Republican News

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Butler (R-Oakwood) today presented a resolution honoring Richard Palmer on being named the 2016 Ohio Certified Public Manager of the Year.

COLUMBUS—A bill sponsored by State Representative Bob Cupp (R-Allen County) today passed the Ohio House by a vote of 97-0. The bill makes changes to drug trafficking and possession laws regarding cocaine. House Bill 4 restores the statutory penalties for possession of cocaine and clarifies the penalties for the trafficking of cocaine.

COLUMBUS—Today, State Representative Wes Goodman (R-Cardington) presented a resolution honoring Justice Paul E. Pfeifer on his retirement from the Ohio Supreme Court.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Hughes (R-Upper Arlington) today introduced legislation that was inspired by a Gahanna woman who was doused in gasoline and set on fire in August 2015 by her ex-boyfriend.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Hughes (R-Upper Arlington) today introduced legislation that was inspired by a Gahanna woman who was doused in gasoline and set on fire in August 2015 by her ex-boyfriend.

Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) has appointed State Representative Jonathan Dever (R-Madeira) to co-chair the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission. Today, Rep. Dever was elected by his peers on the commission to serve as co-chair.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Bob Cupp (R-Lima) gave sponsor testimony Wednesday in the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee on a bill he introduced to restore the statutory penalties for possession of cocaine. The penalties were undone by the Ohio Supreme Court’s December decision in State v. Gonzales, (Slip Opinion 2016-Ohio-8319). It will also clarify the penalties for trafficking of cocaine.

Wood County, and the city of Bowling Green in particular, is home to an array of small businesses. Simply take a walk down North Main Street in Bowling Green and you’ll be struck by the variety of local restaurants and bars, and you might even walk past the resident tattoo parlor in the area. One of my favorite places to stop in for a pick-me-up is Flatlands Coffee, fulfilling my need for caffeine and my desire to shop and spend locally.

COLUMBUS – State Representative Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake) today announced the introduction of his first bill as a state representative.  House Bill 38, otherwise known as the “Public Safety and Military Protection Act,” is designed to increase the penalties for violent offenders only in cases when it is the offender's specific purpose to attack a law enforcement officer, first responder, or military member.

Last week, on February 1^st, 2017, State Representatives Mike Duffey (R-Worthington) and Christina Hagan (R-Alliance) re-introduced DataOhio, transparency legislation that twice passed the Ohio House and which seems to have inspired Governor Kasich to follow suit with government data initiatives in his proposed budget.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township) introduced House Bill 101, known as the “Epinephrine Accessibility Act,” which seeks to make epinephrine auto-injectors more affordable and accessible. National media has reported on the sky-rocketing cost for EpiPens, produced by Mylan Pharmaceuticals, which is reported to control about 90 percent of the epinephrine auto-injector market. The price for EpiPens has increased about 500 percent in recent years, standing at a $600 retail price.

COLUMBUS—Today, State Representative Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) presented a resolution honoring Sam Meece on winning the 2016 Division II State Championship in the discus.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Wes Goodman (R-Cardington) this week presented a resolution honoring Chad Johnson as the 2016 Division III State Boys Cross Country champion.

COLUMBUS—State Representative Stephen Hambley (R-Brunswick) announced the House’s passage of legislation he sponsored that would designate a portion of State Route 261 in Medina and Summit Counties as the Sergeant James F. Allen III Memorial Highway.

COLUMBUS—Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) today welcomed Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly Robin Vos to the Ohio Statehouse to discuss goals and themes for the 132nd General Assembly including joint legislative efforts between the Ohio House and Wisconsin State Assembly.

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today approved a joint resolution to hold Governor Kasich’s State of the State address in Sandusky.

As I dive into my fourth and final term as your state representative, I am once again reminded of the importance and role of leadership. This comes to the forefront of my mind as we celebrate Presidents’ Day, which this year falls on Monday, February 20. Pausing to consider the service and achievements of all the chief executives of the United States aids in fostering a greater appreciation for our country.