The Becker Report
Volume III, Issue XIII
March 10, 2009

Published by:

John Becker
Republican State Central Committeeman
Ohio's 14th Senate District
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, and Lawrence Counties
513-753-6440
www.BeckerGOP.com
mailto:John@BeckerGOP.com
www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm


Distribution:
Tim Rudd, Clermont County GOP Chairman
Paul Hall, Brown County GOP Chairman
Harty Wallingford, Adams County GOP Chairman
Dr. Terry Johnson, Scioto County GOP Chairman
Ray “Moose” Dutey, Lawrence County GOP Chairman


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Disclaimer
Nobody asked me to include this, but it seems like a good idea:
This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any organization, or affiliation. I am fully and solely responsible for its' content. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not "The Gospel according to John." Additionally, I don't necessarily try to be "fair and balanced." After all, I didn't get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get involved, see: What is a Central Committee?

Prayers Needed
Brown County Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda continues to appreciate all prayers. I saw Tina recently. She looks great! She's off of the chemo and everything looks good.
Former Clermont County Chairman and Retired State Representative, Rose Vesper, has not been well and needs our prayers.
Senator Bob Schuler is suffering from cancer and needs prayers.
Eric Kelso's family is suffering from a house fire that may not be insured. Please contact him at (513) 520-9609 if you can help. Donations can be made at any 5th 3rd Bank to the Mearle R. Kelso House Fire Fund.
Jon Mills (New Boston Village Councilman) recently had surgery. All is well. The doctors expect a full recovery and he is resting at home. Jon's report is as follows: "After a successful surgery and a follow up with the surgeon, he informed me that the pathology reports show NO CANCER!!! The official diagnosis was a benign fast growing tumor on the right side of my thyroid. I've felt better in the last 4 days than I have in 3 years. So, thank you for your prayers. God answered them in a favorable way. God is definitely good."
Amen Jon! And may God continue to bless you.

Ohio's Marriage Penalty
It is a little known fact that Ohio's married taxpayers are frequently better off Filing Separate returns instead of Joint when both spouses have taxable income. This is due to Ohio’s progressive income tax. The more you make, the greater percentage they take. The marriage penalty begins when Joint Taxable Income reaches $5,800! For more information, I've updated an information page for the 2008 tax year. Additionally, I've updated an Excel spreadsheet calculator for taxpayers to calculate exactly how much they are personally impacted by Ohio's marriage penalty. From experience, I can tell you that few legislators are aware of this problem and even fewer seem to care. That will change after I'm elected to the State Senate!

Tax Check Off Box
The RNC and ORP encourage all tax filers to check off the Presidential Election Campaign and the Ohio Political Party Fund boxes on their tax returns. In Ohio, tax dollars get redirected to the state and county political parties.

A Preview of the 2010 Statewide Races
Rob Portman for US Senate
It appears that Rob will not have a primary challenge. That is good news!
Bob Paduchik is his campaign manager. Anyone interested in helping with the campaign should contact Eric Toy at 513-519-7845.

Our next Governor?
Kevin Coughlin has announced his candidacy.
John Kasich has all but officially announced that he is running for Governor. In my February edition, I mentioned that Mr. Kasich has not yet repaired a rift with the gun lobby that was created when he voted for the failed Clinton gun ban in 1994. His operatives have informed me that Mr. Kasich has a history of voting with the gun lobby. They are working on assembling a list of his gun related votes to prove that he is pro-Second Amendment. That's great! I'm looking forward to including that data in a future edition. Mr. Kasich's days in Congress are best remembered for his fiscal conservatism and being a budget hawk.
Todd Kritzwiser is a local candidate who is also seeking the office. He can be contacted at 937-444-Ohio (6446). Todd lives in Brown County's Sterling Twp. near Williamsburg. His campaign sent me the following:

Emerging from the small town of Waverly, Ohio, Todd Kritzwiser is not the average career politician. He feels compelled to enter the arena of politics to bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to restore the discarded values of Ohio's past. He is a graduate of the Southern Ohio School of Ministry and the Wagner Leadership Institute. He is co-founder of King's Way Fellowship in Batavia, Ohio and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Todd makes a lifestyle of leading and caring for people. He is a leader among leaders and currently serves as a director and consultant for nonprofit and for-profit corporations alike. Todd and his wife Jenny have been married for 16 years and live in Williamsburg, Ohio. They have two sons, Gabe and Levi, ages 11 and 5.
Todd believes bigger government and higher taxes are never the answer to social issues. Todd strives to empower individual and business success through a commitment to hard work and financial responsibility. His leadership is built on experience and accountability and he will draw from that experience to help restore the dignity and standing of hard working Ohioans. Todd lives by Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Todd will bring wisdom, leadership, and understanding to Ohio government and will work to restore confidence in Ohio's future.

