May, 2011 Federal & State Subcommittee Report posted 6/8/2011

Note:  Due to the protracted Memorial day holiday, combined with constituent time, little was actually completed in May.  Good news.   The less governments do – at all levels – the less harm there is to our Republic.

Federal.

On 5/25, the Senate defeated both the Ryan budget (57-42) and the Obama budget (97-0).

On 5/26, The house passed the defense appropriations bill, including several Republican amendments.

On 5/31, the debt ceiling increase was defeated in the House.  Unfortunately, this turkey will be back.  We must be watching to make
sure that the Republican “leadership” gets a commensurate level of spending cuts to accompany the increase in the ceiling.
State

On 5/26, HB93, the prescription pill abuse action was signed into law by Kasich.

Other than that, there were only a few minor appointments to report.

April, 2011 Federal & State Subcommittee Report

5/1/11

Note:  Due to rather lengthy recess (vacation) periods not much was accomplished in April.  This is a good thing.  The less governments do – at all levels – the less harm there is to our Republic.

Federal.

On 4/2 the Republicans announced a 2012 budget that would cut spending by $4++ Trillion – over ten years.  The only problem here is that the level of cuts would only reduce the GROWTH of the debt, not actually reduce any of it.  Depending on who you read, the 2021 debt would be between $21 and 28 Trillion, if this is all we can do.  The 2012 budget needs the $4 Trillion in cuts in two years, not ten.  The budget by Paul Ryan was passed by the house, but has gone nowhere since.

On 4/5 the senate passed the bill repealing the expanded 1099 (IRS  Form) requirements in Obamacare.  Obama signed it into law on 4/15.

On 4/14, the house and senate passed the Continuing Resolution that “cut” spending by an alleged $38.5 Billion for the balance of FY11 (ending September).  It was signed by Obama.  Unfortunately, once the smoke and mirrors were removed, the actual reductions were a paltry $352 Million – a few hours worth of spending.

State

** The state employee unions had their petition to challenge SB5 approved, and they are in the process of gathering signatures.  There is little doubt that the repeal of SB5 will be on the November ballot.  Get educated on the topic so that you can formulate cogent arguments at www.sb5truth.com.

On 4/6, the senate passed the “Viability Bill”, which would essentially eliminate abortions for anyone that was twenty or more weeks pregnant.  No house action, yet.

On 4/13, HB36, which adds two additional calamity days, along with modified make up options for schools was signed into law.

Governor Kasich was sued over the constitutionality of HB1 – the “Jobs Ohio” structure.

Governor Kasich and the house are attempting to change the rules around the taxation of the casinos that were approved last year by constitutional amendment.  They want to apply the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) to every dollar wagered, as opposed to the current level of gross wagers minus payouts (gambler wins).  Lawsuits to follow

March, 2011 Federal & State Subcommittee Report

4/3/2011 -Updated

Federal.

Despite a lot of talk, and political feints from both sides, not a lot was actually accomplished during the month.

On 3/3, the house voted 314-112 to repeal the 1099 reporting requirement in Obamacare.  Unfortunately, the Senate has not yet taken this up, but there does appear to be broad support there, too.

On 3/7, the entire state of Maine was granted a waiver to Obamacare.  What is up with that?

On 3/9, HR1 (the budget bill) was voted down in the Senate.

On 3/15. The House passed a CR containing a $10B in savings.  This went thru the Senate on 3/17, and was signed by Obama on 3/18.  Please keep in mind that $10B is worth less than 3 days of borrowing, at current levels.

On 3/17, the house voted to de-fund NPR 228-192.  An almost pure party line vote.  Don’t expect this one to go any farther.

We are still waiting on the latest budget negotiations.  The fear is that Republican leadership will cave in.

Note:  On 4/2 the Republicans announced a 2012 budget that would cut spending by $4 Trillion – over ten years.  The only problem here is that the level of cuts would only reduce the GROWTH of the debt, not actually reduce any of it.  Depending on who you read, the 2021 debt would be between $21 and 28 Trillion, if this is all we can do.  The 2012 budget needs the $4 Trillion in cuts in two years, not ten.

State

There was a lot more action at the state level.

On 3/2, the senate passed SB5, the bargaining bill, by 17/16 – a narrow margin.  It took until 3/30 for the bill to be passed by the house, and the amendments to be re-approved by the senate.  It was finally signed into law by Kasich on the evening of 3/31.  Now, the unions are promising a November voter referendum on the bill.  We need to get fired up for this!

Though there are many, some significant takeaways are as follows:

1. [Taxpayer-funded] state & local governments are no longer forced to facilitate the transfer of political contributions from government employees to their unions on the taxpayers watch/dime.
2. Written consent is now required for automatic PAC deductions (from paychecks)
3. The law prohibits “fair share fees” (80% of regular union dues in Ohio) as a requirement to be a non-union member w/in an employee organization

1. a. In other words, they can opt out of the union w/o being financially punished.

1. The Law prohibits the use of ticket-based quotas to determine performance.
2. Decertification petitions now require 30% vs. 50% making it somewhat easier to decertify.
3. Joe Uecker may be at the meeting if anyone has any specific questions.

 

On 3/4 the “Common Sense Initiative” was signed into law.  I have a copy, if you want to look at it.

On 3/8, Kasich stated that there would be no $51.8 M in funding for the Cincinnati Streetcar.   This was confirmed by Wade (Transportation) on 3/23.  Unfortunately, Cincinnati is not listening.  They are now looking at “Trolley Buses” instead.

On 3/15 Debe Terhar (Please someone tell me how to pronounce this name correctly.) of the Green Twp. Tea Party was elected as the new president of the State Board of Education, in a 10-9 vote.

On 3/17, State Superintendent of Schools, Deborah Delisle, was forced out, effective 4/30.  I have no idea whether this is  good or a bad thing.

On 3/23, the Voter ID bill, which requires a driver’s license (or similar identification) was passed by the house 57-38.  This is in keeping with bills and laws in other states that seek to overturn the instant voting that has been pushed by Acorn (and similar groups) for years.

**We forgot to report last month that the State Central Committee unanimously voted for Kevin DeWine – who organized against nearly every tea party member running in a primary -  to continue as Chairman of the Ohio GOP.

Join this committee! Email contact information to: publius@clermontteaparty.org

*Monitor and study state and federal government issues.

*Seeing it coming, seeing it now, looking back.

*Communicate with and engage elected officials.

*Educate and encourage citizen involvement.