I want to congratulate my Ohio state representative from Medina. Under Speaker Bill Batchelder’s leadership, the Ohio House passed a revised version of Gov. John Kasich’s budget late last week, and the legislation will now move to the Ohio Senate.

After weeks of hearings and hours of floor debate, the Republican-controlled Ohio House gave its approval to an amended version of Kasich’s $55.5 billion-plus biennial budget.

The final vote Thursday was a party-line 59-40. It seems to me that Democrats in the House simply want our state to continue down a road of fiscal destruction — as long as the unions that support them are getting their way.
Rep. Ron Amstutz, a Republican from Wooster and chairman of the House Finance Committee, said the 4,000-plus-page bill sets a foundation for the state’s future economic growth. I would have to say that in the past few weeks and recent months, we have seen our new governor woo many large Ohio businesses to keep their jobs here in our state and not move them away. These represent business decisions based on the economic direction these businesses see our new state administration going in. I applaud our new governor and the Ohio House for having the courage to make the tough decisions needed to move Ohio in a direction that will restore our economic prowess.

I see this as a responsible budget because it achieves our three primary objectives: It avoids imposing tax increases on an economy still in a fragile early recovery; it solves the lingering structural budget gap that developed two years ago and has been filled with temporary, one-time funding sources; and it maintains as much as possible the three core priorities that are funded by our state budget: education, prisons and health care for underresourced Ohioans.

The House version included most of Kasich’s original priorities — the transfer of the state’s liquor operations to fund the new JobsOhio nonprofit economic-development group, the preservation of a state income-tax cut and numerous reforms to Medicaid and other programs aimed at controlling costs while still serving needy Ohioans.

Republicans also attempted to soften decreases in state funding for local governments and school districts, stopping the phase out of some payments after the next biennium and providing incentives for local officials to consolidate their administrative or business functions.

In all, it is refreshing to me to see our new administration working with the people in order to effect a much-needed change in Ohio.

Jeffery Bertram, Medina

Stimulating job creation and growth while simultaneously reining in an $8 billion state deficit are at the top of the priority list of both candidates running for the Ohio 69th House District seat.

The candidates approach to meeting those goals could not be more different, however.

“Ohio is heading for quite a crisis — unfortunately we did not have the focus on job creation in the last session that we should have,” said incumbent 69th House Representative Bill Batchelder. “We sent 20 bills addressing job creation and expansion, but we should have been cutting back more on the appropriations level than we were, but as the minority party, we had no control over that.”

Batchelder, who has been mentioned as a possible choice for Speaker of the House should the Republicans Party gain control, is serving the second term of his second time in the house. He previ´ously served for 30 years up until 2008, when term limits forced him to give up the seat. He has also served as a judge on the Medina County Common Pleas Court and the Ninth District Court of Appeals.

Addressing the deficit, which now accounts for roughly 20 percent of the entire state budget, will be a “huge problem” facing the next House of Representatives in their first six months, Batchelder said, adding that several tough battles must be waged to meet this goal. He pointed specifically to seeking Federal waiers for participation in the

Medicaid program, potentially via offsets for indigent services provided at facilities like MetroHealth Medical Center.

“There are all kinds of things like that which we haven’t done a good job of cataloguing,” Batchelder said. “And the Federal government has arbitrary authority over granting waivers.”

Batchelder also supports looking at the privatization of some medical services now done by public employees.

“Many of these services are now done by people who are being paid higher than those in the private sector,” Batchelder said. He did not, however, indicate specifically which public-sector jobs he would consider making cuts to, or how many of those jobs would be impacted by such a move.

“We will be holding a lot of hearings and we will have to solve it in six months, when the budget must be in,” he said.

On the growth side of the equation, Batchelder said enhancing the state’s Department of Development by encouraging the direct input of participation of business owners is key to job growth.

“We are competing with Indiana and their economy is growing,” Batchelder said. “It doesn’t help that our Department of Development has been through three or four directors in the same number of years. But we have got to get guys in there from successful businesses who can tell us what they need. National Cash Register is a company that was here for 100 years and now they are in Atlanta – shouldn’t we find out what companies like that need instead of having the government tell us what they need?”

