 Chairman’s Update
Good Evening, Ohio’s new primary date is quickly approaching. It has been a challenging time for us all in dealing with COVID-19, and especially so during such an important primary season and election year. I am grateful for our Ohio leadership that adamantly supported postponing the election in the name of health and safety protocols. Thank you to everyone who continued to participate in our election process, and for fulfilling your civic duty in such uncertain times. If you have not yet turned in your absentee ballot, you can still do so. You can hand it in directly to your local county board of elections until the evening of April 28th, or have your ballot postmarked tomorrow, April 27th, and send it in the mail. The Trump Campaign recently launched a new mobile app that allows Americans across the country to register for Trump rallies, check-in to events, contribute, receive campaign news and earn rewards. You can follow this link to sign up with your phone number and download it onto your mobile app store. You can also visit your mobile app store and search for ‘Official Trump 2020 App’ to find it. Help us continue to Keep America Great! Sincerely, Jane M. Timken
On Fox Business, Portman Discusses Need for More Testing to Reopen the Economy Successfully In an interview with Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria last week, Senator Portman discussed the additional rescue funding that passed the Senate last week, which will provide additional resources to help American families, workers, health care providers, and small and mid-sized employers around the nation during this coronavirus pandemic. The legislation will increase loan capacity for small businesses, provide needed resources for health care providers, and increase testing capacity. The legislation awaits passage by the U.S. House of Representatives. Portman also highlighted that in order to restore our economic health, we must first accelerate the public health response, significantly expand our testing capability, and develop a credible system of metrics to measure success in combating the coronavirus. Ultimately, when we start to see the number of new cases decline, it will give the public greater confidence that we can begin to reopen the economy and stay open. His interview can be found here. Governor DeWine Announces Expanded COVID-19 Testing to “Isolate,” “Kill” Coronavirus Ohio Governor Mike DeWine this week made several announcements about state preparations as Ohio prepares to start reopening on May 1st. DeWine appointed a strike force, co-chaired by former Governor Bob Taft, to help Ohio acquire testing supplies and reagent. The group’s work led to an announcement Friday that two companies with Ohio ties will be producing swabs and reagent so Ohio can ramp up to an expected 18,000 tests per day by May 7th. Testing and contact tracing will allow Ohio to be aggressive to “isolate” and “kill” COVID-19, as Ideastream summarized: “DeWine: Ohio To Expand Testing, Tracing To ‘Isolate’ And ‘Kill’ COVID-19.”
Husted Begins Rolling Out Plan to Re-Open Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted last week began laying the groundwork for the plan to restart Ohio’s economy. The Lt. Governor emphasized that the state’s plan will include safety precautions so that Ohioans can continue to feel safe while also allowing businesses to restart and get Ohioans back to work. More details on the state’s plan will be released this week. Dave Yost Protects PPE from Price Gouging, Secures Refunds Attorney General Dave Yost announced a Cleveland-area man accused of hoarding N95 respirator masks and selling them online for a 1,800% markup will refund more than $15,000 to those who purchased masks from him, and reimburse the state for $1,500 in investigative costs as part of a settlement. Mario Salwan also agreed under the settlement to transfer 570 N95 masks to the Attorney General’s Office. Yost’s office has donated these lifesaving masks to the MetroHealth System in Cleveland, and to the health care professionals who alerted the Attorney General’s Office to the price gouging scam. “We will continue to make sure no one unjustly profits by exploiting the anxiety of others during this pandemic,” Yost said. “The settlement also will provide essential equipment to the heroes – our doctors and nurses – who need it the most.” Ohioans who suspect price gouging related to COVID-19 and unfair business practices should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 1-800-282-0515. Notable Ohioans Join LaRose in Encouraging Ohioans to Cast Ballots Secretary of State Frank LaRose is calling on Ohio voters to return their vote-by-mail ballots before Tuesday’s deadline. Ohioans from around the state including sports stars, university presidents, and others have joined LaRose in this important call-to-action.
Remember, Ohioans have until April 27th to postmark their ballots, but they can also be dropped off at the secure monitored dropbox found at each county board of elections by 7:30pm on April 28th. Find more information at VoteOhio.gov!
Auditor Faber Discusses COVID Impact with Ohio Cities and Villages
This week Auditor of State Keith Faber spoke with mayors and city fiscal officers from across Ohio to hear how they were preparing for the financial downturn caused by the COVID pandemic. Auditor Faber offered assistance of his office to any entity that believes the current crisis will force them to the brink of fiscal caution or emergency.
Treasurer Sprague Addresses Beavercreek Rotary Virtual Meeting On Friday, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague served as keynote speaker
during the Beavercreek Rotary’s weekly meeting. Like many organizations across Ohio, the rotary has transitioned to virtual meetings amid the COVID-19 situation. Treasurer Sprague offered the group an update on the Treasurer’s office and the various ways it’s working to support hospitals, businesses, and job creators during a time of unprecedented challenges. Justice Kennedy Holds Virtual Meeting with Northeast Ohio Pastors
Recently, Justice Sharon L. Kennedy virtually met with a group of faith based leaders from Northeast Ohio who asked questions about her background, her journey to the court, and her work both on and beyond the court. Emphasizing that she is the least likely person to rise to Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Sharon shared her pathway from childhood to law enforcement. And that the great equalizer in her life was serving as a police officer which led her to realize what she perceived as a limitation – her family’s socio-economic status – did not matter. What did matter was her drive to achieve her next dream, serving as a solo practitioner. Using her education and experience, she served as a criminal defense attorney, serving both adult and juvenile clients, and handled a wide-array of cases affording her the ability to practice in courts throughout Butler County. Her time in private practice led her to develop youth programs, work as a Magistrate, and serve on the Alcohol Drug Addiction Services Board. She continued by sharing her 14 years of service as a trial court judge at Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. Her work included fostering access to justice through the pro se forms and instructions materials offered at the court, and working with Jobs and Family Services to develop a Non-support Program. The Non-support Program was designed to help those people who had a child support order, but faced obstacles and hurdles to gain employment and earn a livable wage. When asked about her experience with pro se litigants, Sharon stated that at the trial court a high percentage of litigants could not afford counsel and a high percentage of people seeking review of their cases by the Supreme Court of Ohio do so without the benefit of counsel. “What I find rewarding about what I do,” Sharon said, “is making sure the law is applied equally to all.” In closing, Sharon thanked the group for their interest in her candidacy and that she looked forward to in-person meetings in the near future. Justice French Interacts with Supporters, Supports Small Businesses
Justice French spent the week interacting with supporters online and supporting small businesses in Central Ohio. She had virtual meetings with several groups throughout Ohio, including the Lucas County Republican Women and Ohio Young Republicans. Judi also visited Preston Family Farms in Canal Winchester for some farm fresh eggs and chicken. Preston Farms is a 4-H project farm where the young farmers raise poultry among other things. They’re a member of the Fairfield County Farm Bureau and their products are fantastic. |