Ohio Republican Party
Chairman Matt Borges Update

Greetings!

This week our Republican leaders spent their time looking for solutions and creating jobs while Ohio Democrats spent theirs advocating for more spending, higher taxes and bigger government. There is no doubt that we need to keep Republicans in office this November to keep Ohio on the right track. Help us continue Ohio's comeback.

First let's look at the Democrats' week.

FitzGerald wants bigger government, higher taxes

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald faced ridicule for his massively expensive proposals this week. Although his campaign is just beginning, FitzGerald has already proposed over $2.1 billion in new spending for projects like a city Street Car, low-speed rail, and other ideas that FitzGerald seems to throw out on a whim. FitzGerald refuses to say how he will fund these new initiatives, but his allies have made it clear: tax hikes. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Policy Matters Ohio, a Democratic think-tank, believes more spending must be financed through higher taxes.

Governor John Kasich and our Republican leadership have put the state back on the right track by filling the $8 billion budget shortfall and lowering taxes for all Ohioans. FitzGerald's policies would revert Ohio right back to where we were four years ago - staggering unemployment, massive debt, and a dismal economic environment. Ohio cannot afford to move backwards.

Turner refuses to condemn voter fraud

Back in March, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Nina Turner attended a rally where a woman convicted of voter fraud was honored. The honoree was convicted of casting multiple illegal ballots. After Republicans protested, other Democrats conceded that the woman should not have been honored, but Nina Turner remained silent. Now the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the convicted poll worker wants to be paid for work she did while committing voter fraud. This means that Turner, who has a history of celebrating voter fraud and even encouraging it, has yet another chance to condemn the woman's actions. Will she remain silent yet again and further prove why she should never be trusted with the position of Secretary of State? No surprise so far; crickets from Nina Turner on the issue.

Carney opposes Ohio report card that receives national recognition

John Carney, Democratic nominee for Auditor, voted against the new Ohio report cards that hold our schools accountable which are being praised across the country.

The Dayton Daily News reports that "Ohio was the only state in the nation to have its report card singled out for excellence by both parent reviewers and researchers, while also measuring the five indicators the researchers called most essential - student achievement, student academic growth, achievement gap closure, graduation rates, and post-secondary and career readiness."

The cards offer more data for educators to use to monitor student's progress, allows them to give parents more accurate depictions of their children's education levels, and allow students to know where they stand. Students are greatly benefiting from this new system that Carney enthusiastically opposed.

Obamacare premiums rise for Ohioans

New data released this week shows that Ohioans will be paying 13% more in the federal healthcare marketplace in 2015 thanks to Obamacare. The next open enrollment which starts November 15 and runs through February 15 will likely have an average monthly individual premium of $374.42, up from $332.58 from the previous enrollment cycle.

Lt. Governor Mary Taylor called the data "bad news" for families and businesses. "Ohio has traditionally had a very competitive insurance market, which meant our rates were lower than a lot of other states. That means that Obamacare is hitting us harder and driving our costs up significantly."

Democrat David Pepper who is running for Attorney General stated that he would have voted for Obamacare given the chance. Obviously he does not care about the cost and hardships the law is causing Ohioans. If you have an Obamacare story, please share it with us.

The bad week for Ohio Democrats culminated with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee skipping Ohio in its planned advertising buys for the fall. Even national Democratic committees are realizing the poor record and plans of Ohio Democrats.

Now let's look at the past week for Ohio Republicans.

Cleveland to get first shot at 2016 RNC Convention meeting

The Republican National Committee is headed to Cleveland June 2-4. Site selectors for the 2016 Republican National Convention will spend the three days getting a feel for the city, its arena, amenities, hotels, and transportation routes. The visit to Cleveland will be followed by Kansas City, Denver, and Dallas. You can read more about the visit here.

Senator Portman calls for accountability and transparency following Shinseki resignation

An interim report released Thursday by the Veterans Affairs inspector general showed that at least 1,700 veterans waiting to see a doctor were never scheduled for an appointment and were never placed on a wait list at the VA medical center in Phoenix, Arizona. Additionally, the report confirmed that the average wait time for those veterans on a waiting list was 115 days. Senator Portman quickly responded to the report saying, "there's clearly been a failure of leadership and demonstrates systemic problems throughout the VA." Friday morning, President Obama announced the resignation of Secretary Shinseki. Following his resignation, Senator Portman released the following statement:

"It's important we remember that this is a systemic problem throughout the VA and that simply replacing the Secretary-while necessary-is in no way sufficient to begin to eliminate the rot that has plagued veterans' healthcare. Increased transparency and accountability will be important steps to help us ensure that veterans are receiving the care they need and deserve. Veterans should be the first in line for the best care, and I'm looking forward to reviewing the full IG report and working with my colleagues to ensure we're taking care of our nation's veterans."