To provide an immediate shot in the state’s economic arm, Batchelder said there should be more of a focus on the needs of industries such as medical and metalworking.

“We are starting to see a real philosophical difference between those who feel the government can create jobs and those who feel that only the private sector can,”

Batchelder said. “These ‘green jobs’ are generational, they are not something that will be ready next week or even next year. All of these things are planned for the future — there are a lot of ribbons being cut but not a lot of production. You can’t starve on your way to the green job.”

Batchelder said Medina County is particularly poised to play a major role in this short-term recovery focus.

“When we create the jobs, it’s also important to have people trained to do them,” he said. “So again, we have to find out from the business community what those needs are, then use or facilities — such as the Akron University branch and the Medina County Career Center — for that training.”

That sort of business focus has begun to resonate with an increasingly weary electorate, in Batchelder’s view.

“I think people are not so much looking for hope and change as nuts and bolts – that maybe we need to be more business focused in order to put this economy back together,” he said. “We haven’t had control of the

House for the last two years and it’s been malfunctioning, we had 109 session scheduled and held 49.”

Batchelder said that in spite of the fact that Ohio is in “the worst shape since the Depression” economically, having such a focus will turn around the state’s fortunes.

“We need people who will roll up their sleeves to do the legislative work that needs done,” he said. “There is no doubt in my mind we are in the position to do that.”

Why him? Thanks to term limits, the Ohio General Assembly usually suffers from an acute case of amnesia. Fortunately, Batchelder, who previously served as a state representative for more than 30 years, ably fills the void. Expected to be the next speaker of the House should Republicans prevail Nov. 2, Batchelder is amiable but tough-minded. He promises to get to work right-sizing the budget, to mandate more performance audits of departments and to hold evening committee meetings so the public can attend. It would be a most welcome trend.

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Political Action Committee (OMA-PAC) has announced its endorsement of State Representative William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) in his candidacy for the 69th District Ohio House race for the upcoming November election.

“Our goal is to help elect the most qualified candidates to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing,” said OMA president Eric Burkland. “With today’s endorsement, we’ve taken an important step in accomplishing that goal. Rep. Batchelder supports the issues that are important to Ohio manufacturers and their employees and understands that a strong manufacturing sector leads to a healthier economy, good jobs and improved quality of life for all Ohioans. We are pleased to support him.”

Candidate endorsements are made by the OMA-PAC board of directors based on a variety of information including public records and member support in the district.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the support of the OMA-PAC,” said Batchelder. “Their work to keep our state’s manufacturing industry strong is vital to Ohio’s economy and our future. I look forward to working closely with them in the next General Assembly to create jobs for our community.”

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association is a volunteer-driven organization of more than 1,500 large-, medium- and small-sized member companies that serves as the voice of manufacturers in the Ohio General Assembly and before state regulatory agencies. The OMA’s mission is to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing. Learn more at www.ohiomfg.com.

Before serving for seven years as a common pleas and appeals court judge, William Batchelder spent three decades in the Statehouse, until he ran into term limits. The Medina Republican restarted his legislative career in 2006, winning in the 69th Ohio House District in northern Medina County. A Republican takeover of the House would position the veteran to become speaker, one of the most powerful positions in state government.

Batchelder’s conservatism is tempered by years in the House. Besides institutional knowledge, he brings a willingness to work across the aisle, pushing aside political ideology to confront shared problems. His leadership was crucial, for example, to passage of a bill increasing regulation of predatory lenders.

We recommend the re-election of William Batchelder on Nov. 2.

Batchelder’s campaign is focused now on education and job creation. He advocates protecting schools from budget cuts and using them to expand job retraining. To find the resources, he would create incentives for districts to centralize their administrative functions, pushing dollars into the classroom. He also would examine longstanding tax exemptions, credits and deductions as a possible source of additional revenue to close the looming budget deficit.

Once again, Batchelder’s Democratic opponent is Jack Shira. A retired Air Force officer and former aerospace engineer, he has served as a Brunswick Township trustee. Shira has criticized Batchelder’s conservative stands, as has this editorial page. Where the Shira critique erodes is its failure to note when Batchelder’s legislative skills and spirit of compromise have advanced the state as a whole.

