Mandatory Drug Testing for Recipients of Public Assistance Bill introduced in OH Senate

State Senator Tim Schaffer has reintroduced a bill in the Ohio Senate (SB 69) that would require drug testing for those receiving any type of public assistance.  Several other states (SC, FL, WV & KY) have also introduced varying versions of this bill.

From The Newark Advocate --

People in Ohio asking for government assistance from the state would have to be screened for drugs if a bill introduced Thursday in the Ohio General Assembly is passed and signed into law.

Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, introduced Senate Bill 69, which would establish drug-testing requirements for adults who apply for need-based programs.

The bill would deal with people applying for state programs that provide cash assistance, medical assistance, housing assistance, food assistance or energy assistance.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville.

Under the leadership of former OH Senate President Bill Harris and new OH Senate President, State Senator Tom Niehaus, it should come as no surprise that last years version of this Bill died in the GOP-led Senate Finance Committee. So as you can see, even though Ohio's State Senate is GOP-led this year - as it was last year - there is no guarantee SB 69 will make it out of  the OH Senate.

Please contact your State Senator and urge them to support SB 69. 

State Senators from the Cuyahoga County area --

Senator Tim Grendell / District 18
Phone: (614) 644-7718
Email: SD18@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Shirley Smith / District 21
Phone: (614) 466-4857
Email: SD21@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Michael Skindell / District 23
Phone: (614) 466-5123
Email: SD23@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Senator Tom Patton / District 24
Phone: (614) 466-8056
Email: SD24@senate.state.oh.us

Senator Nina Turner / District 25
Phone: (614) 466-4583
Email: SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us

For contact information for OH Senators outside Cuyahoga County, please click here.

Action Alert: Defunding Obamacare / Your calls are needed now!

Action Alert

We need you to call the GOP members of the House Rules Committee (where the first vote is expected in the next 24 hrs) immediately and urge them to support Rep. Steve King's amendment to defund Obamacare.

The defunding of Obamacare is NOT in the Continuing Resolution currently in process!

There are two types of funding in ObamaCare: direct appropriations made by the law itself and separate discretionary spending necessary to execute the law’s myriad provisions. Because it is a type of budget bill, a continuing resolution would only deal with the discretionary spending needed to execute the law, not the money the original ObamaCare law appropriated.

A continuing resolution is a type of appropriations bill that allows the government to continue functioning without having Congress decide how much money to give to each individual federal program or agency. (Weasel Zippers)

The GOP members of the Rules Committee, and their office phone numbers are:

Pete Sessions, TX-32 (202) 225-2231

Virginia Foxx, NC-5 (202) 225-2071

Rob Bishop, UT-1 (202) 225-0453

Rob Woodall, GA-7  (202) 225-4272

Richard Nugent, FL-5 (202) 225-1002

Tim Scott, SC-1 (202) 225-3176

Daniel Webster, FL-8 (202) 225-2176

Keep the pressure on and hold the GOP to its promises!

Please ask the Congressmen to support Steve King's amendment to defund Obamacare in the continuing resolution. 

Stop the funding for Cincinnati's Streetcar Named Public Plunder!

Action Alert

Facing a budget gap of Grand Canyon like proportions, Ohio's Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) has recommended $51.8 million in funding for "Cincinnati's Streetcar named Public Plunder"!

Governor Kasich has already stopped the federal funding for proposed low-speed rail being fraudulently billed as a high speed rail in OH, and now WE must stop the wasteful spending for the "Streetcar named Public Plunder" being proposed in Cincinnati!

From our friend Rebecca Heimlich (OH Coordinator) from Americans For Prosperity --

Ohio's Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) recommended that $51.8 million of your tax dollars be given to Cincinnati’s streetcar project.

Ohio is facing an $8 billion budget deficit.  We commend Governor Kasich for pledging to solve this budget crisis without reaching even further into our pockets.  In the next few months, Ohio will be making many difficult decisions about how to cut its budget and reform Ohio’s overgrown government to become more efficient and effective.

Given these circumstances, terminating any funding for Cincinnati’s streetcar project should be one of Ohio’s easier decisions.  It is an expensive project that will be financed by more government debt; it will require ongoing taxpayer subsidies; and it won’t provide any economic benefit for Cincinnati or Ohio.

Click here to tell TRAC “no” to funding for Cincinnati’s streetcar (an email with editable text is provided).

