Author: ohiogop

Statement from ORP Chairman Jane Timken on Violent Protests

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Statement from ORP Chairman Jane Timken on Violent Protests
Columbus,OH – Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken released the following statement regarding this weekend’s planned political protests:

“As I have said before, we as Americans have the right to seek redress of our grievances, but not through violent means. The violence and destruction that took place in the halls of the Capitol building last week was simply un-American. Those who committed violent actions should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.  Now, law enforcement has warned of armed protests set to take place in D.C. and the capital cities of all 50 states this weekend, Columbus included. The violence must stop.”

“Fundamental to our democracy is the peaceful transition of power. I am urging all Ohioans no matter what side of the aisle you are on – violence is not and is never the answer. Our nation needs to heal.”

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Chairman’s Update 1/10/21

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Chairman’s Update

Good Evening,

I am heartbroken over the riots and violence in our nation’s Capitol. We mourn the loss of Kevin Greeson, Benjamin Philips, Rosanne Boyland, Ashli Babbitt and Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick. This must never happen again.  Violence is never the vehicle for political action.

It is critical to remember that whether it comes to our country or our party, our shared progress and prosperity is never about one person, one candidate, or one government official. As a Republican Party, we nominate those who share our ideals and who we believe will give us the best opportunity to move the country forward. It is imperative that we continue to focus on not only those ideals but on the types of candidates who will best lead our communities, our state, and our nation. In November, almost 75 million people cast their vote for president in order to continue the progress that we have made over the last four years.

We must focus on what Republicans have achieved to make the lives of Americans better. Prior to the pandemic our country had historic low unemployment for Hispanics, African Americans, and women. We lowered taxes on businesses and individuals so they have more money to spend and invest as they choose. We became energy independent so that we are not reliant on foreign sources. We stood up to China. We supported conservative judges who will not legislate from the bench. We value the sanctity of life. And of the utmost importance we must be the beacon for freedom and for our inalienable constitutional rights with liberty and justice for all.

I’ve had many conversations in the last week, many of them with the same question; where does the Republican Party go from here?  While that is a tough question to answer, I challenge everyone who asks that question to think back to why they became a Republican to begin with. Our party has become stronger than ever and it is due to continued focus on our bedrock principles. The future of our party will be shaped by each of you and which candidates you choose who best embody The Republican Party.

To that end I urge you to step up. Get involved in your local communities. Participate in local elections, interact with your government officials on all levels. Write a letter. Make a phone call. It is this type of advocacy and involvement that helps to promote good government and will help achieve progress in our great country.

2021 is a new year and with that comes an opportunity for all of us to do better.  We have much work ahead of us. I ask that we unite as a party and continue to elect Republicans who will make the lives of Ohioans better.

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

 

Portman Statement on the Attack on the U.S. Capitol 

U.S. Senator Rob Portman issued the following statement on the attack on the U.S. Capitol:

“I condemn the violent and criminal acts that took place at the U.S. Capitol today.  These shameful actions to disrupt a session of Congress and vandalize the Capitol building should never happen in our great republic. The U.S. Capitol belongs to every American and is a symbol of the citadel of democracy. An attack on the Capitol building is an attack on every American. Likewise, an attack on our nation’s brave law enforcement officers is an attack on the rule of law and the safety and security of all Americans. 

“It is time for President Trump to embrace the peaceful transfer of power, which is mandated under the Constitution and a hallmark of our democracy.  The Senate should reconvene in our Chamber to get our work done. I urge the House and Senate to certify the electoral college results tonight.”

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DeWine Signs Stand Your Ground, Other Bills

This week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWinesigned several bills passed by the Ohio General Assembly, including Senate Bill 175. SB 175, Ohio’s Stand Your Ground law, removes ambiguity in Ohio self-defense law.
Governor DeWine also signed Senate Bill 27, which prescribes for the human disposal of fetal remains. As Attorney General, DeWine conducted investigations which revealed alleged inhumane practices in certain abortion clinics, and SB 27 gives clear direction for humane practices.

Husted Announces Next Round of TechCred

Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that the seventh round of TechCred – a program that helps businesses upskill their current and incoming workforce with tech-focused, in-demand credentials – is now open until January 29.

Ohio businesses, including small businesses, can receive up to $2,000 for each tech-focused credential earned, up to $30,000 per employer, each application period. Since the program’s launch, a total of 966 Ohio employers have been approved for funding, supporting the earning of over 15,000 tech-focused credentials by Ohio employees.

To learn more and apply, businesses can visit TechCred.Ohio.Gov.