SHARON TWP.— Prompted by debate in the township, state Rep. Bill Batchelder has intro­duced a bill that would revise regulations on the construc­tion and use of anhydrous ammonia tanks in Ohio.

Batchelder, R-Medina, said House Bill 583 would change regulations written in 1978 and require all systems built in Ohio conform to the federal Department of Homeland Security guidelines.

“Given the changes in society and the mod­ernization of the agriculture industry since 1978, it is imperative that these regulations be updated to reflect the times we live in,” Batchelder said.

Batchelder said the bill was prompted by debate over a controversial permit that will allow the installation of a 12,000-gallon anhy­drous ammonia storage tank at South Springs Farm on Beach Road.

“Recent events in Medina County involving these facilities have prompted me to review the statutes governing how and where these facilities are built, and who may build them,” he said.

At a meeting attended by Batchelder at Sharon Elementary School on June 12, resi­dents expressed concern that a leak in the tank could be deadly, especially to the 116 people living within 2 miles of the tank.

Anhydrous ammonia, which is stored as a liquid under pressure, becomes a toxic gas when released into the atmosphere. The corrosive gas can cause respira­tory injuries and burn the skin and eyes. In high concentra­tions, it can be deadly, accord­ing to a U.S. Environmental Pro­tection Agency report.

The installation of the tank was approved by the Ohio Department of Agriculture on April 5. ODA officials said the applicant is in compliance with state regulations and they have no reason to revoke the permit.

H.B. 583 would prohibit the construction of anhydrous ammonia storage facilities in densely populated areas; how­ever, the Department of Agricul­ture will need to hold hearings and adopt language to explain exactly what “densely populated” means, Batchelder said.

“Essentially, the bill would prohibit construction in densely populated areas, but we are still working on that definition,” he said.

The bill also would require that anyone wishing to con­struct an anhydrous ammonia storage facility would have to apply and receive approval from the director of the Ohio Depart­ment of Agriculture, Batchelder said.

It “would permit the Depart­ment of Agriculture to use dis­cretion in approving an applica­tion by considering past viola­tions or abuses involving chem­icals or fertilizers,” Batchelder said.

While applying to construct a facility, the applicant also would have to submit a written notifi­cation to local government, fire and law enforcement officials, he said.

While Batchelder was work­ing on the bill, Phillip Linden, 75, of LaGrange, died after his truck carrying anhydrous ammonia went off the road July 7 and into trees on Beach Road.

About 20 homes were evacu­ated following the accident after the tank leaked.

Batchelder said incidents like the one in July indicate there needs to be more control over chemicals like anhydrous ammonia.

“It is obvious that this is something that ought to have better control within the Department of Agriculture,” he said.

Everyone who makes a living on tax dollars is to that extent a public servant. They all answer to the taxpayers, who pay their way. And everything they do as a public servant should reflect their awareness that the welfare of those they serve matters more than their own. That is the animating spirit of public service.

Bill Batchelder’s life has been one richly animated by just such public service. As a Representative in Ohio’s House, as a trial judge, and as a judge of the Court of Appeals, Bill has long served his state and those of us in Ohio’s 69th House District. The breadth of that experience alone, unequalled by any other state legislator, makes Bill invaluable to us, and strongly commends electing him. Indeed, his refined perspective and talents are precisely what the difficult times plaguing our state and our country require.

Bill Batchelder’s most enduring value to us, however, is as the man that he is. The political landscape seems over-populated by people who, although perhaps talented, are of uneven, if not, lacking integrity. Many who start public life properly motivated lose that perspective overtime. Sadly, many upstanding people who ought to serve stay out of politics altogether.

Bill remains an enduring exception to these types. He has kept his footing and never compromised his pledge to being the public’s servant. He is as mindful today as ever of the obligation owed by his office to the taxpayers, and of the priority due to their welfare, resources, and personal autonomy. As a public official myself, I have witnessed Bill’s decisive attention to our local needs, as when he sponsored stricter state laws in swift response to bomb threats made at Brunswick High School.

