Chairman’s Update 6/21/20

Chairman’s Update

Good Evening,

On Tuesday, President Trump said, “We need to bring law enforcement and communities closer together, not to drive them apart.” In a time where there is much division across our nation, President Trump’s words ring true. Our communities need to work together to heal the divide that has overwhelmed American cities throughout the past few weeks, and the president’s executive order aims to do just that.

The measures mentioned in Tuesday’s order, like focusing more heavily on mental health, homelessness and addiction, will allow police officers to work alongside social workers and other community counterparts, who are better equipped to respond to those types of situations. President Trump’s leadership on this matter will allow trust to be restored in our communities, and will give those who come into contact with police better access to the services that will make a difference in their lives.

By listening and responding to Americans as our nation endures a tough time, President Trump has once again proven he is a leader for all who call our great nation home.

As restrictions have loosened, hopefully you can all celebrate the dads, grandpas, and other men in your lives today. Wishing a Happy Father’s Day to them all!

Sincerely,

Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party

 

On CNBC, Portman Highlights Need for Return-to-Work Bonus & New Bipartisan Legislation to Stop Theft of U.S. Research & IP

On CNBC’s Squawk Box, Senator Portman highlighted his proposal to incentivize individuals to return to the workplace, which will be critical to a robust economic recovery as the country continues to reopen. He highlighted his proposal of providing $450 a week for individuals returning to work, meaning they’d receive their wages plus this $450 bonus.

Portman believes this proposal would ensure that there are as few situations as possible where staying on unemployment is more lucrative than returning to work. According to recent research from the American Action Forum and from the University of Chicago, between 60-70 percent of individuals currently on unemployment are making more than they did in their prior job thanks to this federal supplement.

In addition, Portman also discussed his bipartisan Safeguarding American Innovation Act, which will crack down on the theft of intellectual property at federally funded research institutions and universities by China and America’s global competitors. Portman, as chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), led a year-long investigation into this issue culminating in a bipartisan report and hearing that detailed how American taxpayers have been unwittingly funding the rise of China’s military and economy over the last two decades while federal agencies have done little to stop it. Starting in the late 1990s through its “talent recruitment programs”, China began recruiting U.S.-based scientists and researchers to transfer U.S. taxpayer-funded IP to China for their own economic and military gain. This legislation is the product of that investigation and will ensure that the federal government is taking decisive action to safeguard American innovation.

Watch the interview here.

 

Governor DeWine Continues Work to Improve Law Enforcement

On Wednesday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Attorney General Dave Yost announced the following actions and proposed legislative reforms aimed at making meaningful improvements to law enforcement training, transparency, and accountability.

The proposed reforms were developed with feedback from the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, Ohio Conference of NAACP, Ohio Chiefs of Police Association, Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and others.

Conversations regarding additional actions to improve Ohio’s overall criminal justice system will continue and more reforms are anticipated in the future.

WLWT-TV in Cincinnati summarized the proposals:

DeWine proposes numerous police reform measures, including ban on chokeholds

Husted Talks Ohio’s Return to Prosperity

Lt. Governor Jon Husted this week touted Ohio’s new unemployment numbers that show Ohioans are getting back to work as the state continues fighting the global coronavirus pandemic. Ohio’s unemployment rate dropped nearly 4% in the last month and unemployment claims have tapered off as businesses safely reopen and Ohioans are returning to their jobs and finding new opportunities. The Lt. Governor also was named the Small Business Advocate of the Year by the Northeast Ohio economic development driver, the Greater Cleveland Partnership.

AG Yost Sues Price Gougers Profiting Off COVID-19

Attorney General Dave Yost is suing an Athens couple accused of hoarding hundreds of bottles of hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic and selling them online at a 1,000% markup. The couple tried to profit off of the in-demand item, and raked in more than $26,7000 from the sale of 600 Purell hand sanitizer products in February and March. Yost’s office is asking the court to grant an order requiring the Athens couple to reimburse affected customers and pay civil penalties.

“This is appalling behavior and should be answered in a court of law,” Yost said. “Even more, it points out the need for a specific price-gouging law.”

Earlier this year, State Senators Nathan Manning and Steve Wilson introduced legislation drafted in partnership with Yost’s office to establish consumer price-gouging protections in Ohio.

LaRose Secures Big Win for Ohio Voters

This week, the Ohio legislature approved the use of federal funds for the Ohio Secretary of State’s office to send absentee ballot requests to every registered Ohio voter.

This is a major step toward LaRose’s plan to ensure Ohioans can have a safe and normal election in November with the in-person, early and absentee voting options voters have come to expect.

Voters can register to vote and learn how to request their absentee ballots today by visiting VoteOhio.gov.

Auditor of State Keith Faber Releases Resources for a Local Government 

This week Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office unveiled a new website designed to assist local governments as they work to combat the effects of the COVID crisis on their budgets. As our communities look to fill budget holes to keep public safety appropriately funded and to maintain important public services, this website will be important in guiding officials through how to do so in accordance with federal guidelines. You can check it out by visiting

Sprague Announces More Savings Through the OMAP Program

On Thursday, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced the City of Kirtland (Lake County) has qualified for approximately $7,200 in interest cost savings through the Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP). OMAP is a credit enhancement program that leverages the state’s excess liquidity and high short-term credit rating to help improve market access and lower borrowing rates for local governments. The City of Kirtland is using the program to assist with multiple projects including the purchase of vehicles for the city’s service department, street improvements, and sewer and resurfacing work.
 
“The Ohio Market Access Program puts the state’s excess liquidity and high credit rating to work for our local governments,” said Treasurer Sprague. “For five years, Kirtland has utilized OMAP, and we’re proud of the savings generated for the city. We look forward to continuing to support them as they navigate the municipal bond market.”

Kennedy Wishes a Happy Father’s Day 
Today we celebrate our fathers. Honoring the time, love, and lifetime of sacrifices they devote to us each and every day.
Although my father passed, I am reminded of him daily. As I travel the highways and byways of Ohio, I am constantly stumbling across old time diners, and ice cream shops that he would have loved. And every day, I live life according to his three rules – decide and commit, work hard, and have fortitude.
Dad instilled within me that I could do and be anything, and I am the woman I am because he never let me forget that.
Take time to thank your dad for his sacrifice, support, and unconditional love. Celebrate your fathers, your uncles, your brothers, and your husbands. To all the fathers and father figures, thank you for instilling wisdom, love and strength into each generation. Thank you for being you.  Happy Father‘s Day!
Justice French Travels to Nelsonville, OH to Visit Rocky Brands

This week, Justice French traveled to Nelsonville, the home of Ohio- proud Rocky Brands. She visited with Chairman Mike Brooks and the Rocky Brands leadership team. The company is a great example of American tradition, ingenuity, and work ethic, a real credit to Ohio and the nation.