse and their families,” said Burke, a pharmacist and owner of Dave’s Pharmacy in Marysville. “Finally we have taken a monumental step toward strengthening our communities and building a solid structure for our public health policies.

Opiates alone were responsible for nearly 40 percent of Ohio’s approximately 1,400 overdose deaths in 2009, according to the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. From 2003 to 2008, opiate deaths in Ohio more than doubled in a jump from 399 to 915 fatalities, with an average of four Ohioans dying each day as a result of overdoses.

In Ohio, unintentional drug overdoses surpassed motor vehicle crashes and suicide as the leading cause of injury death in Ohio. It has also been reported that the highest rates in the state for these deaths are in southern Ohio, where seven of the 10 counties with the highest death rates are located.

“Ohio’s prescription drug abuse epidemic is quickly spreading throughout our homes and our communities,” said Johnson, an osteopathic physician and former Scioto County coroner. “Southern Ohio in particular has suffered a drastic rise in the number of fatalities as a result of prescription drug overdoses. I’m very pleased that this measure passed from the House with strong bipartisan support. Today saw a great step forward in the ongoing effort to rid Ohio of this scourge.”

House Bill 93 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration and debate.

At a press conference held at the Ohio Statehouse, State Representative Casey Kozlowski (R-Pierpont) heralded the passage of House Bill 36 from the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 92-5. The legislation would increase the number of calamity days that school districts are allocated annually.

House Bill 36 restores the number of excusable calamity days to five, which would take effect immediately and allow two additional calamity days for the remainder of the 2010-2011 school year. It will also allow schools the flexibility to make up calamity days by lengthening the school day in 30-minute increments.

“As a past president of the Pymatuning Valley Board of Education, I understand the importance of calamity days to a school year in northeast Ohio,” said Kozlowski, who serves on the House Education Committee. “More importantly, it is vital for school districts to have the freedom and ability to decide if it is safe to operate the buses, for parents to drive their children, or for children to walk to school. House Bill 36 accomplishes this goal.”

In the past, the first five calamity days of each school year were excused and school districts made up calamity days beyond the fifth. However, as a result of an amendment to House Bill 1 during the 128th General Assembly, only three calamity days are now excused beginning in the 2010-2011 school year, and many districts have already used all available calamity days because of recent snow storms.

“We live in a state with unpredictable snowy winters that often make it impossible to navigate the roads, particularly in the rural areas and around the lake region,” said State Representative John Carey (R-Wellston), who sponsored the bill with Kozlowski. “I’m pleased that this legislation gives schools more tools for their tool belts as they decide what is best for their students.”

House Bill 36 passed from the House Education Committee with unanimous bipartisan support and now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

The two months of 2011 have certainly been busy at the Statehouse. Senate legislation on collective bargaining has been the talk of the town—and the state, for that matter. But I also want bring to your attention a number of ways that the Ohio House of Representatives has recently been working to revitalize our state’s economy and create jobs for people like those in Fayette, Pickaway and Ross counties.

As your representative, my focus has been to put Ohioans back to work, spend our money efficiently and balance our state budget. From my first day in office, this has been my priority, and it will continue to be in the future. That’s why I’m proud of several bills that have been passed by the Ohio House this year.

One of the bills that will breathe life back into our state is House Bill 2, which will help to reduce wasteful government spending and ensure our government’s efficiency by requiring the Ohio auditor to carry out performance audits of certain state agencies on a biennial basis. By doing this, we can save taxpayer dollars and ensure that we do not face higher taxes and disorganized government in the future. This bill has gone to the Senate for further consideration.

Both chambers of the Legislature recently collaborated on legislation that will help small businesses, a true economic engine in the 85th House district. This legislation—Senate Bill 2 and its companion, House Bill 94—sets up a new procedure for evaluating rules and regulations from the state government that could potentially hurt these businesses. Overregulation is a job-killer in this state, and Senate Bill 2, which has now been put to law, ensures that the State of Ohio can be a business partner—not discourage these firms from growing in Ohio.

We also passed House Bill 58, which is estimated to save Ohio’s families and businesses approximately $48.5 million during the next three fiscal years. This legislation authorizes the “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.” It’s a two-year extension of federal tax cuts, and it extends benefits for unemployed Ohioans for up to an additional 20 weeks—benefitting nearly 160,000 Ohioans. In addition, it includes a provision to give a tax credit to businesses that receive offers to relocate to other states. I believe it is essential that we offer the incentives to keep jobs in the Buckeye state.