Our district and our state stand to gain much from Bill Batchelder’s mix of peerless experience and personal integrity. My own view is that too few public officials serve according to the old adage, “To lead is to put oneself at the service of others.“ I am grateful for the model Bill Batchelder still provides for such leaders and enthusiastically support his election this fall.

Gary F. Werner
Mayor,
Brunswick

MEDINA — A Medina family that suffered the loss of a daughter has found a way to raise funds for safe teen driving programs.

With help from state Rep. Bill Batchelder, R-Medina, Ohio residents will be able to choose a Michelle’s Leading Star Foundation license plate with $10 benefiting teen driver’s edu­cation.

The foundation is named after Michelle Lee Sanderbeck, Ray and Debbie Sanderbeck’s 15-year-old daughter who died in a 2006 accident while traveling in a car driven by a teenager.

Since then, Ray Sanderbeck has crusaded to educate teens about safe driving, and started the MStar Teen Drivers Education Curriculum, which was incorporated into the health pro­gram at Medina High School. Through the curriculum, pre-drivers (students in ninth and 10th grade) use high-­tech driving simulators to learn safe driving techniques.

Proceeds from the license plates, which carry the foundation’s star­-shaped logo, will pay for newer ver­sions of the simulators that will include LCD screens that allow students to practice driving in reverse and have real-life car components. The simulators cost around $10,000 each.

Eventually, Sanderbeck said he hopes to expand the program into schools around the county and the state.

“I’m very excited, and obvi­ously very emotional,” Sander­beck said Thursday, “because as we take a step, we take a step forward with our daughter, Michelle. “We’re trying to make a difference.”

Kristin Leuchtag, 17, a gradu­ate of the MStar Teen Drivers Education Curriculum at Med­ina High, said she learned a lot from the program.

“When I was first on this (sim­ulator), I had never driven before. I thought, ‘Oh, I’ll know that, I’ll know that,’ ” Leuchtag said. “But then I went into the wrong lane” on the simulator.

Several graduates of the course hope to start a club called the MStar Teen Driver’s Group.

“Basically, our goal is to save lives,” Breana Learn, another graduate of the course, said of the club.

Batchelder, who sponsored House Bill 133 to create the license plate, said he spoke with many of Michelle’s classmates about her life in the course of the yearlong legislative process to get the bill passed.

“She was a very special per­son,” Batchelder said. “This will be a tribute to her memory.”

Gov. Ted Strickland signed H.B. 133 in June.

“We have young people who get a driver’s license who don’t understand that it’s a vehicle that can cause death,” Batchelder said. “There are ten­dencies to over-correct and they go left of center and sometimes there are head-on crashes.”

He said the license plate must receive 500 orders for it to become available. He said he hopes to have driving safety organizations publish informa­tion about the plate in their publications to advertise it and many people from Medina likely will be interested in it.

“I think time will tell,” Batchelder said of the plate’s success.

BRUNSWICK — Three Republi­cans on the November ballot met with city officials and swapped war stories with veterans in front of Brunswick City Hall on Sunday.

State Rep. Josh Mandel, a Republi­can from the 17th District and a can­didate for state treasurer, celebrated logging his 100,000th mile traveled in Ohio for his campaign.

Mandel even showed the holes he wore into a pair of brown leather shoes after campaigning on foot to reach the Ohio House of Representa­tives.

“I’ve been to almost every county in the state of Ohio,” Mandel said.

Mandel spoke about embracing entrepreneurship and his time as a Marine serving two tours in Iraq.

State Rep. Bill Batchelder, R-69th District, and Adam Friedrick, a candi­date for Medina County commis­sioner, were also on hand to speak with veterans and other members of the community.

Ralph Richie, an Army veteran from North Royalton, told the candi­dates about how he was just 20 years old when he landed at the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

“It was one of those experiences you never forget,” Richie said.

Each candidate recognized the accomplishments, and thanked each of the veterans for their contributions during their speeches.

Mayor GaryWerner and City Coun­cilmen Ron Falconi and Joseph Del­santer also were present to greet vet­erans and the candidates.

COLUMBUS– The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) today endorsed State Representative William G. Batchelder (R-Medina), citing his commitment to pro-growth, pro-jobs policies that will put the state and local economies back on track.

Representative Batchelder has always worked to add private sector jobs with business-friendly policies that allow NFIB businesses to succeed.