Auditor of State
Mary Taylor will run for re-election. It is very important that we support her and retain this Apportionment Board seat. Mary is a great lady and has been doing a fabulous job for Ohio.

State Treasurer
Josh Mandel has announced his candidacy. We met at the Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner. Josh is a very impressive young man.

Secretary of State
Jon Husted contacted me to let me know that he is campaigning for the office. Jon is a State Senator and former Speaker of the Ohio House. He also has an impressive history of being able to raise money.
Sandy O'Brien is also campaigning for the job. Sandy defeated Jennette Bradley in a primary for State Treasurer in 2006. Unfortunately, she lost to Richard Cordray in the general election. Sandy is a great lady and has a contagious smile. Once you meet her, you'll be impressed.

Attorney General
One of Dave Yost's operatives contacted me. Mr. Yost is interested in seeking the office of Attorney General. Mr. Yost was my favorite to run last time. He dropped out and chose to support Mike Crites.
Mike Crites may be interested in running for this office again. I've met Mike and heard him speak. He is very impressive and has had a distinguished career.
I've also heard that former Senator Mike DeWine is interested in running. Mr. DeWine was John McCain's Ohio campaign chairman and performed admirably in that role.

Ohio Supreme Court
Chief Justice Thomas Moyer will be retiring. Former Attorney General, Jim Petro, will run for that seat. Jim was a great AG. He is very smart and would be a great Chief Justice. Additionally, Justice Maureen O'Conner wants to run for Chief Justice. She has also served Ohio well. It is important to note that Justice O'Connor would have to resign and Ted Strictland would appoint a Democrat.
Judith Lanzinger and Paul Pfeifer will also run for re-election. Being as Justice Pfeifer is the only liberal on the Court, I'm hoping he chooses to retire and I wish him the best.

What is the Apportionment Board?
The Board consists of the Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, and a Republican and Democrat selected from the Legislature. Control is important because the Board redraws the State House and State Senate districts based on the 2010 national census. The Party redrawing the district lines will have a huge advantage in determining control of the legislature in 2012 and beyond. The legislature redraws the US House districts.

Video Gallery
Former Congressman Bob McEwen is a great man with a great message. This video is 32 minutes and well worth the time.

Explosive Video Reich, Obama's economic advisor no "White Male Construction Workers"


OhioGOPtv

Timeline shows Bush, McCain warning Dems of financial and housing crisis; meltdown

Becker for State Senate
The Primary Election is three years away. I've been meeting with people, getting ideas, and raising money.

Past Events
March 6, 2009
The First Friday luncheon continues to grow in popularity. Nearly 80 people attended to hear Brewster Rhoads talk about the federal stimulus package. He is Governor Strickland's Regional Representative for Southwest Ohio. Nan Cahall also spoke to the crowd and provided additional information from Senator Voinovich.

March 2, 2009
About 25 or 30 people attended the Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee meeting. The primary topic for discussion was the West Clermont School levy. Dr. Brooks (Superintendent) and Alana Cropper (Treasurer) gave a presentation and fielded a number of good questions. They demonstrated that West Clermont has a lower cost per student and lower administrative costs than state averages. Additionally, they showed how the district's annual spending increases have been modest. Their presentation was very convincing. Mrs. Cropper can be reached at 943-5022 to answer any questions.

February 28, 2009
Well over 200 people attended the Brown County Lincoln Day Dinner. Dr. Doris Charles and Mariah Votel were presented the coveted John Donohoo and Sequoia awards respectively.
The keynote speaker was President Lincoln (circa 1863). Union soldiers served as his security guards. He gave a very interesting speech regarding his origins, time in office, the war, and the wrongs of slavery.

February 21, 2009
Larry Moore sent me the following:

Mr. Rob Portman was the keynote speaker at the League of Ohio Sportsman annual convention in Marietta. I was very impressed with meeting, talking to and the speech by Mr. Portman. I had the pleasure of introducing him. I said something to the effect that he is a candidate that can invigorate the ORP and the conservative base. I firmly believe he is the person who knows how to get things done in Washington DC but has not forgotten either his Ohio or conservative roots.

