Rep. Terry Johnson is featured on an episode of Ohio in Focus.

Having lived in Ohio all my life, I really enjoy the opportunity to travel around the state and see all that Ohio has to offer. Even as I drive back and forth from my home in Pierpont to the Statehouse in Columbus, it is easy to see the differences in Ohio’s landscape. This is why millions of Ohioans and those from out of state take the time to visit our state’s public lands every year.

In fact, the State of Ohio is the single largest landowner in the state. The problem is that we have not been using these lands to their full potential. By better managing these properties, we can avoid the funding problems we see today. One of the ways to do this is by leasing the lands for oil and gas production.

In an effort to take advantage of these natural treasures, where the resources are found within nature, House Bill 133—which was just passed by the House—creates the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission. This commission will act as an advocate of the people of Ohio, ensuring that public land managers have the authority to approve the development of their lands. It is also in the best interest of Ohio that they can control the property, acting alongside the state and federal government.

I support this legislation because it is fundamentally about our state helping itself, rather than increasing the tax burden on more of its citizens. Through the bill, the procedures for the state entering into leases are laid out for oil and gas production on land owned or under control of a state agency. Doing this will provide additional funding for expenses like equipment, renovations and repairs.

What’s even more important to me is that this legislation will benefit the people of Ashtabula and Trumbull counties by watching out for the middle class. Certainly we are aware that when gas prices rise it hurts, and so do other prices—such as food—because of the cost of transporting those items to our local communities. When families are already having a difficult time putting food on the table, there is no reason we should be hindering ourselves by not tapping into what is right under our noses.

By developing these natural resources, Ohio can increase the use of its manufacturing base, meaning more investment in our local economies and more jobs for our citizens. In a place already economically hard-hit, we must be doing everything we can to ensure that we do not face this disadvantage.

Solutions and results do not come over night, but we must continue to work toward them. Passing this legislation is one more step along the way.

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

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

The Ohio House of Representatives today voted to pass Substitute House Bill 133, which would responsibly develop Ohio’s energy sector while creating jobs and boosting economic development in Ohio.

Specifically, Sub. H.B. 133 asserts that it is the policy of the state to provide access to and support the exploration for, development of, and production of oil and natural gas resources on lands that are owned or controlled by the state. It creates the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission and establishes a procedure by which the commission may enter into leases for oil and gas production on land owned by or under the control of a state agency. These leases would serve to provide additional funding for capital costs, including equipment, renovations and repairs, and acquisition of additional lands.

The Ohio House adopted a Republican amendment to Sub. H.B. 133 that would exclude nature preserves from being nominated or leased for the purpose of developing oil and natural gas resources.

“This bill is fundamentally about the State of Ohio doing something to help its economy without increasing the tax burden on its citizens,” said State Representative John Adams (R-Sidney), who sponsored Sub. H.B. 133. “We need to be taking advantage of the resources we have right here at home in a responsible way, so we can create jobs and generate more economic activity in Ohio.”

“Not only is Ohio trapped in serious fiscal constraints, but Ohioans are also suffering extraordinarily high gas prices that make it difficult for them to drive to work, pick up the kids from school and live their day-to-day lives,” said State Representative Dave Hall (R-Millersburg), the chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. “Ohio’s consumers will all benefit from an increased local energy supply, which will help to reduce overall energy and transportation costs. We cannot miss out on this opportunity to bring jobs, economic growth and lower energy prices to Ohio.”

Currently, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has a backlog of more than half a billion dollars in capital improvements in state parks. This legislation would help to provide funding for these projects and ensure that Ohio’s state parks are protected and remain open to the public.

The House Democrats, despite Rep. Debbie Phillips’ claim that the caucus’s opposition to the bill has nothing to do with drilling but is instead based on the integrity of state parks, offered an amendment through Rep. Denise Driehaus to prohibit energy extraction on any state-owned land—not just state parks. In overreaching the intent of this bill, the House minority caucus has shown that they are disingenuous about their reasons for opposing Sub. H.B. 133 and are politicizing what should be a focus on jobs and modernizing Ohio’s economy.

Sub. H.B. 133 has received the support of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. It passed by a vote of 54-41 and will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.





State Representative Mike Henne (R-Clayton) today presented a House resolution to Dixie High School senior Ethan Hayes during a session of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Hayes is the state wrestling champion in the Division III, 215 lb weight class and finished his senior season with a record of 52-0. He was also the state champion as a junior, with a record of 50-2 in 2010.

“As a member of the 36th district, I was honored to present Ethan, one of the best athletes in the state, to the House assembly,” Henne said. “His undefeated record is truly impressive and I wish him the best of luck as he continues his wrestling career.”

Hayes will be attending the University of Virginia on a full-ride wrestling scholarship.

During today’s hearing of the House State Government and Elections Committee, State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) testified via Skype from Tokyo, Japan in support of House Bill 224, legislation that would implement changes to Ohio’s Uniform Military and Overseas Voting law.

Dovilla, who is currently on active duty at Yokota Air Base as part of his commitment to the U.S. Navy Reserve, sponsored H.B. 224 to protect the ability of Ohio’s military and overseas voters to make their voices heard in elections. This is the first time in the history of the Ohio House that a sitting representative has testified from across the world via Skype before a committee.

“Each May, we recognize on Armed Forces Day those who serve the nation in our military and remember on Memorial Day those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our republic,” Dovilla said. “Today, in addition to recognizing and remembering, we respect with this legislation their ability to participate in one of our most important civic duties as Americans: the right and responsibility to vote.”

Specifically, House Bill 224 will permit a uniformed services or overseas voter to apply for an absentee ballot by e-mail or, if offered by the board of elections, through Internet delivery; require boards of elections to accept and process federal write-in absentee ballots for all elections for federal, state or local office and for all ballot questions and issues; establish an emergency process for uniformed services and overseas voters to cast a ballot if an international, national, state or local emergency arises that makes substantial compliance with the federal absent voting law impossible or impracticable; and permit a uniformed services or overseas voter to use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot to apply to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot.