 

Yost Files Brief in Support of Keeping Kids in School During Pandemic

Last week, Attorney General Dave Yost filed an amicus brief in support of keeping kids in school during the pandemic, and protecting religious liberties. Yost filed the brief in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in support of three Christian schools and Citizens for Community Values’ lawsuit to overturn a Toledo-Lucas County Health Department order shuttering all in-person classes for students in grades 7-12. The brief argued that the health order violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals later ruled that the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department unconstitutionally discriminated against religious schools by treating them worse than secular businesses.

This is a “big win for religious liberty, the Constitution and these kids, who get to go back to school,” Yost said about the ruling.

 

LaRose Releases Audit of Ohio’s 2020 Presidential Election Results

This week Secretary LaRose released the results of Ohio’s post-election audits in all 88 counties. These audits, which have long been championed by LaRose, play a critical role in ensuring that our elections remain fair, honest and secure. In counties that utilized a percentage-based audit, the results demonstrated a 99.98% accuracy rate for the presidential election.

Faber Lays Out 2021 Priorities

This week Auditor of State Keith Faber laid our his priorities for the new year. After the arrival of COVID-19 and the subsequent shut downs, Ohio’s economy took a massive hit. The infusion of CARES Act money from the Federal government was designed to help local governments continue to provide essential services amidst the pandemic. Faber’s #1 priority this year is continuing to assist local governments navigate the pandemic and provide guidance to ensure that local governments are able to properly spend their CARES dollars and encourage them to continue providing relief to the small businesses and local workers that have been affected by the pandemic.

Sprague Announces OMAP Milestone

Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague recently announced the Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) has now enhanced and lowered interest costs for $1 billion in local government notes. OMAP is a credit enhancement program that leverages the state’s excess liquidity and high short-term credit rating to help improve market access and lower borrowing rates for local governments.
“During this year of market volatility and tightening budgets across the state, OMAP was more valuable than ever in helping Ohio’s communities stretch their dollars and complete important infrastructure projects,” said Treasurer Sprague. “We look forward to partnering with more local governments in the new year and helping them finance the work that improves the lives of Ohioans.”
Since its 2014 launch, OMAP has supported more than 190 deals, ranging from $390,000 to over $100 million.
 
In 2020, the Treasurer’s office completed 38 OMAP deals, compared to 37 in 2019. However, the total estimated savings the program provided to local governments more than doubled in 2020 ($920,000 in 2020 compared to $437,000 in 2019).
 

 

Statement from ORP Chairman Jane Timken Condemning the Riots Taking Place in Washington DC 

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Statement from ORP Chairman Jane Timken Condemning the Riots Taking Place in Washington DC 

Columbus,OH – Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken released the following statement regarding the riots taking place in Washington, D.C.:

“The riots taking place in our nation’s capital do not reflect America as I know it. We are lucky to live in a country that allows its citizens freedom of thought, expression and speech, but today’s lawlessness cannot be tolerated. I condemn today’s violence in the strongest possible terms. We are a nation of laws and I pray not only for our nation’s law enforcement officials as they protect the Capitol building, but also for our nation to heal and find peace in such difficult times.”

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Press Release: Ohio Deploys Large Number of Republicans to Georgia 1/4/21

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Columbus, Ohio

Monday, January 4, 2021

Columbus,OH – Ohio Republicans have continued deploying large groups of conservative allies to Georgia to aid in the Senate races of Senators Loeffler and Perdue as they face runoff elections.

Tomorrow, Georgians will head to the ballot box to vote for their next United States Senators. It is imperative that Republicans maintain a majority in the Senate chamber and that Georgians hold the line to re-elect Loeffler and Perdue. Ohio Republicans have committed time, resources, and volunteers to ensure a win for conservative values and voters.

Ohio had the largest deployment of Young Republicans in the entire country, and was the second largest contributor to the Young Republican National Federation’s voter contact operation this past weekend, making more than 100,000 voter contacts.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken said, “As Republicans, we know what is at stake if Democrats manage to gain a majority in the United States Senate. Higher taxes, defunding police, and court-packing are just some of the radical agendas we can expect Democrats to pursue if Georgians do not hold the line on January 5th. After running one of the most effective ground games in the country in 2020, Ohio Republicans have remained committed to conservative causes and will continue to support our counterparts in Georgia as they fight for conservative values.”

