The Becker Report
Volume II, Issue V
October 29, 2006
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
Rodney Barnett, Scioto County GOP Chairman
Ray “Moose” Dutey, Lawrence County GOP Chairman
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This issue and all back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com/TheBeckerReport.htm.
Update on Bill Jenny
Bill's latest CT scan results were mixed but generally positive.
He has been eating and feeling better.
The prayers appear to be working!
Apportionment Board
The Apportionment Board, established by Article 11 of the Ohio Constitution,
consists of the Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of State, and two members,
one appointed by the majority party and one appointed by the minority party of
the Ohio General Assembly.
We must win at least two out of three of the office of Governor, Secretary of
State, and Auditor.
Otherwise, we lose control of the Apportionment Board.
HQ Hours
Clermont County Republican HQ in Batavia is scheduled to be open from 9:00 am to
9:00 pm until Election Day.
Opportunities to volunteer are available.
Call 513-732-1611 or stop by at 197 East Main Street.
Statewide Ballot Issues
Full Disclosure: I have presented only one side of each issue.
Issue 1 Workers’ Compensation Reform Referendum
Ohio is an expensive state for businesses to operate.
Our worker's compensation system is part of the problem and needs to be
reformed.
I will be voting "YES" on Issue 1.
What are others saying?
1. The Ohio Revised Code would gain a provision designed to correct problems
identified with the inappropriate investment of workers’ compensation
insurance funds.
2. The anti-fraud provisions important to reducing fraud and containing workers’
compensation insurance costs would be implemented.
3. The changes in benefits that help to eliminate excesses in the system, such
as allowing lengthy time periods for filing claims and payment of compensation,
would be implemented.
Issue 2 "Minimum Wage" constitutional amendment
This proposal would raise the state minimum wage from $4.25 to $6.85 per hour,
and would index the wage rate to inflation (Consumer Price Index) so that it is
adjusted annually.
As a free market capitalist, I am strongly opposed to a minimum wage increase.
Many low wage jobs will be eliminated therefore hurting the people that it is
intending to help.
I will be voting "NO" on Issue 2.
What are others saying?
http://www.ohioprosperityproject.com/page.asp?g=OHIO&content=2006_Issue_2&parent=OHIO
http://www.buckeyeinstitute.org/article/736
1. It is inappropriate to place this proposal in the state constitution, which
should be a clear and internally consistent body of fundamental principles.
2. This amendment would tie cost-of-living minimum wage adjustments to the
Consumer Price Index (CPI), which may be considered an artificial means of
setting wages, not necessarily reflecting the true value of the job.
3. Raising the minimum wage is believed to have a negative effect on job
creation and will force job losses, particularly among teenagers and young
adults.
4. Increased labor costs are likely to be passed on to consumers as higher
prices for goods and services.
5. Issue 2 will give employees or any persons acting on behalf of an employee
the right to demand access to personal employee salary records and home
addresses for all employees in Ohio – not just hourly wage earners. Opponents
call this a massive, state-sponsored intrusion into the privacy of Ohio workers.
6. Issue 2 will put more strain on employer resources by creating costly and
burdensome recordkeeping requirements.
7. Issue 2 could lead to years of expensive, wasteful and needless litigation
and open the door to harassment of employers by activist organizations and
disgruntled workers.
Issue 3 "Learn and Earn" constitutional amendment
Expands gambling.
Due to the social costs and destruction of families, I will be voting
"NO" on Issue 3.
What are others saying?
The Ohio Republican Party opposes Issue 3.
The Ohio Council of Churches and other organizations in opposition claim the
issue is a bad deal for taxpayers.
1. The amendment primarily benefits a few business interests in specific Ohio
locations, and is far too detailed to be placed in the constitution. It includes
descriptions of two specific locations in downtown Cleveland for casino
development, which may or may not be appropriate.
2. Gambling can become addictive behavior, and compulsive gambling increases
with proximity to casinos and gambling machines. Numerous social problems,
including increases in poverty, crime, bankruptcy and suicide, are associated
with gambling addiction.
3. Financial return to the community is limited. For example, only 30 % of gross
revenues would go toward higher education scholarships, only 8% to local
governments, and only 1% for addiction services.
4. The amendment would exempt all the gambling revenues from state and local
taxation.