“During my deployment to Iraq in 2007, I fell victim to the current process for military and overseas voting when, through no fault of my own and despite a proactive effort to obtain a ballot, I was disenfranchised in that year’s municipal elections,” Dovilla said. “Since that time, I have vowed that if I were ever in a position to be able to address this public policy challenge and prevent it from happening to others serving in uniform overseas, I would do so. I am pleased to be able to have such broad bipartisan support from all over the State of Ohio as we introduce this bill to help move our election processes forward for those who serve on the front lines in faraway lands.”

State Representative Andy Brenner (R-Delaware) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 96, which specifies dyslexia as a specific learning disability and will establish a pilot project to provide early screening and intervention services for children with dyslexia.

House Bill 96 compels the superintendent of public instruction to administer the pilot project through voluntary partnerships among school districts and regional public libraries. The state superintendent will evaluate the project and report results to the General Assembly. Additionally, the bill specifies in state law that dyslexia is a learning disability for which a child may receive special education services.

“Dyslexia is a very unique handicap because those with it are hard to identify at a young age,” Brenner said. “However, for the child, the school and our community, there are enormous costs associated with not identifying dyslexia early. This project furthers the mission of our schools to provide each individual child the education they need and implements an extraordinary cost-preventive measure.”

During the previous General Assembly, this measure was sponsored by Speaker of the House William G. Batchelder in an effort to more effectively educate children with dyslexia and raise awareness about the disorder. “I’m pleased to see this legislation pass with strong bipartisan support, because it will positively affect these individuals with dyslexia and their families,” he said.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission, any costs incurred through the enactment of this legislation would be voluntarily acquired by school districts and regional libraries that choose to participate in the pilot project. These costs may be offset by funding provided by the Ohio Department of Education and by any private or non-state funds that the ODE is able to obtain to support the project.

House Bill 96 passed by a vote of 93-1 and will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

In response to a May 23rd Wall Street Journal editorial by Kansas Secretary of State Kris W. Kobach titled “The Case for Voter ID,” Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) has released the following statement:

“The ability of citizens to cast their votes and make their voices heard is a hallmark of the democratic process, one that legislators must continue to uphold today. And just like the Ohio legislature, state legislatures in Kansas, Georgia, Texas, Indiana, Wisconsin and others are working on strengthening their states’ voter identification laws to protect elections from being diluted or manipulated. I appreciate that other states are moving forward on legislation similar to Ohio’s House Bill 159 in a cooperative, bipartisan manner, and I hope to see this bill gain support from the Ohio Senate, Ohio’s Secretary of State, and Ohio’s Democrats who believe that Election Day loopholes and dishonest voting practices should be rectified. The sanctity and security of our voting process is crucial to public confidence in our election system.”

Chairman of the House State Government and Elections Committee Bob Mecklenborg (R-Green Twp.) has released the following statement:

“I am pleased to see that other states are taking action on this important issue. Photo identification is necessary for so many other aspects of life, and I believe that utilizing a photo ID for voting purposes will cause no undue burden on voters. The only goal of House Bill 159 is to ensure the integrity and security of our elections and bring our Election Day laws into the 21st century.”

05.23.11WSJ_The Case for Voter ID

State Representatives Courtney Combs (R-Hamilton) and Joe Uecker (R-Loveland) today held a press conference to unveil a resolution designating the Honor and Remember Flag as Ohio’s emblem representing the sacrifice of those in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Honor and Remember Flag recognizes all individuals who have died as a result of serving in the U.S. military, acting as a symbol of national gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the nation’s freedom and prosperity. It also serves to help recognize military families who have suffered the loss of a loved one.

“This legislation will ensure that those who have given their lives for our country will truly be remembered,” said Combs. “As we approach Memorial Day, we felt it was appropriate to take steps to honor our fallen military members by drafting and introducing this resolution as just one way of showing our gratitude.”

“It is long overdue that we support a national symbol that pays tribute to those who have died while protecting their families and neighbors back home,” Uecker said. “I’m honored to sponsor this bill with Rep. Combs and bring Ohio one step closer to recognizing the dedication and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.”

The goal of the resolution is to establish the Honor and Remember Flag as a permanent, officially sanctioned symbol to fly continuously in remembrance of fallen military servicemen and women. It differs from the Gold Star Service Flag because it allows all Ohioans the opportunity to show their respect for those who gave their lives for their nation, as opposed to the Gold Star Service Flag that is reserved for military families.

As the month of May winds down, Americans across the nation and overseas will soon be observing Memorial Day. On May 30th, we all have the opportunity to honor our fallen military heroes. These courageous individuals gave their lives in service to our country so that we can continue to live in a nation built on the ideals of democracy and freedom. Through their ultimate sacrifice, our servicemen and women have safeguarded the fundamental rights that we enjoy today. From the deserts of Afghanistan to the shores of Normandy, our military members have given of themselves to ensure that the rest of us can live in freedom.

Each time I walk into the Statehouse, I could not be prouder to represent Ohioans and the democratic values that we all so cherish. I am extremely humbled when I remember that my representation is only possible because of the men and women who lost their lives defending our liberty. Our government by the people and for the people relies on the selflessness and bravery of those in all of our military branches. This Memorial Day, we can express our gratitude by honoring these fallen soldiers from throughout history.

Sometimes it seems that there is no adequate way to recognize the monumental sacrifice of these young men and women. While we can hold vigils and reflect upon lives taken too soon, there are simple ways in which we can honor them, not just on Memorial Day, but throughout the year. While we will not be able to match the magnitude of their actions, we can preserve their legacy by exercising our rights as Americans.

The small act of casting a vote or attending a town hall meeting can show our appreciation and respect. Through civic engagement, we can uphold American democracy. These simple actions display pride and respect for the armed forces lost in combat. By becoming involved in our communities, we are acknowledging the importance and gravity of our hard-won freedoms.

In this patchwork country filled with diversity, there are many ways to show our patriotism. From Nevada to New York to our own state of Ohio, we celebrate our American heritage with different traditions. However, on May 30th, every American shares a common national tradition in observing Memorial Day. There is no greater way to express your love of democracy than by honoring our courageous fallen soldiers. Please join me and our community in paying tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedom.

In response to the news that American Greetings will be moving its corporate headquarters to Westlake, State Representative Nan Baker released the following statement:

“I am excited and pleased that one of Ohio’s key employers, American Greetings, will soon be bringing 2,000 jobs to the 16th District. I know firsthand that Westlake has consistently strived to promote a competitive, business-friendly economic climate to encourage local job creation. Not only have we succeeded in retaining American Greetings within Ohio through the passage of House Bill 58, but American Greetings will also be better positioned for future growth and investment through this relocation.