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Chairman’s Update 12/20/20

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Chairman’s Update

Good Evening,

Last week, Ohio witnessed the first COVID-19 vaccinations being given out to frontline and essential workers and those in vulnerable populations. This marks the first step in returning to normalcy, and it is all thanks to President Trump and Governor DeWine’s leadership. Democrats and political pundits doubted President Trump’s Administration would be able to produce a vaccine in less than one year, but thanks to Operation Warp Speed, we now have multiple pharmaceutical companies working diligently to produce effective vaccines. Once again, President Trump delivered on a promise he made to Americans.

With just over two weeks to go until the January 5th Georgia Senate runoff elections, Republicans must continue voicing support for the two candidates. Senators Loeffler and Perdue must be re-elected by Georgians in order to maintain a conservative majority in the Senate. It is not too late to volunteer your time to help the Senators win their races. If you are interested in helping us win two very important Senate races, you can Volunteer Here! 

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

 

On Senate Floor, Portman Calls on Senate to Pass Critical legislation to Respond to Challenge of COVID-19 

Last week on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Rob Portman gave his 21st speech since March calling on Congress to pass legislation to respond to the health care and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, Portman joined a group of bipartisan senators in introducing two bipartisan packages to provide as much as $908 billion in relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Congressional leadership is using most of the legislation for the basis of the final product they will unveil to create a bridge of support between now and when the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available.

A video of his remarks can be found here.

DeWine: COVID Vaccinations Start in Ohio

On Monday, Governor DeWine announced that the first COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Ohio. Shipments of 975 doses were delivered to both The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus and UC Health in Cincinnati. Several healthcare workers and personnel who are routinely involved with the care of COVID-19 patients immediately received vaccinations.

“It was such a moment of hope to watch the healthcare workers begin to get vaccinated,” said Governor DeWine. “This is the first day of a process that will continue over the months ahead as Ohioans who choose to be vaccinated have their opportunity to receive the vaccine. However, until the vaccine is widely available for all Ohioans who choose to receive it, we must continue to use all available tools to prevent the spread of the virus, like wearing a mask, keeping your distance, and washing your hands.”

As COVID-19 vaccines continue to come to Ohio, Cardinal Health’s OptiFreight Logistics business will help provide same-day delivery services. Once the vaccine is widely available, this partnership will allow Ohio to ship the vaccine to approximately 350 locations across the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention invited Ohio to participate in an early scaled launch of vaccinations in nursing homes beginning Friday.

Ohio had previously been scheduled to start its nursing home vaccination program in partnership with pharmacy providers on Monday, December 21.

On Friday, Governor DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Lt. Governor Husted visited nursing facilities across the state to watch the administration of the first COVID-19 vaccines in the nation in long-term care facilities as part of a new partnership. The vaccines, which were given to residents and staff who chose to receive them, were given as part of the early scaling up of the federal Pharmacy Long-Term Care Partnership program.

“It’s an incredible day in Ohio’s history. The rolling out of these vaccines mark a turning point in this pandemic,” said Governor DeWine.

“I am honored that Ohio was selected as one of the first states where nursing home residents and staff could begin receiving these vaccinations. Residents at our nursing and assisted living facilities and their caregivers have been some of the hardest hit by this pandemic. This historic day allows us to offer a new level of protection for some of our most vulnerable Ohioans. It also brings us one step closer to moving past this virus.”

Lt. Governor Husted traveled to the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown to watch residents there receive the COVID-19 vaccine. “It was truly special to be there at Georgetown Veterans Home this morning as residents received their COVID-19 vaccinations,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “These are individuals who bravely served our country, and they deserve to be among the first to receive it. It’s an exciting day for not only this facility, and its staff and residents, but also for all Ohioans.”

Husted Announces Innovative Broadband Expansion Pilot Project

Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced on Wednesday another innovative broadband expansion project aimed at connecting underserved households and businesses in Ohio.

Allen Township, outside of Marysville, will be the site of a new pilot project through the Starlink satellite broadband service developed by SpaceX.

The pilot will test the delivery of Starlink’s space-based high speed internet to 90 households and about 10 small businesses. It marks the largest Starlink pilot in the Midwest and it was made possible through the partnership of InnovateOhio, BroadbandOhio, the City of Marysville, economic leaders in Union County, and JobsOhio.

To learn more, click here.

 

Yost Joins Lawsuit to End Google’s Illegal Monopoly 

Attorney General Dave Yost joined a bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general last week in suing Google for anticompetitive conduct. Yost and the states allege Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over search engines and related advertising markets through anticompetitive conduct.

“Exclusion and discrimination are by their nature anti-competitive,” Yost said. “When you add those tactics to Google’s dominance, you’re stepping on the market, not competing in it.”

