Chairman’s Update 9-29-19
Good Evening,
For years now, Democrats have shown that they are more concerned with concocting lies and conducting baseless investigations than serving the American people. We saw that first hand this week. While President Trump was leading on the world stage at the United Nations General Assembly, Democrats made another desperate attempt to undermine him, rushing to judgment on a call between the President and a foreign leader before ever seeing the transcript. In an effort of full transparency, the White House took the unprecedented action to release the unredacted transcript of the July 25th call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. We will continue to work hard to make sure President Trump is handily re-elected in 2020.
Lastly, we launched our new website this week! Check it out at ohiogop.org.
Sincerely,
Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party
Portman on Fox News: Democrats’ Rush to Impeachment is Unwarranted
In an interview with Fox News’ Fox News at Night with Shannon Bream last week, Senator Portman discussed his efforts to secure the release of the security assistance to Ukraine, including his call with President Trump to push for its release. He said President Trump was focused on the need for the international community, specifically Europeans, to join in supporting Ukraine, a point with which Portman agrees. Portman said he believes there was no quid pro quo in the conversation President Trump and President Zelensky had regarding providing US military aid to Ukraine and that Democrats’ rush to impeachment is unwarranted.
His interview can be found here:
Governor DeWine Convenes Mental Health Summit Focused on Children
On Thursday, Governor DeWine and the Ohio Children’s Hospital Association co-hosted the Building Resiliency: A Pediatric Mental Health Summit in Dayton. The summit was intended to help communities support the mental health needs of their children. More than 700 participants from across the state attended the event, where they learned more about how to spot the signs and symptoms of trauma in children, and gain tangible strategies to address it from experts in mental health, health care education, and other fields.
Husted Announces Launch of Ohio’s TechCred Program
This week, Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the official launch of Ohio’s TechCred program, which Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted promised during the campaign. The program will fund the completion of up to 10,000 micro-credentials every year to help Ohioans in the incumbent workforce improve their skills so they are ready to take the next step in their career. The credentials are all short-term and technology focused to prepare Ohioans for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
AG Dave Yost: Hamilton Doctor Pleads Guilty to Pill Mill Charges
Following an investigation by Attorney General Dave Yost’s Medicaid fraud team and its partners, a Cincinnati-area doctor pleaded guilty last week to illegal distribution of controlled substances, healthcare fraud and violating the anti-kickback statute.
Nilesh Jobalia owned and operated a Hamilton pain clinic, and entered a guilty plea in federal court for trafficking drugs by means of a prescription pad and receiving kickbacks. He also pleaded guilty to billing Medicare, Medicaid and the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for medically unnecessary prescriptions. In total, Jobalia caused more than $2 million in false claims.
“This pain relief clinic was nothing more than a front for hard drug handouts,” Yost said. “Shutting the operation down is a big win for a region that’s been hit especially hard by the opioid crisis.”
 LaRose Focuses on Election Security on National Voter Registration Day
On Tuesday, Ohio celebrated National Voter Registration Day. LaRose hosted members of the press at the Franklin County Board of Elections and gave them a look at the many safeguards that exist during each stage of the elections process.
LaRose also joined up with University Student Government and College Republicans on the campus of Ohio State University to hold a voter registration drive.
The deadline to register to vote is October 7th. Register today at VoteOhio.gov
Auditor Keith Faber Meets with Small Businesses
This week, Auditor of State Keith Faber visited City Machine Technologies in Youngstown for a meeting with small business owners and members of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Auditor Faber is committed to making government more efficient, effective, and transparent so that Ohio’s citizens and businesses can thrive.
Treasurer Sprague Visits Washington, D.C.
This week, Treasurer Robert Sprague traveled to the nation’s capital. On Wednesday morning, he stopped by Capitol Hill for Senator Portman’s weekly Constituent Coffee event. Later in the day, he joined US Treasurer Jovita Carranza and state treasurers from across the country at a dinner hosted by the State Financial Officers Foundation. On Thursday, the Treasurer visited the Heritage Foundation to discuss the ResultsOHIO initiative and the ways pay for success projects can help in combating persistent public sector challenges.