February 20, 2009
May Taylor was the keynote speaker at the Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner. About 200 people attended. As expected, Mary was fabulous. Additionally, Chairman Tim Rudd gave a great speech that really hit home with a lot of people. The following is a small part of it:

Immediately after the election there was a knee-jerk reaction to the Republican "brand" as if a change in formula or a new commercial will make all the difference. There was open discussion revolving around the conservative nature of our party. Lincoln stated in a speech in Columbus in 1859 that the "chief and real purpose of the Republican Party is eminently conservative" and "proposes nothing save and except to restore this government to its original tone…and there to maintain it looking for no further change…than that which the original framers of the government themselves expected and looked forward to". I will go one tiny step further than Father Abe. I believe that a strong majority of our party, and I include myself, think of themselves as conservatives first and Republicans second. In other words, as conservatives we view the Republican Party as the best vehicle which holds true to certain principles, certain beliefs, certain truths, such as:
We believe in the sanctity of all human life.
We believe that the fundamental unit of organization in our society is the family based on the marriage of one man to one woman.
We believe that the establishment clause in the 1st Amendment is just that, an establishment clause which does not bar religion from the public square.
We believe that the 2nd amendment means what is clearly stated that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
We believe that courts should interpret the law as to its original intent and not make law or legislate from the bench.
We believe that the proper size and scope of the government can be described by the same word and that word is "small". Lincoln on this issue states "The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot do so well for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities."
We believe that the fundamental unit of change, the source of all ingenuity, progress, and greatness of this nation is the individual and that the government's proper role is not to over regulate, over tax, or unnecessarily hinder the individual in his pursuit of gain but to provide the proper infrastructure and then get out of the way...
...These beliefs, truths, and principles cannot be the subject of negotiations, compromises, bargains, deals, or trade-offs in an illusory attempt to attract new members- for what is really at stake is the heart, the soul, and the very foundation of our party.

Event Calendar
March 11, 2009
ORP regional leadership meeting in Mason at 6:00 pm

March 14, 2009
Adams County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Cherry Fork Community Center featuring John Kasich
Social at 6:00 pm and Dinner at 6:30. Contact Stephen Caraway for more details: 937-515-1939

March 15, 2009
Cincinnati Tea Party on Fountain Square from 3pm to 5pm

March 16, 2009
Lawrence County Lincoln Day at Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove featuring John Kasich
5:30 VIP Reception for $50; 6:30 Speech; 7:00 Dinner for $25

March 18, 2009
Clermont County Central Committee meeting in Batavia at 7:00 pm

March 20, 2009
Deadline to request the endorsement of the Clermont County Central Committee for the Primary Election

March 26, 2009
Highland County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Hillsboro First United Methodist Church for $20 featuring ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine
Social: 6:00pm and Dinner: 6:30pm
See any Republican Committee Member or Call Mary Wharton 937-393-1451 or Kay Ayres 937-763-6512

March 31, 2009
Scioto County Lincoln Day Dinner, social -- 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 pm

April 1, 2009
Josh Mandel will be at Molly Malone's in Pleasant Ridge at 7:00 pm

April 3, 2009
First Friday luncheon ($20) in downtown Cincinnati sponsored by Chip Gerhardt and Jim Benedict.
Topic: State Budget

April 3, 2009
Butler County Lincoln Day Dinner featuring Rob Portman at the Savannah Club at 7:00 pm for $125

April 6, 2009
Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee meeting at the UT Civic Center at 7:00 pm

April 14, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston

April 15, 2009
Clermont County Central Committee endorsement meeting in Batavia at 7:00 pm

April 15, 2009
Deadline to submit letter of interest for the Clermont County Board of Elections position being vacated by Tim Rudd.

April 21, 2009
CCV's Spring Banquet featuring David Barton at Xavier University's Cintas Center for $50

April 23, 2009
Banquet for Life at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cincinnati

May 5, 2009
Primary Election

May 12, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston

May 15, 2009
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus

May 30, 2009
Bill Herdman's 85th birthday party for $85

June 9, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston

July 14, 2009
Scioto County Central Committee at 7:00 pm in New Boston

July 18, 2009
Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs Association

September 12, 2009
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus

November 3, 2009
General Election

December 11, 2009
State Central Committee meeting in Columbus

Paid for by Friends of Becker, John Becker, CTP, MBA, Treasurer, 925 Locust Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45245-1313