“I have consistently worked to improve Ohio’s business climate and create jobs for the state, both during the 128th General Assembly and throughout my tenure in Columbus,” Batchelder said. “I am honored to have received the support of the NFIB, and I look forward to working with them as Ohio’s leaders fight to breathe new life into Ohio’s economy.”

NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small and independent business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses.

For more information, please contact Megan Piwowar (614) 342-0466

Columbus—After nearly 16 straight months of double-digit unemployment, Ohio has finally heard answers the state so badly needs to reenergize its failing economy. House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) joined John Kasich and Mary Taylor at the Tarrier Steel Co., in Columbus today for the release of the Kasich/Taylor plan to improve Ohio’s economic development efforts. He issued the following statement in support of the plan:

“Since I returned to the legislature in 2007, the need to rejuvenate how our state helps businesses expand has grown exponentially,” said Batchelder. “Most recently, the Department of Development has been weighed down by bureaucracy and exhibits pursuit of numerous missions that have little bearing on Ohio’s economic development. I support John and Mary’s plan to refocus on what matters most—creating jobs—and look forward to partnering with them in the legislature to quickly enact whatever legislative changes are needed to make this proposal a reality. Ohio’s unemployment is at 10.5 percent, and with the plan before us today, I am confident that we can quickly began reviving our economy and getting Ohioans working again.”

MEDINA — With Ohio’s unemployment rate hovering at 10.4 percent in June, Ohio House Republicans are touting their 10-bill jobs package.

Introduced over several months, the bills in the “Future of Ohio” jobs package primarily target small businesses, the unemployed and recent graduates by using tax credits to offer financial incentives.

In 2009, Ohio lost 200,000 jobs when businesses left for other states, according to a statement from the office of
Batchelder, House Republican leader, said the bills were the result of members of a House subcommittee meeting with small business owners and asking them what they believed would create jobs in Ohio.

“It’s important to create new jobs and more important to retain existing jobs,” Batchelder said.

One bill, H.B. 337, aims to pinpoint the reasons why businesses leave Ohio. It would require the Ohio Department of Development to create a report of companies that have left Ohio by developing a questionnaire to discover why those companies have chosen to leave and to share the findings with legislators.

“It’s one of the most important studies we can make,” Batchelder said, saying information about why companies leave Ohio is “totally lacking.”

Another bill, H.B. 144, would grant recent college graduates an income tax credit for five years. Qualifying individuals must have obtained a baccalaureate degree and reside in Ohio.

Republican lawmakers, in a statement, said they believe the bill would allow graduates to use the extra money to “help pay back their student loans and other debts incurred during college” and help to retain an educated work force.

H.B. 437 attempts to promote jobs and growth in blighted areas by offering income tax credits to businesses that increase payroll and expand into vacant facilities. Republican lawmakers say it would “encourage existing and prospective companies to house their businesses within a vacant facility instead of building a new structure.”

Batchelder said a House that’s divided with 53 Democrats and 46 Republicans “really requires bipartisanship.”
Yet he was skeptical about the package receiving support.

“I don’t know if it will. This has been the most partisan session I’ve seen.”

A call to Democratic House Speaker Armond Budish’s office was not immediately returned Monday.

With Ohio’s looming budget troubles — the state is facing a projected $8 million deficit in its next two-year budget — can the state afford such tax credits?

“If you increase jobs, you increase income,” Batchelder responded, which would lead to more revenue for the state.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House Republican Caucus today filed a legal protest in the official journal of the House against the majority House Democrats who sought to further their political agenda. By silencing Republican amendments that were properly submitted and the traditions of the House were ignored.

“An unprecedented, unbalanced House session took place, affecting all Ohioans through numerous pieces of legislation during this General Assembly,” said House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). “Unfortunately, this was not the first time Ohioans have witnessed this chamber during the 128th General Assembly muzzle testimony and deny the opportunity to have an honest debate to create a more prosperous Ohio.”

Last week, another example of stifling the legislative process and disregard of bipartisanship occurred with Senate Bill 181. The Democratic House majority prohibited all elected members from engaging in any debate or proposing any amendments on the legislation by adopting cloture on legislation and amendments.

