Chairman’s Update 11-24-19

Last week, U.S. Senator Rob Portman, Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), delivered opening remarks at a bipartisan hearing entitled “Securing the U.S. Research Enterprise from China’s Talent Recruitment Plans.” In his remarks, he discussed PSI’s new bipartisan report that documents how American taxpayers have been unwittingly funding the rise of China’s economy and military over the last two decades while federal agencies have done little to stop it. At the hearing, the Federal Bureau of Investigations admitted that the agency should have taken more rapid and comprehensive action in addressing China’s strategic plan to acquire knowledge and intellectual property from researchers, scientists, and the U.S. private sector through their talent recruitment programs.

To learn more, read Senator Portman’s column here, or read the Cleveland Plan Dealer’s article “China recruits researchers to steal U.S. technology, says report from Sen. Rob Portman” here.

On Thursday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the launch of a statewide virtual driver assessment program that will better equip Ohio’s new drivers with critical skills to safely navigate the roads.

Governor DeWine’s “Ohio – Ready, Test, Drive!” program will install 400 customized virtual driving assessment systems in Ohio’s 57 driver examination locations, as well as in many of Ohio’s driver training schools. The free virtual driving systems will scientifically examine student driver preparedness and help Ohio make data-driven improvements to its overall driver’s education curriculum.

Click here to learn more.

Last week, Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that his team at InnovateOhio discovered a problem in the state’s payment system that could result in some bills being paid twice. The problem has existed for some time and many claim there is an “industry standard” for duplicate payments. Lt. Governor Husted deployed a new technology tool this week that will automatically catch duplicate payments and deliver a report to budget staff so they can attempt to recover the money paid in error. So far, the new InnovateOhio tool has already uncovered over $100,000 that the state can work get back for taxpayers.

This is in addition to an exciting announcement the Lt. Governor made with Treasurer Sprague that will save taxpayers over $900,000 a year, which you can read about below.

Attorney General Dave Yost announced the success of a large-scale undercover drug task force operation that took down 59 individuals in major drug trafficking organizations last week. The investigation netted 95 ounces of methamphetamine and 109 doses of hydrocodone as well as cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and suboxone. Eight stolen firearms were also seized. The U.S. 23 Major Drug Crime Task Force, part of the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC), rooted out drug trafficking in southern Ohio.

“These drug busts were the equivalent of organized crime rings you’d see in the movies, not only taking profits, but taking lives,” Yost said.

The undercover effort encompassed the sheriff’s offices of Ross, Pickaway and Fayette counties, and the AG’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and OOCIC offices.

This week, Secretary LaRose announced another record breaking month for new business filings. LaRose joined boxing legend Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini’s podcast to explain why Ohio is ideal to start and grow new businesses.

“Ohio has a great balance,” said LaRose. “What you have here is a good quality of life with a low cost of living.”

Watch the full segment here.

This week, Auditor of State Keith Faber announced a new initiative from his office to increase government transparency. The StaRs program will require every government in the state of Ohio to be audited each year to ensure that they are complying with Ohio’s sunshine and public records laws. Those governments that fail to comply with the law will receive 0 stars, while those complying and going above and beyond to be transparent with the public will receive 1-4 stars. Click here to learn more.

On Wednesday, Treasurer Robert Sprague and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced an exciting new partnership to ensure OhioCheckbook.com remains an accessible, valued resource for years to come.

The joint initiative will see new efficiencies and cost-savings realized by leveraging more robust data management systems. Duplication will also be drastically reduced as state spending data featured on OhioCheckbook.com will be merged and aligned with the existing Ohio Interactive Budget website offered by the Office of Budget and Management, allowing for more expedient reporting of such data.

“The Ohio Checkbook empowers taxpayers and local governments by putting transparency at their fingertips,” said Treasurer Sprague. “The Treasurer’s office is committed to growing OhioCheckbook.com into the future and ensuring it’s as cutting-edge as ever before.”

Five years since its launch, OhioCheckbook.com continues to garner the interest of those hoping to learn more about how local and state tax dollars are spent. Today, more than 1,150 local government entities feature their financial data on OhioCheckbook.com.

Read more here.

Last week, the Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) took an unprecedented step and endorsed Justice Sharon Kennedy’s candidacy for re-election as Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

When asked about the endorsement Justice Kennedy said, “While this endorsement is important to me as a shooting enthusiast, it means much more than that. To me this endorsement signifies the recognition that I am a candidate that adheres to the judicial philosophy of judicial restraint. To follow the language of the United States and Ohio Constitutions and the language of the statutes as they are written, not rewrite them or legislate from the bench. Thank you BFA for your faith and trust.”

Read the whole endorsement here: https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/buckeye-firearms-association-endorses-sharon-kennedy-ohio-supreme-court-0

Justice French visited 7 counties in the past week including stops in Toledo, Cincinnati, Youngstown and Cleveland. She was also honored to participate in mPower: The Mortgage Brokers Association Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach.

Judi was also featured in an article in Attorney At Law titled “Justice Judi French; Becoming a Servant Leader”