Chairman’s Update 12-08-19

U.S. Senate Confirms Doug Cole to U.S. District Court for Southern Ohio

This week, with the support of U.S. Senator Rob Portman, the United States Senate confirmed Doug Cole to the as U.S. Federal District Court Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. This Southern District has court locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton and serves more than five million Ohioans in 48 counties. The Senate has now confirmed over 170 of the federal judges that President Trump has nominated to the bench, including two Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, 48 judges to the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, and 120 judges to U.S. District Courts.

“I applaud the Senate for confirming Doug Cole to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio,” said Senator Portman. “He is one of the most experienced and well-respected litigators in Ohio, a talented individual who believes that the job of a judge is to apply our nation’s laws and Constitution as they are written. I’m confident that he will make Ohio proud.”

Governor DeWine Announces Creation of Expedited Pardon Project

On Tuesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a new project that will expedite the process for certain former criminal offenders to apply to receive a pardon in Ohio. The Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, which will operate in partnership among the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), The Ohio State University, and The University of Akron, will simplify Ohio’s lengthy clemency process for certain rehabilitated citizens who have consistently demonstrated that they’ve become contributing members of society.

Lieutenant Governor Traveled to Michigan for Closing of Deal That Will Bring 1,100 New Jobs to Northeast Ohio

Last week, Lt. Governor Jon Husted traveled to Warren, Michigan for the closing of a deal that will bring 1,100 new automotive manufacturing jobs to Northeast Ohio. The deal between General Motors (GM) and LG Chem represents a $2.6 billion investment to establish a facility to manufacture lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. “With electric vehicles changing automotive manufacturing, today’s announcement is an important win for Ohio, because we are now positioned to play a larger role in the future of the automotive industry,” the Lt. Governor said.

Yost Announces 116 Felony Counts for Cleveland Theft Ring

Attorney General Dave Yost and Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley announced the indictments of seven individuals on 116 felony counts for their roles in an organized theft operation in northeast Ohio. The charges include grand theft, conspiracy, breaking and entering and vandalism, among others.

“These thieves fenced stolen goods across municipal lines, hoping that by spreading out their crimes, they would evade law enforcement,” Yost said. “Too bad for them we have the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, which has no boundary lines, and was able to piece it all together to get results.”

The indictments are the result of an investigation conducted by the Property Crimes Task Force, which is housed within the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, and led by the Cleveland Division of Police.

LaRose Refers 77 Suspected Non-Citizen Voters To Attorney General

This week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose identified 77 individuals who cast a ballot in an Ohio election and 277 individuals who registered to vote and who appear to be legally present, non-citizens. LaRose referred these individuals to the Attorney General’s office for further investigation and possible criminal prosecution.

“Thanks to the controls and processes of our election system, both voter fraud and voter suppression are exceedingly rare,” said LaRose. “However, neither are ever acceptable — even in rare or isolated instances. The only way to continue this high standard is by committing to enforce the law when it is broken.”

Read more about it here.

Auditor Faber Promotes Government Transparency

Auditor of State Keith Faber unveiled a new ratings system for local governments that will give each entity a grade for how well they comply with Ohio’s public record and open meeting laws. Auditor Faber has made increasing government transparency a priority in his administration. To read more about this new initiative check out this article from the Toledo Blade

Treasurer Sprague Provides Year-End Update on Ag-LINK, Aid to Ohio’s Farmers

On Wednesday, Treasurer Sprague provided a recap of this summer’s re-opening of the Ag-LINK program. Re-opened in July following the extreme weather that devastated farmers and agribusinesses across Ohio, the application period closed on November 15.

Over the course of three months, more than 150 new and reduced interest loans totaling $18.3 million were made available through the Treasurer’s office.

“I’m proud to be part of a program that, for more than 36 years, has increased opportunities for Ohio’s agriculture community to operate and thrive,” Treasurer Sprague said. “This year, Ag-LINK supported farmers and agribusinesses as they worked to curb the losses caused by unpredictable, severe weather. We’re proud to have provided this assistance during a difficult year and we’ll be ready as farmers prepare for next year’s growing season.”

A new application period for Ag-LINK is expected to open in early 2020.

You can read more here.

Justice Kennedy Finds Time to Speak to Students of All Ages

While taking to the highways, byways, and backroads of Ohio speaking to voters, civic organizations, and Republican Clubs Justice Sharon L. Kennedy always finds time to speak to – all ages – of Ohio’s youth.

At Zane Trace High School she spoke to the entire Junior and Senior student body about living your American Dream. Speaking to two American Politics classes at the University of Cincinnati Clermont County Campus she discussed the interrelated topics of the founding of America, our tripartite system of government, and the limited role the judicial branch has in that tripartite system of government.

And at the Licking County Homeschooler Clubhouse Kennedy, using her educational book, “The Ohio Judicial System & You,” she talked about how every Ohioan is connected to the judicial branch of Ohio. Taking students back-in time to the shot heard round the world through modern day she discussed the founding documents of both the United States and State of Ohio, our constitutional right to vote for judges and the inner workings of the judicial system – from Mayor’s Courts to the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Justice French Spent Her Week Traveling to 7 Ohio Counties

Justice French had a busy week where she traveled to 7 different counties across Ohio. In addition to her meetings and events, Judi spoke to two Rotaries, a women’s club and GOP lunches in Richland and Allen Counties.