Senator Portman is not the only Ohio lawmaker to react to the VA scandal. Speaker John Boehner has made it his mission to hold President Obama accountable for what has happened on his watch and House Republicans are expected to take action to help straighten out the problems. Congressman Bob Latta held forums in Northwest Ohio to hear veteran's stories and offer aid.

Governor Kasich re-launches OhioMeansJobs.com

OhioMeansJobs.com has morphed into a powerful online resource for job seekers to match their skill sets with open jobs. The online database allows users to create resumes, identify possible career options, learn more about the education required for certain careers, and ultimately match users to open positions. Governor John Kasich attended an event at Columbus State Community College this week to re-launch the innovative website.

Lt. Gov. Taylor touts Ohio's oil and gas industry

Lt. Governor Mary Taylor visited a drilling site in Guernsey County recently to meet with workers and learn more about the booming oil and gas industry that is creating jobs in Ohio. Taylor suited up in coveralls, a hard hat, and safety gear to begin her tour of the large J. Hall Well Pad in Quaker City.

"I want to see what it's like to be on a rig and of course to understand the significant economic impact this is having on this region of the state," said Taylor of her tour.

Annual DeWine Ice Cream Social

Attorney General Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran, would like to invite you to their Annual Ice Cream Social on June 22nd. Since 1976, they have opened their home in Cedarville for an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social every summer. This year's Ice Cream Social will take place on June 22nd from 1pm to 5pm and everyone is invited! The event will feature live music, games, and entertainment for the kids, Young's Jersey Dairy Ice Cream, and 150 homemade pies. Mark your calendars!

When: Sunday, June 22, 2014
1:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: The DeWine Home
2587 Conley Road
Cedarville, OH 45314
Cost: Still just $5 per adult - and kids are free!

The Attorney General's office is also working to solve a 22-year old homicide case in Meigs County. It is part of his Mike DeWine's commitment to bringing justice to all crime victims and never giving up on a case.

Auditor Yost meets WWII veteran and painter of the Auditor's seal

In honor of the Memorial Day weekend, Auditor Dave Yost met with Carl Weisgerber to examine the history of the Ohio Auditor's official seal. The meeting came after an employee in the Auditor's office noticed that the official seal hanging in the office was signed by his uncle. When Yost discovered Mr. Weisgerber's identity he set out to meet the painter.

"I like the seal, because it's a symbol of the continuity of the work of the office, a work that that is greater than those who conduct it," Yost said of the art's importance.

The meeting focused on Weisgerber's full life that included fighting courageously for our country in WWII and passionately painting up until only a few years ago when his hands refused to follow his mind's direction.

Secretary of State Jon Husted Speaks at Lincoln Day Dinner

On Thursday, Secretary Husted visited the Youngstown area as keynote speaker at the Mahoning County Lincoln Day Dinner. He focused on his work to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat, thereby ensuring integrity in Ohio's system of elections.

Josh Mandel Continues Promoting Skilled Trades

Treasurer Mandel has been speaking out on the importance of manufacturing and the skilled trades through his Ohio Strong effort. His message has been heard in the Wall Street Journal, FOX Business and in op-eds across the state.

Most recently, Treasurer Mandel was in Shelby to speak at Pioneer Career and Technology Center to talk with students and teachers about the importance of skilled trade workers in today's workforce. The Shelby Daily Globe spoke with Treasurer Mandel during his visit and asked him what his advice would be to the students of Pioneer.

"Continue on this path of skilled trades. In large part, the back bone of Richland County and Ohio's economy is based in jobs with manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. I think these jobs as pipe fitters, welders, machinists, carpenters, and electricians are some of the most important jobs we have in America," he answered.

Senator Manning honored for education commitment

Ohio Senator Gayle Manning was recognized this week for her commitment to after-school programs and the students that participate in them. Manning was officially named a 'State Afterschool Champion' by the Afterschool Alliance.

"The incredible focus and dedication of Sen. Gayle Manning has benefitted countless children across Ohio," said Liz Nusken, Ohio Afterschool Network director. "Sen. Manning has continually been a champion for raising the quality of afterschool programs and played a central role in helping to shape policy and funding decisions for the state of Ohio."

You can read more about Senator Manning's work here.

Sincerely,

Matt Borges

Chairman, Ohio Republican Party