Keeping jobs here and making our state competitive is also why I’m excited about the creation of JobsOhio, which was enacted through House Bill 1—the first legislation the House passed this General Assembly. JobsOhio is a non-profit, private entity that is made up of business leaders who know how to create jobs and quickly address the problems our local businesses are facing in today’s economy. It will work in conjunction with the Department of Development, and I believe it will go a long way in keeping bureaucracy out of the way and simplifying the efforts of job creators in Ohio.

Make no mistake, our economy is still in a very delicate condition. However, I believe that this recent legislation will help to ensure that this state is moving in the right direction. I am looking forward to the Legislature taking even more action toward building a better Ohio by improving our business climate. As always, I welcome your ideas as to how this can be done. With the right solutions, Ohio can be the prosperous and competitive state that it once was.

State Representatives Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and Andy Thompson (R-Marietta) today gathered with other statewide leaders as Senate Bill 2, which establishes the Common Sense Initiative, was signed into law by Governor John Kasich.

Roegner and Thompson introduced companion legislation, House Bill 94, in the Ohio House of Representatives to reform Ohio’s regulatory environment and encourage business growth within the state. The Common Sense Initiative Office will weigh the cost versus the benefit of any given regulation in order to establish a business-friendly environment in Ohio. Senate Bill 2 will also require each agency to establish customer service standards and integrate them into operations and performance evaluations.

“One of the ways that the General Assembly can help the economy is to create a climate that is friendly and inviting to businesses,” Roegner said. “A key component to a friendly business climate is a regulatory environment that is well balanced and defined by common sense. I’m very pleased that Senate Bill 2 passed with strong bipartisan support for the people of Ohio.”

“Today was a great day for the state of Ohio,” said Thompson. “With Governor Kasich and our colleagues in the Senate, we are working to create jobs for our communities and help our small businesses succeed. This is just one of the many economy-focused initiatives that we will be pursuing over the coming months.”

State Representatives Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) and Andy Thompson (R-Marietta) today announced the passage of Senate Bill 2 from the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 81-14. This legislation—sponsored by Senator Jim Hughes (R-Clintonville)—is companion legislation to House Bill 94, which would adopt a new small business rule review procedure by defining a process of regulatory reform.

“I am very pleased that the Senate’s companion bill to legislation that Rep. Thompson and I introduced received such widespread support in the House,” said Roegner. “It is very encouraging that this legislative body is taking smart steps toward making Ohio’s government more conducive to businesses and economic growth.”

Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 94 outline the role of the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) Office, which was established through Governor John Kasich’s Executive Order 2011-01K to evaluate all regulations from any state governmental agency. The CSI Office will determine if a particular regulation has an adverse effect on businesses by assessing all new rules, while also reevaluating existing rules when they come up for periodic review.

“Promoting state policies that will encourage—not hinder—business expansion and job creation is one of the most important things we can accomplish during this General Assembly,” said Thompson. “As a small business owner, this continues to be one of my top priorities, and the passage of Senate Bill 2 is a vital step.”

Senate Bill 2 creates the CSI Office and a corresponding Small Business Advisory Council to advise the governor on the adverse impacts that proposed rules might have on small businesses. These functions, established under the Governor’s Office, consolidate existing areas of government and will require no additional state money to begin.

Senate Bill 2 now moves to the governor for his signature.

State Representative Lynn Slaby (R-Akron) recently was appointed by Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) to serve on two state councils that further Ohio’s public safety efforts and oversee appropriations for juvenile corrections programs.

Slaby will serve on the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS), which is a commission under the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. It maximizes public safety by facilitating the transfer of supervision services for offenders who are approved to reside and work in a territory other than where they were convicted.

Currently, parole boards, courts and probation agencies are not able to handle the planning for and supervision of parolees and probationers when they live outside the courts’ political boundaries. ICAOS permits eligible individuals to transfer to another state under the ICAOS system, while also enforcing policies to ensure compliance with federal and state law for the transfer of supervision across state lines.

“It is important that parolees have the ability to return to their homes or family support systems, and the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision will allow that to happen by providing the necessary oversights and public protections,” said Slaby.

