Chairman’s Update 12/10

This week, we’re focused on the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act and the DNC’s Unity Commission has some high praise for the RNC.

The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act is one step closer to becoming law with the announcement of the conference committee members. I am proud that our Senator Rob Portman is leading the way on this issue and will be an important member of that committee.

Thanks to Ohio Republicans in the House and Senate, both versions of the bill reduce the tax burden on business of all sizes and allow hard working Ohio families to keep more of their hard-earned dollars at home, not in Washington. The bills help everyone from mom and pop shops to Main Street business and other job creators. Because of this, numerous analyses of the plan show that it would produce massive job creation and economic growth with the potential for a 5% increase in GDP over ten years.

Also, in case you missed it, the Democratic National Committee’s Unity Commission” met this weekend and it’s safe to say things aren’t going well. Besides being marked by protests, Member Elaine Kamarck admits she is embarrassed to say the DNC is “constantly beat” by the RNC, which has “less funny business” than the DNC. 

Jane M. Timken

Chairman, Ohio Republican Party 

Praise for Portman; Picked to Conference Committee 

Senator Rob Portman received lots of praise this week for the key role he played in getting the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act through the Senate.  His leadership was also highlighted  when he was appointed to serve on the House-Senate conference committee to negotiate the final bill.  We hope you will check out some of the stories below highlighting Portman’s work, which will help middle-class families and save the typical Ohio family $2,375 annually, create more jobs, and increase wages for American workers. 

“With Senate approval of the most sweeping changes in the federal tax code since 1986, Sen. Rob Portman has moved one step closer to a goal he has talked about relentlessly since he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010. And if overhauling the tax code sparks an economic boom, Portman will emerge as one of the Republicans who will receive credit nationwide for making the tax bill a reality.” – Dayton Daily News, December 4, 2017

“Not long after the 2016 election, McConnell and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) quietly tapped four Senate Republicans – Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rob Portman of Ohio, Tim Scott of South Carolina and John Thune of South Dakota – to be the GOP conference’s point people on the tax battle. The group immediately began meeting in December to lay the groundwork for the legislative push.  And after the failure of Obamacare repeal, Republicans were determined to do things differently.” – POLITICO, December 2, 2017

“Now that the Senate and House have passed their separate tax-cut plans, a select group of lawmakers will meet behind closed doors to resolve the differences.  Sen. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican and booster of the cuts, will be in that group. Republican Senate leaders Wednesday night appointed Portman and several colleagues to meet with House of Representatives counterparts, work through their bills’ differences and present a final, combined bill for passage in both chambers … Since last year, Portman has been among a few key senators behind the scenes shaping the tax package, which he says will help most Ohioans keep more of their pay and spur companies to expand and hire.” – Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 7, 2017

Taylor Talks Solutions to Issues Facing Ohio and Empowering Women

 

 

This week Lt. Governor Mary Taylor was the keynote speaker at the Delaware County GOP Women’s Club Christmas party.  In addition to discussing her solutions to the pressing problems facing Ohio, Taylor talked about empowering women and making sure that our party reflects the people we represent.  In today’s environment, with a new harassment case in the headlines every day, Mary stressed the importance of women standing up for one another in politics, the workplace and beyond.  Taylor said, “If you help one woman, you’ve helped all women.”

DeWine/Husted Ticket Receives Endorsements from Franklin County Party and Rep. Dorothy Pelanda

   

This week, Mike DeWine and Jon Husted were thrilled to receive the endorsement of the Franklin County Republican Party. After hearing from each candidate, Franklin Party voted 106-9 to endorse the DeWine/Husted ticket for Governor.

The next day, Mike DeWine joined State Representative Dorothy Pelanda at an event in Dublin where she announced her endorsement of the ticket too.

The DeWine/Husted ticket continues to receive endorsements from conservative leaders and grassroots activists across the state.