The first abuse of procedure occurred when Leader Batchelder properly submitted an amendment to HJR 15 to the clerk on the floor and under House Rule 71 (c) which states: “After a bill has been considered the third time and is up for consideration, it may be amended in any part. And that all amendments offered to any bill or resolution from the floor of the House shall be written and submitted to the Clerk. Every amendment submitted on the floor of the House that is determined to be in order shall be considered.”

To ignore that procedure and silence discussion of the issue, the Speaker invoked House Rule 101, which moves to end further debate on all amendments and motions, as well as on the legislation itself.

“Never have I seen such an obnoxious move from either party to restrict the constitutional right of the ability to speak within the Statehouse,” said House Republican Asst. Leader Louis W. Blessing, Jr. (R-Cincinnati). “Previously, the utter neglect of the first amendment has time and again been an accusation – not an action such as that exhibited today.”

In February, a teenager was denied a national oratory award for more than eight months by the House majority. She did not receive the award until pressure was executed by national media and citizens of Ohio who spoke out against the rejection.

Nearly two weeks later, expert testimony on tax policy offered from individuals who had flown across the country was refused, simply because the House Democrats did not agree with the witnesses. Furthermore, the hearing was dictated by the chairman who violated House tradition after the initial sponsor testimony. Customarily, the first hearing is sponsor testimony and the second hearing is comprised of proponent and then opponent witnesses. However, opponents were called first while proponents hearing were forced to leave to accommodate travel schedules that had been given to the chair in advance, and because of the long opponent testimony and floor session.

COLUMBUS — House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) and Rep. Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), ranking Republican member on the House Finance and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the full House passed a measure to reappropriate $2.5 billion, including $670.5 million in new spending for a bill total of $3.2 billion:

“Today, Ohio was afforded the opportunity to help ease the burden on the impending $8 billion hole it faces in the next operating budget. We must look ahead in order to prepare for this inevitable deficit and capitalize on the chance to start making fiscally responsible decisions now, so that the more difficult decisions may be minimized if not avoided all together.

As a first step toward preparing for this shortfall, Ohio needs to reexamine its spending priorities, continuing critical projects for the state while postponing nonessential projects. Doing so will alleviate some pressure in the next budget, and if action isn’t taken today and at every opportunity we have, this budget-balancing option will be lost forever.

Ohio’s leaders cannot waste this opportunity to make improvements to our state spending priorities. The easy way out is to continue the status quo until lawmakers are forced to contend with what we already know will be a painfully difficult budget. The longer we wait, fewer options will be available and the more painful will be the ones that remain.”

COLUMBUS — House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today gave sponsor testimony on House Bill 259, a measure that will revise the current system in which investments are determined within the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC). A version of this bill (House Bill 79) was introduced during the 127th General Assembly and passed the House 56-39.

“After the problems BWC has faced in the past, it is clear to me that it is impossible to make a list of all the possible bad investments,” said Leader Batchelder. “That is all that the present law does. My proposal creates a list of allowable investments which will ensure employer’s premiums are not being wasted through risky investments and fraud. The private insurance industry in Ohio can only invest in certain investments and only then in a restricted percentage. Why would we allow an open portfolio without restrictions to a taxpayer-owned insurance company?”

Stemming from concern over the Coingate scandal in 2005, in which Tom Noe was convicted of the theft of more than $13 million from the BWC, along with the loss of over $200 million dollars through a Pittsburg investment firm, the legislation establishes a specific list of investments in which the administrator of BWC may invest. It requires criminal record checks for employees of investment consultants with whom the administrator contracts to invest those funds.

“This revision is a necessary update to the current system and it is my hope that by requiring a simple measure of a background check, we can further ensure that money invested by BWC is protected and the chance for improper use of those funds, as we have witnessed in the past, is diminished,” said Batchelder. “The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is too important to have continuous doubt cast upon it by the very people it is meant to serve.”