“As chairwoman of the House Small Business and Economic Development Committee and a longtime resident of Westlake, this opportunity to foster economic development in Cuyahoga County is especially important to me. As I continue to say, ‘It’s All About Jobs!’”

Rep. Anne Gonzales is featured on Ohio in Focus.

Rep. Bob Peterson is featured on Ohio in Focus.

Following the announcement that State Representative Bill Coley (R-West Chester) has been recommended to replace Senator Gary Cates in Senate District 4, Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) has released the following statement:

“Rep. Coley has been a faithful, honorable servant of the people of Ohio and it has truly been a pleasure to serve with him in the House. He has served the 55th District with great distinction and I wish him well in his new position in the Senate.”

Speaker Batchelder and the House Republican Caucus will outline a process for filling the 55th District vacancy in the near future.

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed a comprehensive set of reforms designed to modernize the elections process, streamline operations and reduce costs for local boards of elections. Additionally, House Bill 194 will eliminate what is known as “Golden Week,” help to verify the accuracy of voter rolls, improve the verification process for valid provisional and absentee ballots, and set statewide standards to absentee voting.

“It is important that as lawmakers, we keep the integrity of the democratic process paramount in our minds and in our work here in Columbus,” said Chairman of the State Government and Elections Committee Bob Mecklenborg, who sponsored the bill. “House Bill 194 improves many aspects of voter law in Ohio and makes certain that our Election Day procedures are more convenient, accountable and cost-effective for the taxpayers.”

House Bill 194 includes the following provisions and many others:
• Allowing the creation of a top-down voter registration database and sharing of information from other state agencies to ensure the accuracy of voter registration rolls
• Allowing online change of address by registered voters
• Authorizing the certification and use of electronic poll books
• Simplifying the provisional voting process
• Ensuring statewide uniformity for the issuance of absentee voting applications, absentee voting locations, and time periods
• Clarifying poll worker error

House Bill 194 also strives to increase voter accessibility by making Ohio law consistent with ADA ramp requirements for Ohioans with disabilities, eliminating the need for duplicate forms by allowing a provisional voter to use the affirmation form for change of name or address, and reduces the number of reasons why a voter may be required to cast a provisional ballot, among other measures.

“I could not be more satisfied with the hard work of the committee in considering this legislation and with the House’s support of this important bill,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati). “We took an important step toward improving our elections process in Ohio and saving valuable tax dollars.”

The legislation will now move to the Ohio Senate, where it will undergo further consideration.

State Representatives Dave Burke (R-Marysville) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) have announced that the Ohio House of Representatives has voted to accept Senate changes to House Bill 93—which will combat prescription drug abuse and reduce the widespread prevalence of “pill mills.”

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.

“I’m very pleased that we have passed House Bill 93 and are one step closer to putting a stop to this epidemic,” said Rep. Johnson, a physician and former Scioto County coroner. “We have an opportunity to close some of the loopholes that have caused many of our neighbors, friends or family members to fall victim to prescription drug abuse and related death.”

“As a pharmacist, the issue of prescription drug deaths is especially urgent to me,” said Rep. Burke. “We’re talking about people’s lives and the emotional toll prescription drug abuse takes on their loved ones. House Bill 93 is a necessary step in the right direction.”

Among Senate changes to House Bill 93 are modifications to the definition of “pain management clinic,” delay on the prohibition on pain management operation without a license by 30 days, and permission for the Bureau of Works Compensation to access OARRS, among other additions.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the country and the second-most common form of illicit drug abuse among teenagers in the U.S., second only to marijuana.

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.

House Bill 93 passed unanimously and will now move to Governor Kasich for his signature.

State Representatives John Adams (R-Sidney) and Dave Hall (R-Millersburg) today announced the introduction of Substitute House Bill 133 in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. The substitute bill encompasses positive changes to the legislation that will create the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission and will establish a procedure by which the commission may enter into leases for oil and gas production on land owned or under the control of a state agency for the purpose of providing funding for capital improvements for the agency.

“Ohio is currently in the midst of experiencing an economic downturn,” said Representative Adams, the sponsor of the legislation. “While we are in the process of closing an estimated $8 billion budget shortfall, Ohio must find proactive solutions to provide the state additional revenues. State lands leasing would also create new jobs for Ohio workers and new economic opportunities for Ohio businesses.”

After numerous committee meetings and hours of testimony, stakeholders worked tirelessly to address issues that arose since the introduction of the legislation. Some of the changes include a system in which each state-owned land will be classified into a category, which will assist the state agency and the commission with properly determining which lands will be most suitable for oil and gas leasing.

Sub. House Bill 133 will maintain its efforts to provide funding for our state agencies to assist in capital costs, which include equipment, renovations and repairs of facilities, and acquisition of additional lands.

“It’s important to note that this substitute bill is a refined version of H.B. 133,” said Representative Dave Hall, Chairman of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. “We’ve implemented substantial improvements and safeguards that will benefit Ohioans. Most notably, the Oil and Gas Leasing Commission will act as an advocate of the people. With regard to leasing, this substitute bill ensures that public land managers retain the authority to approve the development of their respective lands. It is imperative and in the best interest of Ohio that these managers control their property in coordination with the state and federal government.”

Sub. House Bill 133 will now undergo extensive consideration in committee.

Lawmakers should arm military members with voting, custody rights

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 03:06 AM

Ohioans fighting overseas for America's freedoms are making considerable sacrifices already, so two laws under consideration at the Statehouse are much needed to secure their voting and child-custody rights.

The first bill would remove barriers to getting an absentee ballot and having it count. While members of the military are more likely to register to vote, they're far more likely to have their long-distance efforts thwarted.

The second bill would protect military parents from having custody arrangements altered while they are overseas. The law also aims to help deployed parents stay in touch with their children, accommodating visits during leaves and letting a close adult - a grandparent, for example - to fill in for them while away. It also would allow the military parent to participate in custody and visitation proceedings using electronic means.

