Chairman’s Update 5/31/20

Chairman’s Update

Good Evening,

Ohio cities are experiencing what many others across the nation are facing. Through it all, Governor DeWine has been a reliable, unifying leader once again. The intended dialogue and peaceful message protestors initially tried to get out was unfortunately overshadowed by a minority of people wanting to cause destruction. I applaud the Governor’s swift reaction and actions taken to protect all Ohioans across the state. I am hopeful that these actions allow our city, state, and nation to move forward and heal together as a country united.

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

 

In Dayton, Portman Visits the National Aviation Heritage National Historic Park Area as the Senate Prepares to Act on Bipartisan Parks Legislation

Last Friday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman visited Dayton’s Aviation Heritage National Historic Park to see firsthand the deferred maintenance needs and to discuss his bipartisan Restore Our Parks Act that the Senate will soon consider to address the nearly $12 billion backlog in long-delayed maintenance projects at the National Park Service.

Portman applauded Majority Leader McConnell’s announcement that the Senate will consider S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act, landmark legislation to address the deferred maintenance backlog across the federal land management agencies and to provide permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, in June. The Great American Outdoors Act includes Portman’s bipartisan Restore Our Parks Act, which will help tackle the more than $100 million in deferred maintenance needs at Ohio’s eight national park sites, including more than $3.5 million in unmet maintenance needs at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park including building, landscape, and exhibit improvements.

Governor DeWine Deploys National Guard to Support Cleveland, Columbus

This weekend, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine deployed Ohio National Guard resources to Columbus and Cleveland in order to “drive out hate and violence and help instill order.”
“We do this today so that love and kindness, compassion and peace can triumph over hate and violence,” Governor DeWinestated in his remarks.

Husted Announces Re-Start of TechCred Upskilling Program

Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as the Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, last week announced that the TechCred program has been retooled to help Ohioans get new skills and move their careers forward as the economy recovers during the coronavirus. TechCred works with Ohio employers to fund current and prospective employees’ training in technology-related fields in order to qualify them for positions in growing industries. The next round of TechCred applications begins on June 1st. Visit TechCred.Ohio.gov to learn more.

Yost: BCI Handling Investigation of Critically Wounded Officer

Attorney General Dave Yost’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the shooting of a Columbus Police officer during a multi-jurisdictional drug task force raid last week. The raid was the result of a long-term investigation that determined a substantial amount of drugs and drug money had been trafficked from a house in Northeast Columbus.

The officer was moved from critical to stable condition, and is reportedly doing well. The federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives will handle filing charges against the suspect.

“Our prayers go out to this officer who was wounded in the line of duty,” Yost said. “We pray for a quick recovery. I want to express my gratitude to all the law enforcement officers that responded to this sting, both during the initial entry as well as the subsequent investigation.”

LaRose Certifies 2020 Presidential Primary Election Results

This week, Secretary of State Frank LaRose certified the official results of the 2020 Presidential Primary Election.

Taking the lessons learned from this primary election, Secretary LaRose has proposed some small changes to election law that provide for a safe, secure, and accessible election this November. The improvements will protect Ohioans‘ access to in-person person voting on Election Day, in addition to absentee and early voting.

Auditor of State Keith Faber Provides CARES Act Update for Ohio Townships

This week Auditor of State Keith Faber hosted conference calls with township officials from across Ohio. Auditor Faber urged them to properly record and track all money they receive from the federal government, ensuring that they put it to good use for the taxpayers the monies are intended to assist.

Sprague Announces New STABLE Account Partnership

On Thursday, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced that Lake County has become the first county in Ohio to provide its employees the option to set-up recurring direct deposits from their paychecks into STABLE Accounts either for themselves or a qualifying family member. STABLE accounts are specialized savings and investment accounts for people living with disabilities that allows them to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain means-tested benefits. Last year, Treasurer Sprague‘s office entered a similar partnership with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services to allow state employees to utilize the direct deposit option.

Participation in STABLE Account grew by 51% during Sprague‘s first year in office, and the program recently hit another milestone with the opening of its 16,000th account.

Justice Kennedy Hits 20 Counties This Week
Justice Sharon L. Kennedy continued delivering her yard signs while taking meetings with Chairmen and County Coordinators for Kennedy for Ohio. Traveling to 20 counties, Sharon began her week in the southeastern part of the state, making her way down to Ohio’s most southern region, and rounded out her week up in Northeast Ohio.
“It is great to be back on the road, connecting with the local Republican Party leaders, our dedicated volunteers, and Ohioans,” said Sharon. “I am grateful for the volunteers across the state helping me blanket Ohio in Kennedy yard signs and literature, and telling voters who I am – a strong constitutionalist who will uphold the law as it is written, not to rewrite or legislate from the bench. Thank you to those who are spreading my message.  I look forward to seeing you again as we walk, knock, and talk across Ohio!”
Justice French Instructs Lawyers on How to Prepare Virtual Arguments

With the pandemic, Ohio’s lawyers and judges are finding new ways to administer justice, often relying on remote hearings and arguments. Justice French has instructed hundreds of lawyers around the state on how to prepare and deliver an effective virtual argument. She’s also written an article on the topic available at www.attorneyatlawmagazine.com