5. The amendment does not specify nor guarantee how much Ohio high school
graduates will receive, or when scholarships will be paid after the first 12
years of scholarship funding.
Issue 4 "Smoke Less" constitutional amendment
The proposal would prohibit laws from being enacted that ban smoking in bars,
restaurants, bowling alleys, bingo halls, racetracks, nursing homes and
rehabilitation facilities. The initiative would also negate over 100 smoking
bans enacted at the local level in Ohio.
Issue 4 is backed by the tobacco industry and will enshrine smoking in our state
constitution.
Issue 4 will abolish local control and negate issue 5 if they both pass.
I will be voting "NO" on Issue 4.
What are others saying?
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/COM/content/div_OH/COM_1_1x_2006_SmokeFreeOhio_Kicks_Off_Campaign.asp?sitearea=COM
http://www.olba.org/home.htm
1. Patrons and workers in businesses that permit smoking would be subjected to
the dangers of second hand smoke, a proven health hazard.
2. Because of the relationship between smoking, second-hand smoke and ill
health, permissive smoking laws contribute to the escalation of health care
costs.
3. The amendment would override home rule prohibitions that now exist in 21 Ohio
municipalities, as well as any future attempts at local control of smoking. It
would also override the proposed Smoke Free Workplace Act if both were passed.
This proposal does not belong in the Ohio Constitution.
Issue 5 "SmokeFree Workplace Act" initiated statute
The proposal would create a total ban on smoking in indoor public places across
the state.
I have mixed feelings but am leaning toward voting "YES" on Issue 5
(with apologies to the tobacco farmers).
What are others saying?
http://www.smokefreeohio.org/oh/
1. The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that second-hand smoke causes
premature death and serious diseases in smokers and non-smokers alike, including
the patrons and workers in businesses that permit indoor smoking.
2. Because of the relationship between smoking and ill health, curtailment of
indoor smoking and second-hand smoke helps control health care costs.
3. Economic impact studies have shown that clean indoor air laws do not hurt
businesses.
Statewide Candidates
Governor: Ken Blackwell and Lt
Governor: Tom Raga
For opposition research, see: www.TedEqualsTax.com
For opposition research, see: http://www.whoisted.com/2.html
Secretary of State: Greg Hartmann
Auditor: Mary
Taylor
Attorney General: Betty Montgomery
Treasurer: Sandy O'Brien
Ohio Supreme Court: Bob Cupp
Ohio Supreme Court: Terrence O'Donnell
US Senate: Mike DeWine
For opposition research, see: www.BrownVotes.com.
US House of Representatives
2nd Congressional District: Jean Schmidt
6th Congressional District: Chuck
Blasdel
Ohio Legislature
66th House District: Joe Uecker
88th House District: Danny Bubp
(Unopposed)
89th House District: Tim Knauff
12th District Court of Appeals
Judge
Stephen Powell (Unopposed)
Clermont County
Auditor: Linda Fraley
Court of Common Pleas: Victor Haddad
Court of Common Pleas: Jerry McBride
Court of Common Pleas: Robert
P. Ringland (Unopposed)
Commissioner: R. Scott Croswell, III (Unopposed)
Brown County
Commissioner: Rick Eagan
Auditor: Doug Green (Unopposed)
Treasurer: Gail DeClaire (Unopposed)
Adams County
Commissioner: Brian Baldridge
Auditor: David Gifford (Unopposed)
County Court Judge: Alan Foster (Unopposed)
Scioto County
Commissioner: George Crumm
Common Pleas Domestic Relations Court: Judge David Spears
Treasurer: Chris Norman
Lawrence County
Commissioner: Bob Mayo
Auditor: Ray "Moose" Dutey
Past Events
October 18, 2006
The Clermont County Central Committee held their regular meeting at HQ in
Batavia.
Chairman Rudd discussed a number of issues including polling, absentee voting,
the Apportionment Board, and our candidates.
Several candidates, or their representatives, gave updates on their campaigns.
I gave the crowd an update on Bill Jenny, talked about the Super Saturday
results, and discussed the state ballot issues.
October 17, 2006
Chairman Bennett convened the State Central Committee in an official meeting via
conference call.
The state ballot issues were the only topic of discussion.
After much spirited debate, the committee decided to oppose issue 3 (the
gambling amendment) and take no position on the other issues.