Columbus—House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) yesterday issued the following statement:

“While Ohio was offered the opportunity to enhance our current economic condition through reevaluation and constructive reforms, instead a tax increase was added to the burden on our families and especially small businesses. This retroactive tax increase of 4.2-percent will diminish new jobs. House Republicans maintain a steadfast opposition to tax increases. This is a very difficult tax for the economy to sustain while unemployment remains in the double digits. It is unfortunate that companies will continue to see Ohio as woefully uncompetitive through this anti-economic development initiative. The Governor’s tax increase is a tax increase despite his saying:

‘The worst thing I could do right now would be to raise taxes. It would be, I think, crushing to our efforts to get this economy moving forward,’ Strickland said. (Sunday, March 8, 2009, Columbus Dispatch).

Since the beginning General Assembly, my Republican colleagues and I have continued to offer proposals that would get Ohioans back to work and providing for their families. Unfortunately, our ideas have not been addressed. It is crucial that as a Legislative body we keep in mind our reasons for being in Columbus and work for the families who rely on us to ensure Ohio’s future.”

COLUMBUS—Ohio House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today was joined by his fellow caucus members in signing and delivering a letter to Governor Strickland, regarding their deep concern of the federal government’s universal health care plan.

“Whether or not Ohio adopts Congress’s health care overhaul will be crucial in determining our state’s future,” Batchelder said. “Under the federal public option plan, we will see an increase in Medicaid enrollees by more than 27 percent, and with this mandated Medicaid expansion comes skyrocketing costs and less control over our own state assistance programs. The budget is already facing a deficit, and Ohioans certainly do not need more regulations, spending and heavy-handed policies from Washington.”

In the letter, Batchelder and House Republicans outlined growing concerns of the economic consequences of relinquishing control over Ohio’s health care to Washington. According to Batchelder, adopting the federal regulations would be extremely damaging to Ohio’s long-term success and budget sustainability.

“While protecting the wellbeing of Ohio’s low-income families, elderly and people with disabilities, we must work to rein in costs to ensure that the program operates in an efficient, cost-effective manner,” Batchelder stated in the letter. “Adopting the universal health care bill in Ohio will further increase Medicaid’s share of the state operating budget and almost certainly guarantee tax increases on hardworking Ohioans and small businesses.”

House Republicans hope to encourage Governor Strickland to join the 17 other governors across the country in resisting adoption of a public option health care plan. They assert that as the state budget continues to face ongoing revenue shortfalls, accepting additional spending mandates from the federal government will punish Ohio’s families and push even more jobs out of our state.

“It is important as our state considers ideas for expanding health coverage for the uninsured that we do so without crippling our state budget or putting our health care industry and the jobs it provides in jeopardy,” Batchelder said. “If Governor Strickland truly hopes to change Ohio’s health care system for the better, adopting Washington’s inflexible and costly plan is not the best approach.”

CLEVELAND—State Representative Nan Baker (R-Westlake) today unveiled proposals by Ohio House Republicans to spur economic development. Baker and other members of the House Republican Caucus, including Minority Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) and Representatives Ron Amstutz (R-Wooster), Todd Snitchler (R-Uniontown), Dave Hall (R-Killbuck), and Terry Boose (R-Norwalk), revealed extensive plans to bring about job creation and industry growth.

“During this economic crisis, with everything at stake, Ohio cannot afford another second of inaction on the part of House leadership,” Baker said. “As the ranking minority member of the House Economic Development Committee, I have become increasingly frustrated by the Democrat leadership’s unwillingness or inability to lead. Therefore, House Republicans worked tirelessly over summer recess to create a collection of economic proposals that could potentially turn the economy around.”

The press conference, in conjunction with four other conferences across the state, was conducted to address the failure of the Democrat-controlled Economic Development Committee to conduct regular, productive hearings on the economic condition of Ohio.

“The Republican caucus is focused on what Ohioans care about the most—jobs and economic development,” Batchelder said. “While Democrats have not given priority to the creation of jobs, we have been working on solutions for Ohio’s economy.”

“So far, the Democrats have not shown that they are willing to make any important decisions regarding economic development within our state,” Hall said. “How many more businesses and young people need to flee the state before the Democrats decide they need to act?”

Frustrated with inaction on the part of Governor Strickland and the Economic Development Committee, Republican members engaged in discussions with the local business community for ideas to revamp Ohio’s economy. Based on their findings from market research and conversations with constituents, the House Republicans created a package of proposals that were announced at the press conferences and will be introduced in the coming weeks.