The nation is now at war on three fronts. Ohio owes its sons and daughters these protections. Service members defending their countrymen's democratic rights should never be denied their own.

"Members of our military are being forced to choose between serving our nation and raising a family," said Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, who is sponsoring House Bill 121, the military custody-rights act.

The current law allows courts to take into consideration a parent's active military service when changing custody orders. The new law would forbid this.

While the welfare of the child always should be the top consideration, military parents deserve some protections. It's important for America's military to be able to focus on missions, undistracted by personal problems. This law, passed unanimously by the House on Tuesday, offers assurance that family bonds will be honored and preserved.

The second proposed law, House Bill 224, comes from bitter experience. In 2007, Mike Dovilla was deployed with the Navy to Iraq and wanted to vote in the local election.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections never got him an absentee ballot, having rejected his application as incomplete. By the time letters flew back and forth , the election was over.

He vowed if he was ever in a position to prevent this from happening to someone else, he would. Dovilla is now a Republican state representative from Berea, and he's teamed up with a Columbus Democrat who also knows the problem first-hand: Michael Stinziano, a past director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

The House is considering other voting reforms, but Dovilla and Stinziano believe the military issues deserved their own bill, as problems are well-documented.

In 2010, Ohio had 1.1 million absentee voters. The return rate for voted ballots from members of the military was half that of the general public - 45 percent compared with 93 percent.

And military votes are less likely to be counted, either because the voted ballots arrive late or lack identifying information. In the 2008 presidential election, boards rejected one in 15 military ballots nationally, compared to one in 50 for other absentee voters.

Those abroad face slow mail, frequent changes in address and challenges meeting notarization or verification requirements.

Dovilla and Stinziano's bill, introduced Tuesday, would permit voters outside the United States to apply online for absentee ballots. Voters would be able to register at the same time, eliminating another delay.

Both laws appeal to common-sense and fairness.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2011/05/17/protecting-the-military.html?sid=101

State Representative Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) was recently presented the 2011 Public Service Award by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Columbus Affiliate.

The award recognizes Grossman’s leadership on breast cancer issues, particularly the importance of promoting early detection and screenings. She has engaged in site visits to Komen grantees to learn more about the critical screening services that are funded through state programs and proceeds from events such as the Race for the Cure.

“I am humbled and grateful to receive this award. It was phenomenal to see more than 50,000 participants with the Komen Race for the Cure sharing such incredible support for each other. I feel very strongly that through the efforts of many, we will soon see a cure for this horrible disease,” Rep. Grossman said.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Columbus Affiliate serves 30 counties in central and southeastern Ohio with grants and direct support for breast cancer education activities, early detection and prevention programs, treatment assistance and counseling services.

Rep. Mike Dovilla is featured on Ohio in Focus.

Every day, hundreds of thousands of nurses wake up and go to work without knowing what the day has in store. However, whether it is something as life-threatening as a heart attack or as simple as a child’s scraped knee, it is guaranteed that compassion, commitment, and tireless effort will be given to the patient. This is the essence of what it means to be nurse and why they are so valuable to our communities—regardless of the situation, doctors and patients alike can always rely on them to get the job done.

Nurses are the backbone of our nation’s medical system, yet their job is often done without thanks. That is why we celebrate National Nurses Week every year from May 6th to May 12th. Beginning on RN Recognition Day and ending on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, National Nurses Week gives us all an opportunity to thank nurses for their constant compassion and dedication to our well-being. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating them.

Nurses are present in every part of our communities’ healthcare systems, providing support and expertise wherever they are stationed. Here in House District 19, we see nurses not only in our hospitals but in our nursing homes, schools, and other public facilities ready to respond to any medical emergency. Their constant presence is necessary to making our healthcare system as seamless and effective as it has become today.

That is why State Representative Terry Johnson and I recently presented a resolution on the House floor to officially recognize National Nurses Week in the state of Ohio. Paula Anderson, president of the board of the Ohio Nurses Association, accepted it on behalf of our state’s nurses. This shows just how we can all come together as one to recognize nurses and thank them for the compassion and dedication they show every day.

There are nearly 3.1 million registered nurses and more than 240,000 advanced practice nurses employed in the U.S. today, making nursing the largest healthcare profession. With nurses playing such a visible and essential role in our medical system, I feel passionately about officially recognizing them for their hard work and dedication.

As we go about our daily lives during Nurses Week and throughout the month, I challenge us all to keep the unending service and dedication of nurses in our hearts and minds. Whether taking care of a loved one or providing guidance and care in the emergency room, nurses have affected all of our lives in some way.

Nurses have been ever-present since the founding of modern nursing by Florence Nightingale, always there to guide us through the maze of the world of medicine. I hope we can all continue to join together and honor our communities’ nurses as one.

Today, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation that allows for restoration of gun ownership rights under certain conditions, which would bring Ohio into compliance with a recent Supreme Court/BATFE ruling that states that to restore gun ownership rights for someone under firearm disability, there must be a complete restoration.

House Bill 54 expands the categories of those who may apply for relief from a disability against acquiring, having, carrying or using any firearm so that any person who is prohibited from acquiring, having, carrying or using firearms may apply for relief.

“I’m pleased that House Bill 54 passed from the House because it will successfully bring Ohio’s gun ownership laws in line with federal law,” said Rep. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon), who jointly sponsored the legislation with Rep. Jarrod Martin (R-Beavercreek). “This is a necessary measure for those individuals who have been unintentionally breaking the law due to the recent Supreme Court ruling. It’s important that our gun laws here in Ohio reflect those at the national level.”

“This bill upholds our rights as citizens to safely and responsibly exercise our Second Amendment rights,” said Martin. “It’s very satisfying to be able to work on this bill and a wide breadth of different issues as we improve the quality of life in Ohio.”

House Bill 54 passed by a vote of 78-18 and will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed legislation to amend Ohio’s concealed carry laws to make them simpler and consistent with other states.

Specifically, House Bill 45—which was jointly sponsored by State Representatives Danny Bubp (R-West Union) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott)—will simplify the provisions related to the carrying of firearms in vehicles by eliminating the “micromanaging” provisions that dictate where a gun must be stored in a vehicle, which allows law-abiding citizens to avoid accidental violations. It retains the current procedures that are followed when a licensee is pulled over and approached by a law enforcement official.