I was the one that placed the motion on the floor to oppose the gambling
amendment and it passed overwhelmingly.
October 16, 2006
About 25 people attended the Adams County Republican Central Committee meeting
at their HQ in West Union.
Money was appropriated for candidates and advertising.
Much debate centered on "robo-calls."
Steve Caraway gave an update regarding the activities of the Republican Club.
October 12, 2006
Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati held its' annual dinner at the Hyatt.
Hundreds of people attended
It was my pleasure to sit with State Representative Bill
Seitz, Attorney Steve Purtell (Adams County), Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel (Warren County),
and Auditor Kay Rogers (Butler
County).
I also bumped into Ken Blackwell, Sandy O'Brien,
Tom
Brinkman, and Joe Uecker who updated
me on Issue 1.
October 11, 2006
About 30 people attended the Anderson Twp Republican Club meeting.
Many candidates updated the crowd on there respective races.
October 10, 2006
Nearly 30 people attended the Brown County Republican Club and Central Committee Meeting.
Several members gave updates on various races.
Topics of discussion included, a new HQ, Lincoln Day Dinner, Christmas Party,
Candidates Forum, and the Apportionment Board.
October 9, 2006
Danny Bubp hosted a fundraiser featuring Tom Raga
as the keynote speaker.
Joe Uecker also spoke to the crowd of
nearly 50 people including many from Brown and Adams County.
Bob Proud led the pre-dinner prayer.
And I sat with Clermont County
Republican Club President Glen Chapman.
October 7, 2006
Jennifer Black facilitated Super Saturday at GOP HQ in Batavia.
Several people attended and made hundreds of phone calls to encourage Republican
voters and answer questions.
October 4, 2006
About 150 enthusiastic supporters packed the Outback Steakhouse on Five Mile Rd
in Anderson Twp to hear Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich.
Phil fired up the crowd and encouraged people to take yard signs.
And the Whistleblower was dutifully
taking notes.
Future Events
October 30, 2006
Meet Senator Bill Frist at GOP HQ in
Batavia at 8:30 am
Meet Senator Bill Frist at GOP HQ in
downtown Cincinnati at 10:30 am
November 1, 2006
Candidate's forum at Grant Vocational School in Bethel at 7:00 pm
November 2, 2006
Breakfast with Phil Heimlich at the Kenwood Country Club for $100 from 7:30 am
to 8:30 am
Call 351-7445 for more info.
November 3, 2006
A Caring Place Pregnancy Help Center will hold its 3rd annual Fall Fest Dinner
Auction at the Oasis Golf Club & Conference Center.
Call Shawna at 753-HELP (4357) or 300-3565 for more info.
November 4, 2006
Deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail
November 7, 2006
Election Day - 6:30 am to 7:30 pm
November 7, 2006
Victory Party at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom in Columbus at 7:30 pm
Call 614-463-1234 for reservations
November 9, 2006
Town Hall meeting with Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel at the Franklin
City Bldg at 6:00 pm
Sex Offenders and Drug Dealers will be the primary topics.
November 14, 2006
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 pm in New Boston
November 15, 2006
Clermont County Central Committee meeting in Batavia at 7:00 pm
November 30, 2006
Chairman Bennett's Christmas Party at The Athenaeum in Columbus from 5:30 to
7:30 pm
December 1, 2006
Republican State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am
December 1, 2006
Hamilton County Republican Club Christmas Party at The Meadows from 5:30 to
10:00 pm
December 2, 2006
Brown County GOP Christmas Party
December 4, 2006
Union Twp Central Committee meeting at the UT Civic Center at 7:30 pm
December 4, 2006
Anderson Twp Republican Club
meeting
6:00 Social and 7:00 Business
December 9, 2006
Clermont County Republican Club
Christmas dinner at Eastgate Receptions
Tickets are $55.00 a piece and bring a toy for the toys for tots.
Contact Glen Chapman for
more info.
December 12, 2006
Scioto County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 pm in New Boston
January 22, 2007
Annual March for Life in Washington DC.
Call 513-728-7870 for more information.
February 10, 2007
Brown County Lincoln Day Dinner
February 16, 2007
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner at the Eastgate Holiday Inn
February 17, 2007
Brown County Lincoln Day Dinner