“In presenting a package of economic proposals, our goal is to spark an honest, constructive debate about the best course of action for Ohio’s future,” Amstutz said. “House Republicans have a specific plan in place to bring about economic recovery, but since the onset of this General Assembly our voices have been silenced, regardless of how practical our ideas were.”

Among these ten bills are proposals to offer employer tax credits to hire unemployed Ohioans and to grant income tax credits for college graduates who remain in Ohio. Altogether, these bills are designed to provide resources to small businesses, offer incentives for businesses and young people to remain in Ohio, and track Ohio’s progress in rebuilding its economy.

“This recession is affecting all Ohioans, both Republican and Democrats,” Snitchler said. “We need to all work together to provide a solid foundation for Ohio’s economic future. We encourage lawmakers at all levels of government to consider our proposals and use them as they wish—changing the course of Ohio is what is important, not receiving credit or praise.”

The House Economic Development Committee has only met four times since the commencement of the 128th General Assembly and has yet to pass a single bill. The only item to pass out of committee was an ineffectual House Resolution that created the Compact With Ohio Cities Task Force, which focuses on local municipalities rather than the economic health of the entire state.

“Ohioans have entrusted us to make difficult decisions during difficult times, and we have an obligation to uphold our commitment,” Boose said. “This is not the time to coast. This is not the time to sit back with our fingers crossed. Ohio needs action, and if the Democrats won’t step up to the plate then we will.”

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) today announced plans to introduce legislation to close an avenue for corruption in Ohio’s campaign finance law, in response to the ongoing investigation within Cuyahoga County. Batchelder’s proposal, which has been in the drafting stages since early August, would prohibit contributions to be made from county employees to county official’s campaign committees.

“Allowing county officeholders to solicit and receive contributions from their employees opens the door for corruption in government,” Batchelder said. “It’s a mistrust of one’s obligation to the public.”

FBI officials have continued to investigate Cuyahoga County as it became clear that county officials received financial contributions from their employees. Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis, one of the few Cuyahoga County Democrat officials who have not been implicated by the ongoing scandal, has worked with Leader Batchelder to draft this legislation. Recently, Rokakis has observed thousands of dollars being raised by county officials from their employees.

“You have to get the money out of politics,” Rokakis said. “It is the only way to have real reform.”

“The ramifications of the Cuyahoga County government crisis are still uncertain,” Batchelder continued. “It is necessary for us to fix these shortfalls so that the people can have a more transparent and accountable government.”

COLUMBUS – House Minority Leader William G. Batchelder (R- Medina) today introduced legislation to create an independent Legislative Budget Office (LBO).

“The Legislative Budget Office would ensure transparency and public accountability of the state’s finances,” Batchelder said. “This office for many years, under Democrat and Republican leadership, safeguarded state income and expenditures and provided oversight to the executive branch.”

The Legislative Budget Office would be incorporated as part of the Legislative Service Commission, which is the non-partisan research arm of the General Assembly. The bill would also create the Legislative Budget Committee to manage the operations of the LBO. The office would conduct non-partisan, independent fiscal analyses at the request of state legislators.

“Re-establishing an independent office to conduct fiscal research for the Legislature will provide a check and balance to the executive branch which has been missing,” Batchelder said.

The LBO will provide financial oversight and continuous monitoring of state finances to the General Assembly including analyses and reports concerning the state budget; and the revenues and expenditures of the state. The office would also advise the Legislature on any potential problems or issues arising with the state’s finances, and raise any questions regarding fiscal actions taken by the governor or state agencies.

“The General Assembly has the constitutional authority to appropriate state funds,” Batchelder said. “Right now the governor provides all basic fiscal data and the Legislature plays a reactive role in the budget process. With the LBO, the Legislature would once again be able to establish its own fiscal and budget capacity to serve as a partner in budget development.”

“Those under the Office of Budget and Management are wonderful at what they do,” Batchelder said. “But OBM is and will always be a tool of the governor’s office. They do not serve the General Assembly and in light of recent misgivings, we must level the playing field and provide the Legislature with the independent, non-partisan information it needs.”