The legislation would also permit license holders to carry in establishments that serve alcohol provided that the individual is not consuming alcohol. It does not change the current law prohibiting an individual from possessing a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Establishments would still have the authority to prohibit concealed carry.

“House Bill 45 is a responsible way to allow Ohioans to keep themselves and their families safe, while also ensuring that our laws respect our Constitutional rights,” Johnson said.

In addition to simplifying existing concealed carry laws, House Bill 45 will bring Ohio’s carry regulations in line with most other states’ regulations. According to the Buckeye Firearms Association, of the 48 states that issue concealed carry licenses, 42 allow licensees to carry in restaurants as long as they are not drinking.

“Ohio’s responsible, law-abiding gun owners should not be penalized with stricter regulations than gun owners of any other state,” said Bubp. “I am pleased that this legislation has passed the House and is one step closer toward protecting our Second Amendment rights.”

This legislation was originally introduced during the previous General Assembly as Senate Bill 239, which received the support of the National Rifle Association, the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

House Bill 45 will now move to the Ohio Senate, where it will undergo further consideration.

In response to inaccurate Democrat assertions regarding Substitute House Bill 194—which will modernize Ohio’s elections process, streamline operations and reduce costs for local boards of elections—State Representative Bob Mecklenborg (R-Cincinnati) released the following statement:

“Substitute House Bill 194 is a comprehensive, sweeping set of reforms that will bolster honest democracy and improve voter access for Ohioans. As the sponsor of this bill and as the chairman of the House State Government and Elections Committee, I have taken special care to look closely at our current elections process and ensure that our system does not waste tax dollars, create loopholes or disenfranchise voters.

“As expected, there will be some naysayers who will attempt to twist and mischaracterize this bill into something it’s not. The politics of distraction have continued to scream from the sidelines on many good, common-sense bills that have passed during this General Assembly, despite the necessity that we constantly reexamine our laws, improve them and strive to do better.

“There is no reason why we should settle for ‘good enough,’ especially when the integrity of the democratic process is at stake. I’m proud of what House Bill 194 has the potential to accomplish, and I look forward to continuing this conversation with my colleagues who are open to a constructive, honest discussion.”

Sub. H.B. 194 strives to increase voter accessibility by making Ohio law consistent with ADA ramp requirements for Ohioans with disabilities, eliminating the need for duplicate forms by allowing a provisional voter to use the affirmation form for change of name or address, and reduces the number of reasons why a voter may be required to cast a provisional ballot, among other measures.

It also adopts many of the Secretary of State’s recommendations to improve voter efficiency and ensure the integrity of voter rolls. Additionally, it simplifies and cuts down on provisional ballots, allows individuals to change registration online, retains no-fault absentee voting, and allows the process to begin for electronic poll books.

At a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse, State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) today unveiled legislation to implement changes to Ohio’s Uniform Military and Overseas Voting law to make it more accurately reflect recommendations made by the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

“As a U.S. Navy veteran, it is particularly important to me that we ensure our men and women in uniform have a voice in elections while serving overseas,” Dovilla said. “I’m pleased and honored to have an opportunity to sponsor legislation that safeguards this civic right and responsibility.”

Specifically, this legislation will permit a uniformed services or overseas voter to apply for an absentee ballot by e-mail or, if offered by the board of elections, through Internet delivery; require boards of elections to accept and process federal write-in absentee ballots for all elections for federal, state or local office and for all ballot questions and issues; establish an emergency process for uniformed services and overseas voters to cast a ballot if an international, national, state or local emergency arises that makes substantial compliance with the federal absent voting law impossible or impracticable; and permit a uniformed services or overseas voter to use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot to apply to register to vote simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot.

“This is just one of the ways we can honor the military members within our communities,” said Dovilla. “While these brave individuals are protecting our country and our families around the globe, we have a duty to protect their ability to vote. Their willingness to defend our freedoms - including at the ballot box - only underscores the importance of this effort to allow their voices to be heard in each and every election.”

This legislation enjoys bipartisan support, with Rep. Michael Stinziano (D-Columbus) jointly sponsoring the bill with Rep. Dovilla. It will soon be assigned to a House committee where it will undergo further consideration and debate.

State Representative Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) has announced that House Bill 121 today passed from the Ohio House of Representatives with a unanimous vote of 96-0. This legislation would ensure that an existing custody order for the child of a parent actively serving in the military cannot be altered on the solely because of that parent’s military service.

“The passage of this legislation shows that the Ohio House believes the best interests of a service member’s child should be paramount when it comes to deciding custody arrangements,” Rep. Rosenberger said. “A parent’s absence because of military service should never be the sole criteria for a loss of custody or diminished visitation rights.”

House Bill 121 prohibits a court from finding that past, present or possible future active military service justifies the modification of an existing custody order. It also requires that a service member seeking a temporary parenting time order notifies the child’s other parent and applies to the court as soon as reasonably possible with the date that the active service starts.

“Under current law, a court is specifically allowed to determine child custody agreements based on a parent’s active military service, and this shouldn’t be the case,” Rep. Rosenberger said. “Having served in the Air National Guard, I firmly believe that the men and women protecting this country should no longer be penalized for answering the call to serve.”

Under the legislation, the temporary custody order based on a parent’s active military service will be terminated within 10 days of notice that the active military service has ended. While serving, the court may grant a parent on active service a temporary order that allows for a relative or other person who has a substantial relationship with the child to take over that parent’s visitation rights.

House Bill 121 will now move to the Ohio Senate for further debate and consideration.

State Representative Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville) and State Representative Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) today presented a House resolution on the floor of the chamber to honor the service of Ohio’ nurses throughout the state.

The resolution, which also recognizes National Nurses Week in Ohio, was presented to Paula Anderson, who is president of the board of the Ohio Nurses Association. National Nurses Week lasts from May 6th through May 12th, starting on National Nurses Day and ending on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is the founder of modern nursing.

“Nurses are committed to patient safety, preventing patient suffering, providing quality care, and comforting patients and their families,” Rep. Gonzales said. “For all they do for Ohio’s citizens, I am pleased to present this resolution.”

The resolution is a way of honoring the more than 3.1 million registered nurses nationwide, including more than 160,000 who hold a license to practice in Ohio.

