As part of my duties as an Ohio State Representative, I have examined the state budget and our many institutions at great length. The federal government is making things worse for our state in several ways. In 2012, I will respond with specific, targeted legislation to deal with these enormous problems that are partly or exclusively created by an increasingly intrusive federal government.
President Obama's agenda has made the situation worse, as the nation continues to rack up unsustainable debt and intrude further in to the prerogatives of the states. Under Republican leadership, Ohio has shown the President how to balance a budget. We did so last year by filling an $8 billion budget gap without raising taxes, and even keeping a tax cut in place. When we took office, Ohio was 48th in the country in job creation - we are now 9th. We are also 1st in the midwest in job creation now.
This year, I urge my fellow legislators to join me in sending a message to the president that we can do even more than balance a budget if the federal government will get off Ohio's back. These bills are not just messages, either - they have real teeth, and will help our state. This legislation is in addition to other bills I am working on, including our education funding system, banking laws, local government issues and other matters of importance. There are three bills and two resolutions in this package, described below.
OPPORTUNITY FOR OHIO
A Package of Legislation for 2012
The Issue 3 Enforcement Act
Ohioans voted on issue 3 in November 2011, and it passed overwhelmingly in the state of Ohio. It showed that Ohioans are aware of and outraged by the federal government's effort to intrude upon our state's sovereignty and control our personal purchasing decisions. The Issue 3 Enforcement Act says that the State of Ohio will pay attorney's fees if a citizen files a lawsuit and successfully enforces the Issue 3 "Healthcare Freedom Amendment" provision of the Ohio Constitution (which made Obamacare's individual mandate illegal in Ohio). This bill will provide the resources to make sure that every Ohioan, including low-income Ohioans, can be free from the repressive mandates of Obamacare.
Interstate Healthcare Compact
There is no question that Ohioans reject Obamacare and are aware of the damage it will do to Americans. State governors and legislators opposed to the federal health care law are eyeing a 10th Amendment, federalist approach to escape its provisions: joining an "interstate compact" that would replace federal programs - including Medicare and Medicaid - with block grants to the states. I am introducing a bill that would have Ohio join this compact. To date, legislation has been drafted or introduced in 14 states and brought to the floor by lawmakers in at least nine. It has become law in four states thus far.
State Agencies Reporting Requirements
State Representative John Adams is leading the charge to modernize state agencies and I am standing beside him.
Many of Ohio's agencies receive money directly from the federal government. We all know how irresponsible the federal government has been with money and spending, as its massive debts, money printing and overspending is well documented. Therefore, Ohio needs to be prepared. This bill requires state agencies to report the receipt of federal funds and have a contingency plan in case that money is no longer available. This will help quarantine Ohio from financial contagion that may result from the federal government's reckless monetary and fiscal policy.
Highway Funds Resolution
Since 1958, the federal government has been taking about 15% of Ohio's highway funds - adding to tens of billions per year. Usually, the feds will tie return of our money to mandates and rules by which they require we abide. It is nothing but a way to control our state through blackmail. Because of shortfalls of funding, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has recently announced that extremely important highway projects will have to be backed up for decades. This Resolution would urge the federal government to let Ohio keep its highway funds, allowing us to complete important projects within our state.
Consumer Financial "Protection" Bureau
The political career of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray was ended in Ohio when he lost his election in 2010, largely (if not entirely) due to the fact that he refused to defend Ohioans against Obamacare's individual mandate. Now the person who would not defend Ohio against the most intrusive law in American history is the President's choice to defend America's consumers. In order to seat Mr. Cordray, the President chose to subvert the U.S. Constitution and appoint him without Senatorial consent. It is not hard to understand how a group of people who have consistently shown contempt for U.S. law could not then be trusted to "protect" consumers. There is no question that this institution is designed to be an instrument of left-wing policy. This is why I am introducing a Resolution urging the federal government to repeal Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Protection Act of 2011.
This blog posting was corrected and updated at 11:00 PM ET February 22.
If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact me.
