Chairman’s Update 4/12/2020

Good Evening,

To all those celebrating, I wish you a Happy Easter. Although this year’s celebration looks a little bit different than normal, we can and should still connect with our friends and family. From Zoom to Skype, there are many ways we can all keep in touch with our loved ones. I have faith that we will get through this tough season together, even while following social distancing rules, and soon this will be behind us.

I’d like to remind you all once again that voting by mail for the Ohio primary has been extended to April 28th. You can find an absentee ballot application at voteohio.gov, and you can also track your request and ballot at that same site. You can find your county slate card at ohiogop.org. It is so important that we all fulfill our civic duty by voting, even in a time like this.

Wishing you all a blessed Easter.

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

The coronavirus crisis has impacted the lives of all Ohioans. That’s why Senator Portman has been made it a priority to communicate with constituents through tele town halls and Facebook about the work he has done with the state and federal government, as well as with Ohio companies and stakeholders throughout the state to ensure Ohio has the resources it needs to respond to this unprecedented health crisis and can contribute to the national effort to slow the spread of the virus.

Here are some of the key priorities Portman has been working on during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic:

• Portman helped break through bureaucratic red tape that was preventing UC Health in Cincinnati from getting a critical cobas 6800 testing device. With this device, UC Health will now be able to process more than 1000 diagnostic tests per day in southwest Ohio, filling a key testing gap in the state;
• Portman worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure an extension for filing of claims and appeals for veterans’ compensation benefits was put in place since VA offices have been closed due to the pandemic;
• Portman worked to help get Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s major disaster declaration request approved quickly by President Trump, unlocking additional Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance and funding for Ohio;
• We successfully helped stop the Bureau of Prisons from sending new prisoners to the Elkton Federal Prison as the Ohio National Guard works to provide medical assistance to the staff and prisoners dealing with the coronavirus outbreak there, and;
• Portman helped secure swift approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to operate the Disaster Household Distribution Program in Ohio. This will allow ODJFS to efficiently and safely provide meals to foodbanks and Ohio families in need.  

Governor DeWine, State of Ohio Continue to Earn Accolades for Getting COVID-19 Response Right, “Textbook” Handling of Pandemic

Lt. Governor Encourages Ohioans Ahead of Easter Weekend

In the midst of both the health and economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 emergency in Ohio, Lt. Governor Jon Husted used some time during one of last week’s press conferences to encourage Ohioans to not give up. Quoting the book of Galatians, he reminded us that, if do not give up on doing good, we will soon reap a harvest. On Twitter he stated that “It’s Friday – but Sunday is coming.”

Yost Ramps Up Fight Against Price Gouging Amid COVID-19

Attorney General Dave Yost’s fight against price gouging took a major step forward last week with the introduction of Senate Bill 301. The legislation was introduced by Sens. Nathan Manning and Steve Wilson, and provides a market-based approach to protect buyers and sellers.

Yost’s office has received more than 400 complaints of price gouging – both online and in-person – as coronavirus ramped up in Ohio, and in-demand items such as hand sanitizer and toilet paper flew off the shelves.

“A marketplace has rules to protect both buyer and seller,” Yost said. “When predators try to turn it into a knife fight with no rules, it’s time to take the knives away. There is a difference between a free market and a free-for-all.”