Renacci Meets with Ohioans Across the State, Attends Trump’s White House Congressional Ball, and Fights for 2nd Amendment Rights

 

On Monday in Ohio, Jim Renacci traveled around the state to meet with fellow conservatives and hear about the issues that were concerning them, from tax reform to healthcare in nursing facilities. He attended a luncheon at Wooster Inn with business leaders to discuss ways to help Ohio businesses compete and create more jobs. Afterwards, Jim met with senior citizens and healthcare officials at a nursing home in Wayne County to talk about the facilities and the care provided. Ending the day, he spoke with people at a meet and greet in Knox County about bringing fresh, conservative leadership to move this state forward.

Back in Washington, Jim attended the White House Congressional Ball at the invitation of President Donald Trump. With his wife Tina, they met with Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary Ben Carson, and others while taking in the splendor of the decorations and celebrating the beginning of the holiday season at the White House.

The Cincinnati Enquirer featured an op-ed from Jim on his fight to protect the constitutional right to bear arms and allow law-abiding citizens to exercise this right across state lines. Having received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association three times and been consistently endorsed by Ohioans for Concealed Carry and the NRA, Jim has always been an avid gun owner and a strong defender of gun rights. Currently, he is a co-sponsor of legislation to ensure that law-abiding Americans who are already qualified to carry a concealed firearm in one state can also carry in other states that allow their own residents to do so.

Paper Highlights Auditor Dave Yost’s Work Rooting Out Corruption 

 

Last week The Youngtown Vindicator published an article praising the work of Auditor of State Dave Yost and his team for rooting out public corruption in the Mahoning Valley. The article highlights Yost’s willingness to call balls and strikes, leave politics out of the office, and go after the wrongdoers.

“Ohio Auditor Yost has not only said all the right things with regard to public corruption, but has done the right thing,” the article reads.

You can read the entire article here

Zanesville City Schools Join OhioCheckbook.com

“Proud to be in Zanesville today. Putting the Zanesville City Schools online. The taxpayers have a right to know how the tax money is being spent. And what we’re doing is taking all of the spending in the school district and we’re putting it on the internet,” said Mandel.

“We’re gonna put it on people’s iPhones, on their computers, so the taxpayers of Zanesville can see how the tax money is being spent.”

Read more here.

Ohio Senate Seats New Member and Passes Legislation Removing Barriers for Veterans

State Senator Robert McColley (R-Napoleon) was sworn in this week as a member of the Ohio Senate after the Senate Republicans unanimously voted to approve the screening committee recommendation to fill the vacancy in Ohio’s 1st Senate District. 

Read more  here.

The Senate also passed legislation sponsored by State Senator Frank LaRose (R-Hudson) which would waive the skills test for a commercial driver’s license for veterans who have applicable military certifications. “When transitioning back to civilian life, our veterans should be afforded every opportunity to use the skills they gained while serving in the military,” said LaRose. “This bill not only helps them use those skills, but also helps Ohio fill the thousands of desirable trucking jobs that remain unfilled due to a lack qualified applicants. Businesses desire a talented and dedicated workforce; our veterans are exactly what they are looking for.”  

Read more here.

Ohio House Bids Farewell to Rep. Rob McColley; Welcomes Rep. Bill Reineke to Leadership Team 

On Tuesday, the Ohio House saw both the resignation of Rep. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) and the promotion of Rep. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) to House Assistant Majority Whip.

Representative McColley was chosen over five other applicants by the Ohio Senate to fill the vacancy in the 1st Ohio Senate district. He steps down as House Assistant Majority Whip, a valued spot on the leadership team, and will serve out the remainder of 2018 in the Senate. He will be running for election to a new four year term in 2018.

“I have truly enjoyed watching him grow and develop over the last few years as both a legislator and a father,” said House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger. “Thank you for your service on our leadership team and to the 81st House District. Our loss is the Senate’s gain.”

Filling his spot as Assistant Majority Whip will be Representative Bill Reineke. Reineke, who hails from Northwest Ohio, is in his second term representing Ohio’s 88th House District.