“As a doctor, I certainly appreciate what nurses do for our communities,” Rep. Johnson said. “From a scrape on the knee to very life-threatening situations, they are on the front lines caring for us. And they should be honored for this service.”

Kasich and House put Ohio on sustainable path after predecessors failed

Sunday, May 8, 2011 03:15 AM

Considering the budget nightmare facing Gov. John Kasich and the legislature, the measure passed by the House last week is a remarkable achievement.

An $8 billion budget hole has been eliminated, and though the pain of cuts will felt throughout the state, Ohio will be on a sounder fiscal footing in two years when the next biennial budget is put together.

Equally remarkable - in a negative way - are those who slam this achievement. That's because some of them had a hand in digging the hole from which Kasich is trying to pull the state.

Former House speaker and now House Minority Leader Armond Budish criticizes the painful cuts included in Kasich's budget proposal.

But those cuts are necessary precisely because Budish and former Gov. Ted Strickland didn't do their job - truly balancing the state's budget - when they controlled the governor's office and the House two years ago.

Faced with a vast gulf between revenue and what they wanted to spend, Budish and Strickland should have been the ones making budget cuts in the 2010-11 budget.

Instead, they papered over the shortfall by grasping at every accounting trick and one-time revenue source available - and, in the stimulus-fueled environment, there were plenty - to avoid the fundamental restructuring that Ohio's budget needed.

That left their successors with an $8 billion time bomb.

Kasich and House Republicans deserve immense credit for producing a budget proposal that deals with that reality rather than finding yet another way to put it off.

Budish disagrees with Kasich's priorities, he says. When he was speaker of the House, Budish had every opportunity - the duty, in fact - to set the priorities he now claims to stand for.

Had he led a charge to reset government spending to align with the resources available, he could have influenced the future more to his liking. He didn't.

Budget cuts will impel governments at all levels to streamline and find innovative approaches to delivering the services.

Kasich has attempted to offer solutions along with the pain, by giving local governments more control over payrolls through collective-bargaining reform and encouraging long-overdue reform of public-construction bidding practices.

While this is a difficult time to hold public office, it also is a transformative and historic time, bringing with it the opportunity to shape a more sustainable relationship between taxpayers and the government they support.

Dealing with hard problems instead of kicking them down the road is leadership.

Budish's too-late carping adds nothing to the effort and sheds glaring light on his own negligence.

The Ohio Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (Ohio ACOFP) presented its annual Family Physician of the Year award to State Rep. Terry A. Johnson, DO, of Portsmouth, during a special luncheon, April 30, 2011, at the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium. The event was held at the Columbus Hilton at Easton, with some 500 physicians and other guests in attendance.

Dr. Johnson is the first osteopathic physician (DO) to ever serve in the Ohio General Assembly and believed to be the first Ohio physician to be elected to a state office since the 1930s.

“His election was historic for the entire osteopathic profession,”
said Ohio ACOFP President Ioanna Z. Giatis, DO, who made the presentation. “And we are extremely proud of Terry. But more than that, we are proud of his work as a family physician.”

Dr. Johnson has a long list of accomplishments and experience. He serves as family practice residency director at Southern Ohio Medical Center; clinical associate professor for Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he received his degree; assistant dean for the Centers for Osteopathic Research & Education; and Scioto County coroner.

A veteran of the Guard for more than 20 years, he was deployed three times in the Global War on Terror, twice to Iraq. He serves as a colonel in the National Guard; senior Army flight surgeon; past commander of the Ohio Army National Guard Medical Detachment; and is currently Joint Forces and Army State Surgeon for the Ohio Guard, giving him ultimate responsibility for all medical operations in the Ohio Guard, both Army and Air. In addition, he has led humanitarian medical missions to Panama and Ecuador.

“In addition to his strong commitment to patient care, Dr. Johnson is a true ambassador for osteopathic medicine,” Dr. Giatis said. “He is highly regarded by his patients, by his community, and by his peers at the Ohio Statehouse.”

Based in Columbus, Ohio ACOFP was founded in 1952. It is a statewide organization with a mission to promote excellence in osteopathic family medicine through quality education, visionary leadership, and responsible advocacy.

There are two complete schools of medicine in the United States.

Osteopathic colleges award the DO degree, while allopathic colleges award the MD degree. Both DOs and MDs are fully licensed to practice medicine and surgery and both obtain licenses under the same procedure as administered by the Ohio State Medical Board. Osteopathic physicians utilize all scientifically accepted methods of diagnosis and treatment, including drugs and surgery, and have additional training in recognizing the relationship of body structure to body function. In Ohio, 12 percent of all physicians are DOs. Of family physicians in the state, 26 percent are DOs.

As members of the Ohio House of Representatives descended upon Columbus from their constituencies in every corner of the state this year, we did so knowing that one of our largest and most difficult tasks as legislators would be to construct a state operating budget that would pull us out of Ohio’s gaping budget hole and set us on a path toward fiscally sound economic practices. Otherwise, it was bankruptcy. This was the time—and on Day One it had to be about job creation and reducing Ohioans’ tax burden.

No matter how you slice it, rectifying a structural deficit of $8 billion due to one-time funds used for ongoing expenses is going to be hard. A budget like that requires careful analysis, thoughtful consideration and a great team of people working together on it.

For this reason, I am tremendously proud of Representative Ron Amstutz, chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, for leading this house—the People’s House—through the budgeting process. Chairman Amstutz, along with Vice-Chairman John Carey, Ranking Member Vernon Sykes and the rest of the committee and subcommittee members on both sides of the aisle, worked diligently and respectfully with one another in a way that should make all Ohioans proud.

Through their efforts, the House has built a transformational budget that represents a new way of doing things. It is a budget that strengthens limited government—a government that can best serve and empower its people. It is also a budget in which we made every effort to spend less money than in the previous General Assembly—and we succeeded, WITHOUT RAISING TAXES on hard-working Ohioans who ask that they might keep the money they’ve earned.

While the House’s passage of the legislation is only one step within the overall process, because of how it was done, it will dominate budget making in this session and in the future. It aims to keep Ohioans healthy in an affordable way. It provides hard-to-come-by financial resources to our local governments. It expands school choice, strengthening our struggling schools and protecting our strongest ones. It keeps college affordable at a time when it is most important our citizens have the knowledge for 21st Century jobs. And most importantly, it gives Ohioans the opportunity to retain the money they’ve earned, with the flexibility to spend it in a way that will most benefit them and their families. After all, it’s their money.