Through its monopoly, Google has deprived consumers of competition that can lead to greater choice, innovation and better privacy protections.

 

LaRose Receives National Cyber Security Award for 2020 Election

On Monday, the 55th Ohio Electoral College cast their 18 electoral votes for President Trump, signifying the end of the 2020 election in Ohio. This election was the most secure election in Ohio history, thanks largely due to the preparations made by Secretary LaRose over the last two years. For this work, this week LaRose received the SANS Institute’s prestigious cybersecurity “Difference Maker” Award.
“I’m honored to receive this on behalf of hundreds of election officials throughout the state as well as our world class cybersecurity team,” said LaRose. “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance and that is why we never fall into a ‘mission accomplished’ mindset. We are not resting — we are innovating to make sure Ohio continues leading on election cybersecurity so that voters can be confident that their voice is heard.”
Ohio’s cyber security initiatives were in the national spotlight this week when Senator Rob Portman highlighted them during a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. His remarks about Ohio’s state of the art cybersecurity measures implemented at all 88 county board can be watched here.

Faber Visits Local Officials

This week Auditor of State Keith Faber was in NE Ohio, talking with mayors and finance directors about how COVID has impacted their communities and seeing what help they need as they continue to suffer the effects of the economic shutdown due to the pandemic. Auditor Faber has encouraged local governments to make funds available to help small businesses so many of which are risking closure because of the economic downturn.

Treasurer Sprague: STABLE Account Hits the 20k Mark, Sees a Record-Breaking Year

On Wednesday, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced the STABLE Account program has reached another milestone in exceeding 20,000 active accounts. The announcement comes as participation in the program has more than doubled in less than two years. 
 
Launched in 2016, the STABLE Account program makes 529-like specialized savings and investment accounts available to people living with disabilities and their families.
 
“Today’s announcement is about much more than reaching a milestone,” said Treasurer Sprague. “It represents the profound impact STABLE accounts are making in bringing independence and peace of mind to individuals and families. Despite the many challenges brought on by COVID-19, the STABLE Account program has proven to be a trusted and reliable resource for those living with disabilities to achieve financial empowerment.”
 
The enrollment announcement caps off a record-breaking year for the program. Throughout 2020, STABLE Account set new single-month, single-week, and single-day records for program enrollment.

 

Statement from ORP Chairman Jane Timken on the Casting of Ohio’s Electoral College Votes 12/14/20

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Statement from ORP Chairman Jane Timken on the Casting of Ohio’s Electoral College Votes

Columbus,OH – Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken released the following statement regarding Ohio’s Electoral College votes being cast:

“Today, Ohio’s 18 electors, including myself, will cast our state’s votes solidifying President Trump’s win in Ohio. President Trump won 3.1 million votes across the state, more than any other presidential candidate in history. As we cast our electoral votes today, we are proud to be a part of President Trump’s historic achievement. The president won Ohio by a margin of 8% for the second time in November’s election, an accomplishment that would not have been possible without the enthusiastic support of Ohio voters.”

 

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Chairman’s Update 12/13/20

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Chairman’s Update

Good Evening,

The Georgia Senate runoff elections set to take place on January 5th are races that continually deserve our attention. Nearly one month ago, some of Ohio’s Trump Victory staff went down to Georgia to help Senators Loeffler and Perdue on their path to victory. It is imperative we hold the line and re-elect conservative leaders. Republicans made great gains in the U.S. House nationally, but we still need to maintain our conservative majority in the Senate. Otherwise, we risk having radical Democrat control in all three chambers of Congress.

The fight for free and fair elections continues in Georgia. If you are interested in helping us win two very important Senate races, you can Volunteer Here! 

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

 

Portman Introduces CARA 2.0 to Increase Access to Treatment, Prevention & Bolster Fight Against Addiction Epidemic

Last week, U.S. Senators Rob Portman, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) 2.0 to increase the funding authorization levels for the Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act (CARA) programs enacted in 2016 and put in place additional policy reforms to help combat the opioid epidemic that has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. CARA was a bipartisan, national effort designed to ensure that federal resources were devoted to evidence-based education, treatment and recovery programs that work. In FY 2020, CARA programs were funded at $658 million.
CARA 2.0 builds on this effort by increasing the funding authorization levels and laying out new policy reforms to strengthen the federal government’s response to this crisis. The CARA 2.0 bill text is here, section-by-section here, and a summary here.

