Chairman’s Update 12-15-19
Good Evening,
Republicans had a major win this past week when House Democrats finally agreed to back a new version of the USMCA trade deal. Once Democrats saw their sham impeachment proceedings backfire, they decided it was time to stand with the president in putting America first. Once passed, this trade deal will spur economic growth, create new jobs and increase wages, bringing our relationship with Canada and Mexico into the 21st century. This is a huge victory for President Trump, Ohioans, and Americans across the country.
On Monday, I will be filing for President Trump to be on the ballot for Ohio’s primary election so that we can continue to Keep America Great!
Sincerely,
Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party
On CNBC, Portman Highlights Importance of Passing USMCA to Strengthen Economy & Create Jobs
In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box last week, Senator Rob Portman highlighted the economic benefits of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Agreement, which will strengthen our economy and support American workers, farmers, and manufacturers. Portman supports the USMCA because it will create new jobs, expand opportunities for agricultural trade, encourage new opportunities for auto jobs in America, and add a new section on digital trade to make online sales easier. Portman has actively called for Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats to bring USMCA to a vote in the House and he released a statement on the announcement that a deal has been reached to bring USMCA to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives.
His interview can be found here.
Governor DeWine Signs Human Trafficking, Veterans Bills; Discusses President Trump’s Re-Election with Fox Business
On Thursday, Governor DeWine signed two bills: Senate Bill 5, which strengthens penalties for those convicted of promoting human trafficking; and Senate Bill 77, which designates June 12 as Women Veteran’s Day. Earlier in the week, Governor DeWine discussed both President Trump’s reelection efforts in Ohio, as well as General Motors Company’s partnership with LG Chem to create 1,100 new jobs in the Lordstown-area with Stuart Varney on Varney & Co. on Fox Business. 
Husted Launches Tool to Attract Students to In-Demand Occupations
Last week, Lt. Governor Husted announced the launch of Ohio’s updated list of In-Demand Jobs. The list helps direct the investment of federal workforce training funds to industries and positions with the greatest need for trained workers. The Lt. Governor’s InnovateOhio program also designed a new online dashboard for the list to make it more useful to Ohioans looking for the right career path. It also provides a powerful new tool for guidance counselors and career counselors to help would-be students and trainees. You can view the new list and tools at TopJobs.Ohio.gov.
AGs Yost and Nessel Lead Bipartisan Coalition to Fight Fentanyl
Attorney General Dave Yost and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel were joined by all 56 attorneys general last week in calling for Congress to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a temporary scheduling order last year, which allows federal law enforcement to bring criminal actions against those who handle, manufacture or distribute fentanyl-related substances. The classification is set to expire in less than two months.
In the bipartisan letter, Yost and Nessel urge Congress to pass S. 2701, the Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting (FIGHT) Fentanyl Act, which was introduced by Sen. Rob Portman and Joe Manchin.
“Fentanyl is a catastrophic killer that warrants a spot in the top tier of deadly drugs,” Yost said. “If this dangerous, highly addictive opioid isn’t a Schedule I drug, then why even have drug classifications?”
LaRose’s efforts to combat voter fraud receive national attention
This week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose referred 18 individuals to prosecutors for allegedly voting twice in the 2018 election. Through a multi-state partnership program called ERIC, LaRose was able to identify voters who appear to have cast ballots in two states and hold them accountable.
“These are small numbers out of a state of 7.6 million registered voters, but there’s no such thing as an acceptable level of voter fraud,” said LaRose.
This week, Ohio received national attention for LaRose’s work combating voter fraud. Check out this article in RealClearPolitics for more.
Auditor of State Keith Faber Visits All 88 Counties in First Year
After being sworn in, Auditor of State Keith Faber made a promise to visit every county in the state and seek feedbacks from citizens on how Ohio can be more efficient, effective, and transparent. Last week, Auditor Faber held a meeting in his 88th county, fulfilling his promise. In his first year alone, Auditor Faber has had over 100 meetings with local elected officials and citizens to identify opportunities to improve our state.
Sprague Touts Priority Initiatives, First Year in Office
On Thursday, Treasurer Sprague was in Canton to take part in the latest Impact Ohio regional conference. During his remarks, Sprague highlighted his first year in office, provided details about recently announced initiatives involving adoption and the Ohio Checkbook, and touted the various ways the Treasurer’s office is supporting local governments across Ohio.
Christmas Breakfast to OMA Endorsement – Justice Kennedy Celebrates a Great Week
Justice Sharon L. Kennedy began her week as the keynote speaker at the Champaign County Christmas Breakfast. Instead of a traditional political a speech – she delivered a message of hope.
Speaking about the founding documents she highlighted the references to God in the Declaration of Independence and the ardent protection of religious liberty in the First Amendment and the Northwest Ordinance. Kennedy then discussed the National Republican Party Platform pledge to protect and defend religious liberty and her own life of faith from a small child to today – being able to worship in the religion and church of her choice.
Justice Kennedy reminded everyone that there is much to be grateful for. “We should be grateful for America, grateful for our liberty and freedom and for those who protect it, and grateful for religious freedom – Merry Christmas,” she said.
Sharon’s week ended with the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association announcing their board’s unanimous endorsement for her re-election to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
“The court can have a tremendous impact on the business climate in Ohio, and Justice Kennedy is the right choice for Ohio’s manufacturers and businesses,” said OMA-PAC Chairman Billy Vickers, president and CEO of the Dublin, Ohio-based manufacturing firm Modular Assembly Innovations – Great Lakes Assemblies (MAI-GLA). “She is committed to upholding the Ohio Constitution and strictly interpreting the law, not legislating from the bench. We encourage Ohioans to vote for Justice Kennedy.”
Justice French Files for Re-Election
Justice French filed for re-election this week after collecting signatures from thousands of Ohioans across the state.