I have always believed Ohio is an exceptional place to live, work and start a business. It is a place where we can act upon our dreams and work toward a life of prosperity and peace, raising our children to inherit a state that is even better than that which was handed to us. Responsible budgeting is a part of that process.

No budget is perfect. But after 57 committee hearings, 811 witnesses and nearly 200 hours of testimony, this proposal is the furthest we have come during my many years as a legislator to enacting the policies and solutions that will set Ohio on a course toward real economic vitality and business development. It will continue to be built upon and made better for the people of Ohio in the coming weeks, but for now we must be proud of Chairman Amstutz and other hard-working and passionate legislators, who through this bill are making an effort to give all Ohioans a budget that will make us proud, even in the most difficult of times.

After several weeks of debate and discussion, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a fiscally balanced budget bill that reduces government spending, avoids tax increases, and invests in Ohio’s immediate and long-term future.

House Bill 153—the product of 57 committee hearings, 811 witnesses and nearly 200 hours of testimony—maintains a commitment to Ohio’s job climate and fiscal sustainability. It successfully makes significant reductions in the size of state government and closes the $8 billion budget gap.

“This is a smart, financially sustainable budget that not only addresses our current economic crisis, but also works to avoid the possibility of future crises down the road,” said State Representative Ron Amstutz, chairman of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee. “Through transformational reforms at the state and local levels, agency spending reductions and revenue revisions, we were able to fill the budget gap without raising taxes. We firmly opposed raising taxes on Ohioans when there were so many other structural inefficiencies and areas of government that needed to be reexamined.”

Through a study that the House Republicans requested from the Ohio Department of Taxation, the caucus learned that income taxes would have to be increased between 46 and 56 percent on Ohio’s families in order to fill the budget gap. “I and the majority of my House colleagues simply were not willing to put this burden onto the backs of the taxpayers,” said Amstutz. “We held the tax rate down while putting funding where it is needed most.”

Among the priorities of the budget is a focus on Ohio’s economy and job market. In addition to including a measure to incentivize educated individuals to relocate to Ohio to pursue a college degree, House Bill 153 also solidifies the proposal to transfer the wholesale liquor enterprise to JobsOhio by clearly delineating the division of responsibility between the Department of Commerce licensing and merchandising functions.

Importantly, it also eliminates the death tax—which imposes an onerous double tax on Ohio’s middle class—effective January 1, 2013 to support small business owners, homeowners, farmers, retirees and entrepreneurs. According to Americans for Tax Reform, the elimination of the death tax will provide a much-needed tax cut for Ohio’s taxpayers and middle-class families, while also helping to curtail outward migration.
“Ohio’s economic recovery continues to be a primary focus of the House Republican Caucus, and I believe that it shows in this budget proposal,” Amstutz said. “We are also investing in the things that matter to the people of this state, such as education, elderly care and more options for local governments.”

To bolster Ohio’s education system, the House Republicans made a concerted effort to trim spending from other areas of the budget to ensure more funding for education. House Bill 153 invests an additional $40 million per year to the school foundation formula and guarantees that no district will receive a cut in state aid of more than 20 percent. It expands school choice opportunities for students in underperforming schools by increasing the value of the Cleveland Voucher Program to the same level available under the EdChoice Scholarship Program, increasing the EdChoice program to 60,000 vouchers in FY 2013 and raising the charter school sponsorship cap. It also boosts funding for parochial schools by $5 million, restoring dollars that were unfairly cut in the previous Democrat-enacted budget.

House Bill 153 also provides much-needed transparency for parents and taxpayers by requiring the Ohio Department of Education to report annually to each district its ratio of administrative vs. instructional spending, its per-pupil amount for each purpose and its percentage of funds for operating. “This measure comes at a time when school districts continue to seek increased property tax levies from local taxpayers,” Amstutz said. “My colleagues and I believe that parents and taxpayers deserve to know what their school district is spending on their children’s education before they vote on a levy ballot issue.”

The budget strengthens higher education in Ohio by capping annual tuition increases at 3.5 percent and expanding eligibility for the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. Furthermore, it prompts construction reform to help universities put more money in the classroom and moves Ohio into the digital age by creating a pilot program that utilizes digital textbooks.

It also protects Ohio’s seniors by increasing funding for home care by $15 million over the biennium and offers incentives for local governments to deliver services at a local cost through shared services. Additionally, it ensures that local governments receive either their FY 2011 local government fund allocation or at least $500,000.

“I am very pleased by the hard work of Rep. Amstutz, Vice-chair John Carey and the Finance Committee, as well as the diligence and thoughtful debate of the members of the House,” said Speaker of the House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “No matter what approach we took to fill the $8 billion deficit, this budget certainly was going to be very difficult. But this House handled the challenge with great care and consideration, and I am proud of what we accomplished today.”

House Bill 153 passed from the House by a vote of 59-40 and will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

Speaker of the Ohio House William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today announced that Americans for Tax Reform—a nonprofit organization that advocates for a simple tax structure through research and education—has endorsed House Bill 153, the state biennial budget bill.

"Governor Kasich and House Republicans made a commitment to Ohioans last year to oppose harmful tax increases,” said Josh Culling, manager of state affairs for Americans for Tax Reform. “This budget doubles down on that promise, balancing the state budget without tax hikes while boosting the middle class by eliminating Ohio's onerous estate tax. ATR applauds House Bill 153 and those who fought to make it a reality.”

In a letter to legislators, ATR president Grover Norquist said he strongly urged a “yes” vote on the budget. Further, he noted that “the inclusion of Ohio’s estate tax repeal – the most punitive of its kind in the nation – is imperative to attracting investment, jobs and population” to Ohio.

“I am pleased and appreciative that Americans for Tax Reform has expressed support for our budget proposal and recognized our commitment to balancing this difficult budget without raising taxes on Ohio families,” Batchelder said. “As a caucus, the House Republicans continue to advocate for a government structure that respects and serves all Ohioans through lower taxes and provides for a more attractive environment for small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

The Ohio House of Representatives has passed Substitute House Bill 95, legislation that would modernize Ohio’s regulatory practices for natural gas utilities. The bill aims to promote economic investment in Ohio’s outdated natural gas infrastructure and ultimately reduce Ohioans’ natural gas utility bills.