Governor DeWine Announces Tax Credit Approvals; First Lady Promotes Imagination Library

On Monday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced the approval of assistance for 16 projects set to create 4,183 new jobs and retain 1,051 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $240 million in new payroll and spur more than $864 million in investments across Ohio.

On Wednesday, Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine encouraged more Ohio children to enroll in Ohio’s Imagination Library Program as a new documentary about Imagination Library founder Dolly Parton premiered. “The Library That Dolly Built” is a behind-the-scenes look at the Imagination Library Program country music singer Dolly Parton started in 1995 to encourage reading to preschool children.

In 2019, the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library Program partnered with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to spread the program throughout Ohio. Partnerships and funding have been established in each of Ohio’s 88 counties, so that all children who enroll – from birth to age 5 – can receive a free book in the mail each month to help accelerate their development.

“Dolly Parton and her dedication to children’s literacy and this program is so inspiring,” said Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine. “We share a belief that the gift of reading is one of the best things you can give a child. We are proud of all the partners in Ohio that have ensured that every single eligible Ohio child can receive these books every month.”

Currently 255,672 Ohio children younger than age 5, or 35% of eligible children, receive the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library books. Nearly 2 million children worldwide receive free monthly books from the Imagination Library.

For more information about the film, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/film. To enroll children, parents and caregivers can sign up at OhioImaginationLibrary.org.

Imagination Library

Husted Announces DataOhio Portal

Lt. Governor Jon Husted and InnovateOhio, in partnership with the Department of Administrative Services and the Office of Information Technology’s InnovateOhio Platform (IOP), announced the launch of the DataOhio Portal, which offers a first-of-its kind service to Ohioans by delivering unprecedented access through an innovative, data-sharing platform.

“We’ve all learned over the past year how critical data is to tackling our biggest challenges,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “The IOP team has built a one-stop-shop for the state’s data, providing a secure approach to data access and displaying datasets that, in some cases, are available now for the first time. This collaboration will help Ohio make better public policy decisions so we can better serve the people of our state.”

 

Yost Joins Lawsuit to End Facebook’s Illegal Monopoly 

Attorney General Dave Yost joined 48 attorneys general last week to file a lawsuit against Facebook, saying the company used dominance and monopoly power to illegally stifle competition and reduce consumer privacy. The lawsuit alleges that Facebook illegally acquired competitors in a predatory manner over the last decade, depriving users of the benefits of competition, and reducing privacy protections.

“Facebook’s unchecked power has grabbed an alarming level of control over what we see, say, buy and even who our friends are,” Yost said. “It is a dangerous seduction where we, as consumers, have become the product for Facebook by controlling so many aspects of our lives.

 

LaRose to Preside Over the 55th Ohio Electoral College

On Monday, December 14, 2020 at noon, the 18 members of Ohio’s Electoral College will gather in the Senate Chamber of The Ohio Statehouse to cast their electoral votes for President and Vice-President of the United States for Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence.  You can watch the state’s 55th Electoral College At Facebook.com/FrankLaRose.

Faber Recognizes City of Niles with Auditor of State Award

After taking office in 2019, one of Auditor of State Keith Faber’s first acts was to remove the City of Niles from fiscal emergency, after years of bad bookkeeping had put the city into a dire financial situation. This week, Auditor Faber returned to honor the city with one of the highest distinctions from his office: an Auditor of State Award. Hear more about Niles’ journey from fiscal emergency to fiscal excellence by clicking here.

Sprague’s Family Forward Proposal Clears the Senate

On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate unanimously approved House Bill 405, a measure to create Treasurer Robert Sprague’s Family Forward initiative. The new program will help families to lessen the financial burdens often experience when navigating the adoption process. 
 
“Too often, families shy away from adoption when faced with the skyrocketing costs associated with it,” said Treasurer Sprague. “With the Senate’s passage of House Bill 405, we take a big step forward for Ohio’s families to alleviate some of that financial burden and help bring more children into loving homes. I thank Representative Cross, Senator Burke, and the Ohio General Assembly for their leadership and support of Family Forward.”
 

 

Chairman’s Update 12/06/20

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Chairman’s Update

Good Evening,

The Georgia Senate runoff elections will take place in just under one month. It is critical that the people of Georgia re-elect Senators Loeffler and Perdue. If they don’t, and we lose our conservative majority in the Senate, we can expect Democrats to defund the police, raise taxes, pack the courts, and radically take over our health care system. President Trump visited Georgia just yesterday to show his support and to help them hold the line.
We can continue to fight for free and fair elections and support President Trump while also showing up for our friends in Georgia. There is still time to help, and if you are interested in helping us win these two very important Senate races, you can Volunteer Here! 