Please act now!  Public comments on TRAC's recommendation are being accepted until this Friday, February 11th.

This streetcar project ultimately will put Cincinnati, Ohio, and the federal government further in debt.  Construction alone is projected to cost $143 million.  That number will likely rise with additional cost overruns.  Cincinnati City Council has already approved the issuance of $64 million in debt to fund its portion of the construction (before cost overruns).  Cincinnati is counting on Ohio for over $50 million and on the federal government for $25 million, both of which are already far in debt.

The Streetcar will be an ongoing financial drain.  Once the City accepts the federal grant, it will be obligated to operate the streetcar for decades, with an estimated annual cost of $10 to $12 million.

Neither Cincinnati nor Ohio can afford to fund this project.  But, even if they could, they shouldn’t.  Streetcars do not provide economic benefit and are not cost efficient.  Studies of streetcar experiments in other cities have proven these projects to be a poor, unproductive use of taxpayer dollars.

Proponents of Cincinnati’s streetcar would have you believe that if “you build it, they will come.”  Meaning riders and developers will magically appear on the streetcar and along its lines, like the baseball fans that magically appeared in “Field of Dreams.”  Other cities have found that this is not true.  Portland spent nearly $2 billion subsidizing developments along its streetcar and light rail lines when private development failed to materialize.  New Orleans added two new lines in the early 2000s to its St. Charles streetcar line, and the ridership still steadily declined.

 Click here to make your public comment.

Senator Hatch introduces "Defending America's Affordable Energy and Jobs Act"

In attempts to further stem the out-of-control EPA, the rogue regulatory agency hell-bent on imposing Cap & Trade regulations through the Clean Air Act, Senator Orrin Hatch introduced the Defending America's Affordable Energy and Jobs Act....

From Senator Orrin Hatch --

WASHINGTON – Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have introduced legislation that would pre-empt federal agencies from restricting human carbon-dioxide emissions without authorization from Congress.

The Defending America’s Affordable Energy and Jobs Act also would prevent any legal action from being taken against greenhouse gas emitters for their contribution to climate change.

"With this bill, we are reclaiming Americans’ right to have their elected officials have a say in the laws and regulations that effect them,” Hatch said. “Last time I checked, Congress makes the laws and the Administration implements the people's laws.

“We have put a lot of focus on the EPA for attempting to regulate carbon emissions without the express consent of Congress,” Hatch added. “In truth, though, the President is attempting to implement these controls throughout the entire federal government, and we don't intend to stand idly by and watch as the U.S. Constitution is circumvented in this way."

The bill would define the government's ability to implement the Clean Air Act only for pollutants which harm humans as a result of direct exposure, but not based on the theory that a greenhouse gas may contribute to general warming of the planet.

The bill would also move the existing oversight of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles away from the EPA, and place the effort under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation.

Combined with Senator Rand Pauls REINS Act, in which Hatch is a co-sponsor, the "Defending America’s Affordable Energy and Jobs Act" will serve as a useful tool in combating the EPA's -- Integrated Urban Air Toxics Strategy. 

The Integrated Urban Air Toxics Strategy is the battering ram of the Clean Air Act.  This, along with court ordered consent decrees, the EPA is trying to impose Cap & Trade regulations on small businesses such as dry cleaners, gas stations, restaurants and 28 other industries. 

Senator Rand Paul introduces REINS Act; Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny

Senator Rand Paul is taking the steps to stop the over-reaching federal agencies from imposing regulatory edicts & arbitrary mandates without the consent of Congress.

A perfect example of this would be how the EPA is using the Clean Air Act & Clean Water Act as their Hammer & Sickle to impose Cap & Trade restrictions on people and business through regulation over legislation.

From Senator Rand Paul --

Senator Rand Paul (Ky.) today introduced the REINS Act, or Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011, on the Senate floor.

Designed to “increase accountability for and transparency in the Federal regulatory process,” the REINS Act will result in better drafted and detailed legislation, an improved regulatory process, and will ultimately create a Legislative Branch accountable to the American people.

“I am proud to offer this legislation today alongside my fellow Kentuckian, Congressman Geoff Davis, in the House,” Sen. Paul said Monday. “If Congress is to impose regulations and laws on U.S. citizens, it is important that those citizens are made aware of how they come to be. Cutting red tape and opening the regulatory process to scrutiny is an important step in holding government accountable to all Americans.”