Sub. H.B. 95 protects consumers by maintaining the current rate-making structure of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and requires a natural gas utility to reconcile projected costs with the amount that is actually spent by the utility.

The legislation has received feedback from groups ranging from the Sierra Club to the Ohio Consumers’ Council. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce supports Sub. H.B. 95 and recommended its passage.

Sub. H.B. 95 passed by a vote of 66-32 and now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

State Representative Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed a comprehensive set of reforms that aim to revise Ohio’s sentencing law, address prison population growth, and streamline court, jail and prison operations.

House Bill 86 also includes the recommendations of the Council of State Governments Justice Reinvestment Project, an effort to help states address skyrocketing corrections expenditures and high recidivism rates among individuals upon release.

“Today we’ve taken a significant step toward reforming our criminal justice system and making it more effective,” Blessing said. “The system consumes an exorbitant amount of tax dollars and fails to successfully rehabilitate offenders. The status quo is simply unacceptable when we continue to funnel more and more dollars into a system that is underperforming. We can achieve significant savings by directing non-violent offenders into community-based programs that prepare individuals to be productive members of society, rather than repeatedly throwing the same people back into prison.”

According to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio’s prison population is projected to increase to more than 40 percent over capacity by 2015. Currently, state prisons are filled to 33 percent over capacity, holding nearly 13,000 more individuals than they were designed to hold. House Bill 86 would successfully address this burgeoning problem through community programs that more effectively rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism rates at a more affordable cost for the taxpayers. It will also improve probation supervision and reduce duplication of resources.

Almost every major paper in the state of Ohio has featured positive commentary about sentencing reform, including the Columbus Dispatch, the Akron Beacon Journal and the Toledo Blade.

House Bill 86 passed by a vote of 96-2 and will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

State Representative Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) today honored two local athletes during a session of the Ohio House of Representatives. Both individuals—Travis McIntosh and Riley Shaw—won championship titles this past March at the state tournament held at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

Upper weight Travis McIntosh became one of only two student-athletes in Miami Trace to win a state wrestling title when he won the 215-pound championship match. Riley Shaw, a junior at Washington Court House, made school history when he won the school’s first-ever state wrestling championship. He took home the Division II heavyweight title.

“I was honored and pleased to recognize two state champions from Fayette County. Our county has a great history of producing great wrestlers. Coach Reid and Coach Anders and all of Fayette County should certainly be proud of these young men’s achievements,” said Peterson. “Over the years, Riley and Travis have worked hard, improved their skills, and become state champions.”

Recently, State Representative Jarrod B. Martin (R-Beavercreek) participated in the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) annual Spring Task Force Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio, where hundreds of legislators and policy leaders from across the country gathered to discuss policy issues ranging from education to health care to fiscal responsibility.

Representative Martin offered suggestions to help colleagues in other states and also brought back a great deal of information to help Ohio become an economically stable and successful state.

“Ohio faces similar economic issues as other states in terms of commerce, health care, business growth and crippled state budgets. It’s our responsibility as elected officials to have the most current information and best choices possible when making policy decisions to help Ohio succeed out of this recession,” said Representative Martin.

ALEC meetings are designed to help legislators share suggestions and solutions with each other. In addition, legislative leaders from the states can propose policies for ALEC to adopt as a national organization.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation’s largest nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators, with nearly 2,000 state legislators across the nation and more than 100 alumni members in Congress. ALEC’s mission is to promote free markets, individual liberty, and federalism through its model legislation in the states.

As the summer approaches, my fellow legislators and I in Columbus find ourselves sorting through one of the most challenging budget bills ever to come across our desks. Originally proposed in March from the governor’s office, this budget reflects the challenge the 129th General Assembly has faced since its beginning: how to fill a financial hole of $8 billion without crippling our economic development through steep tax hikes. As you can imagine, this has been no small undertaking.

As a legislator from an economically hard-hit district such as ours, I am committed to the development of a thriving and competitive job market here in Ohio. It is one of the very few surefire ways of revitalizing our state’s economy, which is the ultimate goal of this budgeting process.

In the House, my colleagues and I have read and carefully reviewed every piece of the budget proposal, spotting some key points where change was necessary. In light of the importance of economic development and job creation, we have drafted Substitute House Bill 153, containing many important amendments to the originally proposed budget that are necessary to securing Ohio’s economy for the long term. Although the bill will see additional changes in the coming days and weeks, it will certainly be one in which we can attract and retain business as a means of securing economic development and building a foundation for future stability.

House Bill 153 provides many ways to do so. For instance, the bill proposes offering full in-state tuition grants for state universities and colleges to Ohio high school graduates who have returned to the state within 10 years of graduating, putting more money and jobs back into our economy. Similarly, the bill will eliminate the estate tax, making Ohio a more attractive place to run a business and retire. Ensuring that this is fertile soil for the development of businesses is vital to rehabilitating our job market.

As a former school board member, I am personally committed to the preservation of our state’s excellent system of education. Our children make up the backbone of our economic future, so we cannot afford to let our system of education suffer from budgetary irresponsibility. Fortunately, the rest of the House members are just as committed to education, and we have been able to provide for it in the budget.

First off, the proposed budget will bring the cost of post-secondary education down by capping state universities’ annual tuition increases at 3.5 percent. Also, the budget provides an additional $40 million per year for the next two years to the school foundation formula while making sure no district receives a cut in state aid greater than 20 percent. House Bill 153 aims to keep our schools functioning as effectively as they possibly can in our economic state, giving Ohio a strong foundation to rebuild its economy.

Facing a financial deficit as large as $8 billion, we must carefully provide a budget that will pull Ohio out of the deficit while keeping taxes down. While this may seem impossible, we have seen in past years that tax hikes are only temporary quick-fixes that burden our middle-class and lower-income families.
With the House’s recent budget proposal, we are looking beyond the present and into the future. I am confident that with the budgetary innovations mentioned here, along with the many others included in House Bill 153, we can work together with Ohioans to start rebuilding our economy from the ground up.