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

 

60 Portman Bills Have Been Signed Into Law by President Trump

Last week, President Trump signed into law Portman’s bipartisan Information Technology Modernization Centers of Excellence Program Act , bringing the total number of laws authored or co-authored by Senator Portman in this administration to 60. After getting 68 bills signed into law during his tenure with the Obama administration, yesterday’s bill signing is just the latest in a long line of accomplishments Portman had delivered for Ohio and the country over the last four years in working with the Trump administration.

Here are some highlights of the 60 Portman bills that have been signed into law by President Trump:

  • Building a Strong Economy. In 2017, Portman helped craft the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reformed the tax code and led to economic growth and job creation across the country. The law included his Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, Stop Taxing Death & Disability Act, Seniors Tax Hike Prevention Act, as well as various amendments authored by Portman including one to protect small startup businesses’ ability to employ nonqualified deferred compensation programs for millions of employees and retirees.
  • Helping Americans Save for Retirement. In 2019, Portman championed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act which became law as a part of the final FY 2020 funding bill. The SECURE Act included reforms sponsored by Portman designed to help more Americans save for their retirement. The SECURE Act also included Portman’s Retirement Security Preservation Act, to reform pension nondiscrimination laws which prevented more than 400,000 Americans from having their pensions frozen in January 2020. Additional provisions in the bipartisan Retirement Security & Savings Act, which Portman introduced with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), were also included in the SECURE Act.
  • Protecting Taxpayers. In 2019, the Taxpayer First Act, bipartisan IRS reform legislation, was signed into law and included a number of Portman legislative priorities from his bipartisan Protecting Taxpayers Act including provisions that established an Independent Office of Appeals, strengthened taxpayers’ right to an appeal, and preserved the IRS Oversight Board.
  • Addressing Addiction Epidemic. In 2018, President Trump signed into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act which included Portman’s bipartisan Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Protection (STOP) Act to help stop fentanyl and other synthetic opioids from entering our communities via the postal system. In 2019, Portman’s bipartisan Combating Meth & Cocaine Act was signed into law, giving states more flexibility to use federal opioid funding to address the resurgence of psychostimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
  • Combating Online Sex Trafficking. In 2018, the president signed into law Portman’s bipartisan Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, which holds accountable websites that knowingly facilitate the trafficking of women and children online and ensure that victims of sex trafficking can get the justice they deserve.
  • Securing Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations. In 2020, Portman’s bipartisan Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations From Terrorism Act authorized $75 million annually for FYs 2020-2024 for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides grants to nonprofits and faith-based organizations to help secure their facilities against a potential terrorist attack was signed into law. While the bill authorizes $75 million annually for the program for the next five years, Portman joined his bipartisan colleagues in December 2019 in successfully championing the request fund the program at $90 million in the final FY 2020 appropriations agreement.
  • Strengthening Ohio’s Military Installations. In every NDAA under the Trump administration, Portman has led efforts to provide for our men and women in uniform while ensuring Ohio’s military installations have the resources they need to complete their important missions. This has included upgrades and the production of Stryker vehicles and Abrams tanks at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, construction and investments in Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and other critical investments around Ohio’s military installations.

DeWine Announces COVID Vaccine Rollout

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced details for Ohio’s first phase of vaccine distribution that is expected to begin on or around December 15.

During Phase 1, vaccine supply will be limited, and Ohio will focus on vaccinating those who wish to be vaccinated in the critical Phase 1A groups outlined below.

Vaccine Plan

The federal government has advised that the Ohio Department of Health will not know the exact number of vaccines that will be shipped to Ohio until closer to each shipment date. The current shipment figures, which are subject to change, are as follows:

  • On or around December 15, a shipment from Pfizer will include 9,750 vaccines for Ohio’s prepositioned hospital sites. An additional 88,725 vaccines will go to Walgreens and CVS for congregate care settings.
  • On or around December 22, a shipment of 201,000 vaccines is expected from Moderna. These vaccines will go to 98 hospitals for vaccination of those who are exposed to COVID patients and to 108 health departments to vaccinate other frontline workers such as those working in emergency medical services.
  • On or around December 22, another shipment is also expected from Pfizer. The tentative number of vaccines in this shipment is 123,000. These vaccines will go to Walgreens and CVS for vaccination of those in congregate care settings.
  • A few days later, Ohio expects another 148,000 vaccines from Pfizer and 89,000 vaccines from Moderna.

