Chairman’s Update
Good Evening,
Last week, Joe Biden assumed office as President of the United States. As Americans wish him the best as our nation’s next leader, however, we must continue to fight for our conservative values. Republican principles have always aligned with those of the hard-working Midwest, and a liberal agenda will never be the answer to our challenges nor will it deliver the American dream.
Under Joe Biden’s administration, Americans can expect more of the same failed policies that have plagued Washington for years. Biden has already revoked the permit for the Keystone Pipeline, crushing more than 11,000 jobs and $1.6 billion in U.S. wages, and has ended travel bans from countries that have sponsored terrorism.
Under Republican leadership, Americans saw their taxes reduced, trade deals renegotiated, the defeat of ISIS, the strengthening of our military, great economic success, and protection for the unborn. We will continue to unite around our core conservative principles as we look ahead, so that we may witness that greatness once again.
Sincerely,
Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party
Portman Thanks Ohio National Guard Troops Deployed To Washington D.C.
U.S. Senator Rob Portman issued the following statement after visiting with members of the Ohio National Guard who have deployed to Washington D.C. to assist with security for President Biden’s Inauguration:
“I was honored to have a chance to thank a number of the Ohio National Guardsmen and women who have deployed to Washington, D.C. to help protect the U.S. Capitol and assist with security for the Presidential Inauguration. Time after time, our Guardsmen answer the call to serve and they have carried out their mission here with dignity and the utmost professionalism. These men and women represent the very best our state and nation have to offer and I thank them for their service.”
DeWine: COVID Vaccine Phase 1B Underway, Starting with Ohioans 80+
On Tuesday, Governor DeWine highlighted the vaccine distribution timeline for Phase 1B of Ohio’s vaccination program, which began for those ages 80 and up. Governor DeWine was joined by several Ohioans who received a vaccination as part of Phase 1B.
Week of January 25: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 75 and up. Vaccinations will also be available to those with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders, and who have a developmental or intellectual disability.
A representative from the local county developmental disabilities board will reach out to help coordinate receipt of the vaccination for Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders, as well as a developmental or intellectual disability.
During the week of February 15, Ohioans with any of these conditions, and do not have a developmental or intellectual disability, will be eligible to receive the vaccination. Additional information on how these individuals can choose to receive their vaccines is forthcoming.
“This group has been identified by medical professionals as having a high risk of death if they caught COVID-19,” said Governor DeWine. “It’s critical that we continue to prioritize Ohioans who are most vulnerable.”
Each provider will begin administering vaccines the day after they receive their shipment. All vaccines must be distributed within seven days.
Week of February 1: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 70 and up following the same process outlined above.
Week of February 8: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 65 and up following the same process outlined above.
The Ohio Department of Health has launched a tool on vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov to assist residents looking for a provider that has been allocated vaccines.
The tool is searchable by zip code and county, but it will not be uploaded in real-time. It is critical that those eligible to receive a vaccine consult local resources to determine up-to-date vaccine availability.
K-12 SCHOOLS
Vaccinations will also be available for personnel in Ohio schools in Phase 1B. As of Tuesday, 96% of public school districts have committed to returning to school at least partially in-person by March 1.
Schools committed to at least partially returning to in-person by March 1 have been designated a local Educational Service Center as a working partner. Additional details will be confirmed between the working partners and school districts.
School districts are also choosing a retail pharmacy partner, secured by the state, or an existing local partnership, to administer the vaccinations to school personnel. Beginning the week of February 1, vaccination administration will be coordinated with school-provider partnerships, and a majority will be closed clinics for school personnel only.
Husted Announces Broadband Pilot Project in SE Ohio
Lt. Governor Husted, Director of InnovateOhio, announced a new pilot project aimed at expanding broadband using existing technology through MARCS towers located in Southeast Ohio.
The project gives Internet Service Providers an opportunity to apply for a grant through the state to attach to six towers in Scioto and Jackson Counties, ultimately providing low-cost internet to unserved households in the area.
“I challenged our team to come up with new ideas on how we could use existing state assets to extend high-speed internet services to those who need it—today we are delivering on that challenge,” said Lt. Governor Husted.
Visit Development.Ohio.gov to learn more.
Yost Asks Congress for Safe Harbor while Ohio Investigates Unemployment Fraud
Attorney General Dave Yost asked Ohio’s congressional delegation to sponsor legislation protecting hundreds of thousands of Ohioans from having to pay taxes on fraudulent coronavirus unemployment claims filed in their names. The request comes as state officials report widespread fraud among coronavirus unemployment benefit claims.
Many Ohioans are just now discovering they are victims of identify theft as they receive a 1099 tax form from the state for jobless benefits fraudulently filed using their personal information. Yost believes there is enough evidence of fraud to notify Ohio’s congressional delegation that it should suspend tax collection efforts on the claims until they are investigated.
“Construction workers, daycare providers, service industry workers – the backbone of this state – have worked hard throughout the pandemic and now the government is going to ask them to pay taxes on money they didn’t receive – it’s just not right,” Yost said.
Secretary LaRose Maintaining Accurate Voter Rolls, Fighting Voter Fraud
Every year, thousands of voter registrations are abandoned, leaving voter rolls less accurate and more vulnerable to fraud. This week, Secretary LaRose carried out state law to remove those abandoned registrations. To get the job done, LaRose has utilized a more innovative, transparent and accessible process to ensure that all registered Ohioans have a fair and secure opportunity to vote in this great state.
There is a way to strengthen the accuracy of our voter registration lists even more. Secretary LaRose has called on Ohio to embrace a more modernized voter registration system by integrating state-based resources such as the BMV to help update Ohioans’ current information. This will lessen the number of abandoned registrations and reduce the opportunity to conduct voter fraud.
Faber Recognizes Local Government for Good Bookkeeping
This week, Auditor Keith Faber visited Dayton to meet with local elected officials and offer support throughout the pandemic. He also stopped to recognize the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority for receiving the Auditor of State Award for good financial record keeping and compliance with state laws.
Sprague Adds Nelsonville to Ohio Checkbook Ranks
On Wednesday, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced the City of Nelsonville as the newest Ohio Checkbook partner.
“I’m proud to welcome the City of Nelsonville as our newest OhioCheckbook.gov partner, and I appreciate their participation in this important transparency initiative,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Through this streamlined and user-friendly platform, residents can view how their tax dollars are being spent with just the click of a button.”
The City of Nelsonville is the 10th local government entity in Athens County to join OhioCheckbook.gov. The relaunched OhioCheckbook.gov went live in June of last year and serves as a single, one-stop resource for taxpayers to learn more about spending at the state and local levels of government.
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