Additionally, Slaby will serve on the RECLAIM (Reasoned and Equitable Community and Local Alternatives to the Incarceration of Minors) Advisory Committee, which allocates operational funds for county juvenile programs, institutional care and custody, community corrections facilities care and custody, and other related costs.

A component of the Department of Youth Services (DYS), the RECLAIM Ohio Initiative arose in response to a growing need for local alternatives for juvenile courts and overcrowding in DYS institutions. The program encourages juvenile courts to develop community-based options to meet the needs of young offenders, which has allowed the juveniles’ families to participate in their treatment and has reduced crowding in state institutions.

“The goal of RECLAIM Ohio is a noble one because family plays a very important role in the rehabilitation of young offenders,” Slaby said. “I am pleased to serve on both of these councils during the 129th General Assembly.”

House Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) announced today that the Republican Caucus has selected Christina M. Hagan of Alliance to replace former Rep. Todd Snitchler (R-Uniontown), who was appointed by Governor John Kasich to serve as chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Ms. Hagan was selected unanimously by the House Republican Caucus screening panel after the panel interviewed three candidates selected by the Stark County Republican Party. Ms. Hagan is the daughter of former State Representative John Hagan (R-Alliance) who served from 2000-2008.

“We are very fortunate to have someone like Christina Hagan in our caucus,” Speaker Batchelder said. “Her passion for serving the community and her philosophy of reducing government spending and helping bring jobs back to Ohio are qualities that we are eager to welcome into our caucus.”

Christina is currently finishing her collegiate career at Malone University with a degree in business administration. She is currently the head tennis coach at Marlington High School and is employed at a local restaurant in Jackson Township. Additionally, Ms. Hagan is a graduate of the JoAnn Davidson Leadership Institute, was a student of the University of Akron’s Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, and has been active in the Stark County Republican Party for many years.

Ms. Hagan will be sworn-in during House session on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

A lot has changed in this state since I first joined the Ohio Legislature in 1968. As I’ve worked for you and your family in Columbus, I have had a front-row seat to many of the legislative changes that have affected Ohioans in significant ways. Unfortunately, throughout the years I have also seen our state government become increasingly inefficient and, in many cases, embedded in the affairs of local governments.

It’s a sad thing to see a state that used to lead the nation in so many areas fall into a pattern of decline. But I returned to the House of Representatives to take action and find ways of improving our state, making it the trail-blazing beacon of success that it once was. As speaker of the Ohio House, I have the honor of guiding this fine institution in passing legislation that will help us create a prosperous tomorrow for future generations of Ohioans.

Creating jobs, making state government more accountable and empowering our citizens are certainly the priorities of this General Assembly. We are two months into the 129th Legislative session, and we have already gotten the ball rolling and the discussions and debates started.

For example, the House has passed a bill that alleviates our local school districts from some of the mandates imposed by the previous General Assembly, ensuring our local schools aren’t penalized for not spending dollars in a way the state has mandated they be spent. While these mandates were well intended, they put an added financial strain on the schools at a time when they have not a dime to spare.

The last thing we need is our state government forcing districts into budget imbalance when we haven’t even been able to get our own financial house in order. It is simply unnecessary and ends up harming our children. By eliminating many of these pricey requirements—including mandated all-day, every-day kindergarten—we are giving added flexibility to the teachers, school boards and community members who know their budget situations best.

The school regulations that passed during the previous General Assembly would not be nearly as troublesome if the state had the money to pay for them, but at this point, we must be saving all that we can. That’s why I am also in support of a bill to reduce government waste and make state spending more effective, which will ensure that our businesses and families do not suffer from unnecessarily high taxes and disorganized government down the road.

House Bill 2 requires that the Ohio Auditor of State conduct a performance audit of certain state agencies on a biennial basis, which will allow us to closely evaluate these agencies as a means of making sure that we are not wasting valuable tax dollars. Auditor Dave Yost is in support of the bill and has even volunteered that his own office be audited first. Through reviewing the operation of state agencies and the important services they deliver to the people of Ohio, we can ensure that these functions are being performed in the most cost-effective way so we can stretch our dollars further.

We must not allow Ohio to continue on a downward economic slope. By putting in place solutions such as reversing financially unmanageable mandates and auditing state agencies, we will gradually rebuild Ohio’s economy and empower families, which will secure a brighter tomorrow for our children. We have a lot to do but we have a great start.