These vaccines will be the first dose for those in the identified critical groups. A second dose will be delivered and administered in the future. It has not been determined when members of the general public will have the option to receive vaccines. As information becomes available about the next phases of vaccine distribution, it will be made public.

Husted Announces Next Round of TechCred

On Thursday, Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the results of the October round of TechCred, which will provide the opportunity for 246 Ohio companies to upskill their current and incoming workforce with tech-focused skills. This round marks a milestone as funding for the program has now been approved for over 15,000 credentials.

“Despite the obstacles created by COVID-19, we continue to see great results coming out of the TechCred program. It is helping employers and employees adapt and prevail during very difficult economic conditions,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “This marks another milestone in upskilling opportunities that will help Ohioans earn the tech-focused skills needed to succeed in the changing workplace.”

The next TechCred application period opens Monday, January 4th and closes January 29th at 3:00 p.m. Learn more at TechCred.Ohio.gov.

 

Yost Highlights New Cold Case Unit

Attorney General Dave Yost highlighted his office’s new Cold Case Unit last week in an interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer. The unit, which is part of Yost’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, has investigators from a variety of backgrounds, including forensics and intelligence, focused on assisting departments across the state crack cold cases.

“Either everybody counts or nobody counts,” Yost said about the new unit. “If it was your son or daughter that was murdered…you’d want to know that every stone was being turned over. That’s what this unit is about. It’s about turning over every stone…Cases might go stale, but they never get cold. Maybe we should call this the Warming Up Unit.”

The unit is targeting homicide and rape cases, especially cases where evidence can be re-tested using new technology and techniques. It is also focused on assisting small and mid-size departments that are strapped for resources.

 

LaRose Visits Boards as They Complete Post-Election Audits

Mandatory post-election audits are just another reason why Ohioan’s know that our elections are trustworthy. All of Ohio’s 88 county boards of elections will complete these audits by next week to confirm the accuracy of their election.

Secretary LaRose stopped by the Montgomery, Allen and Lucas County Boards of Elections this week to review the great work they are doing to give voters the confidence that every legally cast ballot is accurately counted.

Auditor Faber Talks CARES Funding in St. Clairsville

This week, Auditor of State Keith Faber was in St Clairsville speaking with city and county officials about CARES Act. Auditor Faber has urged local governments to make money available for small businesses and those struggling to make rent. He has taken that message on the road to ensure that Ohio’s small businesses and individuals get the relief that they need.

Sprague Kicks-Off Regional Advisory Board Meetings

This week, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague convened the first meetings of his office’s regional advisory boards. The initiative brings together local leaders and elected officials from Ohio’s various regions to discuss the issues facing their communities and ways the Treasurer’s office may be helpful to them. As part of the discussion, personnel from the Treasurer’s office provided updates on investment and existing office programs.

 

Press Release: ORP Chairman Running for Re-Election

Posted on by ohiogop

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbus, Ohio
Friday, December 4, 2020

Columbus,OH – Chairman Jane Timken announced that she will be running for re-election to a third term as Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken said, “I have enjoyed leading our party over the last four years, and I hope to continue serving as Chairman of the ORP throughout 2021 and 2022. Ohio has proven to be a battleground state and I look forward to working with Governor Mike DeWine and Senator Rob Portman on their re-election efforts.”

Elected as Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party in 2017, under Chairman Timken’s leadership, Republicans witnessed statewide success in 2018 and paved the way for another drastic 8% win by the president in November’s election. Statewide, Republicans also maintained their supermajority in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate. Republicans even managed to flip a Democrat stronghold, Trumbull County, to red this cycle.

Overwhelming Republican successes across the state are a direct result of Chairman Timken’s leadership and teamwork. The Ohio Republican Party looks forward to her continued leadership.

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Chairman’s Update 11/29/20

Posted on by ohiogop
Chairman’s Update

Good Evening,

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving holiday.

President Trump continues fighting for the American people and for the integrity of our elections. Democrats disputed the results of the 2016 election for years with no evidence of any wrongdoing, and now conservatives must stand with the president as lawsuits across the country continue finding irregularities from the November 3rd election.

To offer the president your continued support, you can visit GOP.com to donate. Additionally, if you see signs of voter irregularities and fraud, you can report them here.

We must also focus our attention on the Georgia Senate races. We must maintain our conservative majority in the Senate, or else we risk the Democrats’ socialist policies taking over both chambers of Congress. The fight for free and fair elections continues in Georgia. If you are interested in helping us win two very important Senate races, you can Volunteer Here! 