Joining Sen. Paul as co-sponsors are Republican Senators Jim DeMint (S.C.), John Ensign (Nev.), Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Tom Coburn (Okla.), Roy Blunt (Mo.), John Thune (S.D.), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), John Cornyn (Texas), Orrin Hatch (Utah),  Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), John Barrasso (Wyo.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Jeff Sessions (Ala.), Rob Portman (Ohio), Mike Johanns (Neb.), John Boozman (Ark.), David Vitter (La.), Mike Lee (Utah), James Inhofe (Okla.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), and Marco Rubio (Fla.).

"When liberals can't pass legislation, they enact regulations. As we have seen at the EPA and FCC, unelected bureaucrats can advance a radical, liberal agenda when it loses legislatively or in the courts. The accountability provided by the REINS Act is necessary to ensure federal agencies cannot unilaterally destroy jobs and harm our economy with unnecessary regulations,” Sen. DeMint said. “Businesses should be focused on how best to invest and grow to create jobs, not on fending off burdensome micromanagement through regulation from Washington.”

“Members of Congress like to talk a good game about protecting their constitutional rights.  Yet, in reality, we delegate an enormous amount of authority to federal agencies. The REINS Act will help Congress retake the rule-making authority it has ceded to the executive branch and bring the regulatory process under control,” Sen. Coburn said.

Action Alert: Senate Expected to vote on Healthcare Repeal TODAY!

Action Alert

It looks as though Senator McConnell has found a way to force Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to call for a “healthcare repeal” vote in the Senate. The vote is expected today!

The GOP is going to try to use the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization, S. 223, as a vehicle for repealing the 1099 provision of Obamacare. The Senate Republicans will add an amendment to S. 223, and the amendment will be to repeal Obamacare.  Reid has agreed to allow the vote, but is expected to raise a budget point-of-order objection in attempts to thwart passage.  (Read More Here)

We need to support Senator MCConnell’s efforts. We encourage you to contact Ohio’s two senators and the following targeted senators, and urge them to vote “YES” for the repeal of Obamacare.

Ohio Senators

Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) / DC: (202)224-3353 / Cleveland: (216)522-7095

** Senator Portman will be supporting Repeal of the Health Care Reform Law **

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) / DC: (202)224-2315 / Cleveland: (216)522-7272

Targeted Senators

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) / DC: (202)224-5521

Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA) / DC: (202)224-6324

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) / DC: (202)224-3954

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) / DC: (202)224-6154

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) / DC: (202)224-5274

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) / DC: (202)224-6551

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) / DC: (202)224-2644

Sen. James Webb (D-VA) / DC: (202)224-4024

H/T to Amy & Jeff with the Medina TPP for putting together the above info.

Republican Study Committee members introduce a Bill to prevent Default on the Debt

It looks like Congressman Jim Jordan is on a mission in D.C.! 

From The Republican Study Committee --

Led by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), RSC members have introduced H.R. 421, the Full Faith and Credit Act.  In the event the statutory debt ceiling is reached, this legislation would direct the United States Treasury to prevent a default by paying principal and interest due on debt held by the public before making any other payments.  The bill has also been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).

“The ‘full faith and credit’ of the United States should not hang in the balance on every adjustment to the national debt limit,” said Rep. McClintock.  “States protect their credit by pledging first call on revenues to their debts and so should the federal government.  After all, before you can ‘provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty,’ you have to be able to finance them.”

“A pitiful scare tactic already being used by the Treasury Secretary in the debt ceiling debate is the threat of allowing the federal government to default on its obligations,” said Chairman Jordan.  “This is government mismanagement at its worst.  Secretary Geithner knows full well that he has the authority to prioritize federal spending so that default is not an option.  This bill will take Secretary Geithner’s disastrous scenario completely off the table.”

“America's sterling credit rating is vital to our future prosperity,” said Rep. Foxx.  “This bill offers a simple safeguard to protect our credit and prevent a sovereign debt crisis.  It's the sort of common sense solution that we can easily put in place without wading into the debate over raising the debt ceiling.”

“This important piece of legislation ensures America’s debt rating and the threat of default on our debt cannot be used as political weapons.  This bill will remind the markets and the world that America will never default on its debt while giving Congress time to have a meaningful, reasonable discussion about how to rein in out-of-control spending and prevent our country from sliding further into debt,” remarked Rep. Garrett.

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Keep up the good work Congressman Jordan!