 

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

 

Portman New Video Highlights Portman’s Participation in COVID-19 Vaccine Trial

A new video highlights Senator Portman’s participation in the ENSEMBLE phase 3 trial for the COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed by Johnson & Johnson and managed by CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services (CTI) at its research center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

At a time when COVID-19 cases are surging in Ohio and across the country and only about half of Americans have confidence in the upcoming vaccines, Portman felt it was important to participate in a vaccine trial to raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness while encouraging others to participate as well. In the video, he discusses the importance of the vaccines to ensure Americans feel comfortable returning to retail establishments, schools, the workplace and gathering with friends and family. Portman also applauds the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed, which has led the unprecedented development of the vaccine candidates.

The video can be found here.

DeWine Signs Certificate Appointing Trump Electors

On Thursday, Governor DeWine issued a video on Twitter wishing Ohioans a Happy Thanksgiving.

On Friday, Governor DeWine signed Ohio’s Certificate of Ascertainment, which identifies the appointed electors and final vote count in Ohio for each candidate in the U.S. Presidential Election held on November 3, 2020.

Ohio’s Certificate of Ascertainment shows the most popular votes, 3,154,834, for Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence.

“As Chief Executive of the State of Ohio, I certified today the Certificate of Ascertainment, which is a part of the electoral process in our state,” said Governor DeWine. “I want to thank Ohio voters for exercising their right to vote, as well as all of our poll workers, local election officials, and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose for a smooth democratic election process in Ohio.”

The Certificate of Ascertainment is the legal document that links the popular vote in Ohio to the electoral process. Federal law requires the Chief Executive of each state to certify the Certificate of Ascertainment.

The State meetings of the electors will be held on December 14, 2020. At the meetings, the electors vote for President and Vice President.

Under Ohio law, the candidate with the most popular votes in Ohio receives all 18 of Ohio’s electoral college votes, which will be cast by the electors:

Ken Blackwell, Bonnie Ward, Barbara Clark, Keith Cheney, Mark Wagoner, Dave Johnson, Joy Padgett, Patti Alderson, Steve Loomis, Rob Scott, Patricia Weber, Robert Paduchik, Karen Arshinkoff, James Wert, Jim Canepa, Jane Timken, Darrell Scott, Madison Gesiotto

Husted Brings Attention to Ohio Retailers

During Tuesday’s press conference, Lt. Governor Jon Husted brought attention to a newly announced initiative launched by the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants that encourages everyone to consider supporting Ohio workers this holiday season by buying from businesses based in the state — boosting economic activity.
“If we could just get 10 percent more business from Ohio consumers with Ohio businesses, that would make a dramatic impact to help our retailers,” said Lt. Gov. Husted.

 

Yost Obtains Settlement with Home Depot After Data Breach

Attorney General Dave Yost announced that Home Depot will pay a $17.5 million settlement to 45 states and the District of Columbus following a 2014 data breach. The breach exposed the credit card information of approximately 40 million Home Depot customers nationwide. Ohio will collect $656,210 through the settlement.

“The Home Depot might have the right hardware for customers but, in this case, it lacked the necessary tools to protect their information,” Yost said. “That’s now going to change with this settlement.”

In addition to the monetary settlement, Home Depot agreed to implement and maintain data security practices to strengthen its security program and safeguard the personal information of consumers.

 

LaRose Certifies Record Setting Election

This week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose certified the official results of the 2020 Presidential General Election. The Secretary’s signature Friday marked the completion of the official canvass and certifies winners for what has become an all-time record setting 2020 General Election. The 74% voter participation and nearly 6 million votes cast prove Ohio’s election was both secure and accessible.
View the official certified results at OhioSoS.gov.

Faber Wishes Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving gave us the opportunity to reflect on the many blessings we have as Americans. In spite of what the media and loud voices on social media try to portray, Americans have much to be grateful for and should look forward to the coming holiday season, surrounded by family and friends.

Sprague Announces More Savings Through OMAP

Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague recently announced that the Village of Walton Hills (Cuyahoga County) is the latest community to save money through the Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP).

“Through OMAP, communities can benefit from the state’s high credit rating to finance important infrastructure projects while saving money on interest costs. We’re proud to have Walton Hills participate in this program for the fifth consecutive year.”

Since its 2014 launch, OMAP has supported more than 190 deals, ranging from $390,000 to over $100 million. To date, the program has generated more than $3.76 million in estimated savings for local governments.

Release: https://www.tos.ohio.gov/newsroom/article/treasurer-sprague-village-of-walton-hills-announce-omap-deal-savings/