Turner vs. Austria in Primary?

Matt Lewis reports that he is hearing that Jim Jordan is safe in the redistricting fight and that attention has shifted to the Miami Valley area where my (former) Mayor, Mike Turner, may have to take on Steve Austria in a "moderate" Republican cage match.

I like them odds.

Also in the rumor mill, but I don't believe this at all because for the most part the folks who spout this line are Jean haters, is that OH-02's Rep. Schmidt is on the block. Naw...I don't believe that one either.

Team Jordan's protestations aside, nobody I know seriously put him in the cross-hairs for elimination.

Turner/Austria...that I buy.

EXIT QUESTION: If Democrats were in charge of this redistricting, who wants to bet that two GOP seats would be on the block?

Rep. Turner Calls for Defense Department to Complete Evaluation of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle

Rep. Mike Turner (OH-03)

Release:

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mike Turner called on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to evaluate the results of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle’s (EFV) testing program before determining whether to cancel the program. This follows Secretary Gates’ announcement that he has slated the EFV for termination and will use the remaining funds in the program to shut down the program. This decision throws to the wayside, billions of taxpayer dollars invested in this vital program for our U.S. Marines.

“After years of development and investment, it’s unwise to schedule the EFV for termination, no matter whether the results of its testing program are positive or not. This is a military procurement program that the Commandant of the Marine Corps has indicated to be the number one ground combat procurement priority of the service. In an hour of war, we cannot leave our Marines dependent on a 40 year old fleet of slow, lightly armored Amphibious Assault Vehicles that lack the firepower and mobility necessary for survival on the modern battlefield.”

The Commandant of the Marine Corps, James Amos, along with many Commandants before him, has defended the amphibious assault capability as an “absolutely enduring requirement.” Maintaining the ability to achieve forcible entry from the sea serves as a credible deterrent to our nation’s adversaries and is a critical component of the Marines’ operational requirements. This is a requirement which will not fade away. Moreover, this mission is currently being filled by an antiquated machine, which does not meet the needs of our modern warfighter, and which puts lives in danger.

“The wrong course of action is to symbolically cancel a heavily invested program without evaluating its success, thereby, sacrificing the fiscal and physical security of the taxpayer. We should show them that the government is not only serious about efficiency, but is smart enough to make the common sense decisions necessary to save taxpayer dollars.”

Congressman Speaks Out on Porno-Scanners and TSA Sexual Assaults

Good to see at least one Congressman gets that this is a problem.  Rep. John Duncan (R-TN) blasted TSA's Porno-Scanners and their sexual assaults on the floor of the US House of Representatives.

Sure wish I would hear of something like this coming from Steve Driehaus, Jean Schmidt, Mike Turner, Jim Jordan, Bob Latta, Charlie Wilson, Steve Austria, John Boehner, Marcy Kaptur, Dennis Kucinich, Marcia Fudge, Pat Tiberi, Betty Sutton, Steven LaTourette, Mary Jo Kilroy, John Boccieri, Tim Ryan, or Zach Space.  But so far, all I'm hearing out of our Members of Congress is...

...

...which is a real shame since at least one sexual assault occured right here in Ohio at the Dayton Internal Airport.

Meanwhile, I can't contain my disappointment in EVERY member of the Ohio House of Representatives and all but ONE Ohio Senator (thank you Gary Cates!).  Glad to see you all are right on top of protecting Ohioans...

Speaking of that, Governor Ted Strickland and Attorney General Rich Cordray can't be found with a search warrant on this issue.  Which puts them in the same category as John Kasich and Mike DeWine. 

Unbelieveable.  You people ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

VIDEO: Mike Turner's "I'm Just a Bill"

VIDEO: Turner Stops By the Tea Party Rally Against Pelosi Health Care Reform Bill

Mike Turner greeting people at the Washington, DC Tea Party Rally against the Pelosi Health Care Reform Bill...



...I wonder if the Congressman took any questions about pork? Thankfully, the Congressman is with us on this health care bill, but this crowd opposes wasteful government spending too!

GUEST COLUMN: "Transparency in Congress is Good for Democracy"

By Rep. Mike Turner (R, OH-03)

The call for greater transparency in government didn’t begin with the Internet age, yet for all the advances in personal communications, Americans still don’t understand why the leadership in Congress blocks timely access to legislation affecting their lives. This question is also resonating through the corridors of Capitol Hill where an increasing number of lawmakers are calling for a mandatory three day review of bills, to make sure the public has an opportunity to read them before Congress votes.

Last week, the polling firm Rasmussen reported that 83 percent of Americans say Congress should put all legislation on-line for public review before a vote. A bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced legislation to force the House to do just that. The bill, H. Res. 554, of which I am a cosponsor, requires that legislation and conference reports be available on the Internet for 72 hours before consideration by the House except in case of emergency.

The Obama administration and the leadership in Congress promised openness and transparency in their governing, but the last ten months have proven otherwise. In their rush to pass an agenda of bigger government spending and increased taxes on working Americans, the House leadership, with the support of the administration, has pushed through a host of controversial bills that were crafted without full lawmaker and public scrutiny.

The most prominent examples of this came during the passage of the “stimulus” and “cap and trade” bills. In both cases, these phone book-sized bills were hurried to the House Floor without sufficient time to review their provisions. The cap and trade energy bill was actually altered in the middle of the night, less than a day before it came up for a vote. The House leadership boldly inserted 300 pages that Republicans did not see until the hours leading up to the vote.

I opposed the $800 billion economic stimulus and also voted against the cap and trade energy bill. Despite being railroaded through the House, both of these bills were ill-considered. The stimulus bill did not help those who’ve suffered the most due to job loss and home foreclosures, and lacked details as to how taxpayer funds would be spent. In addition to raising taxes on working families, the cap and trade energy legislation also failed to address the important energy needs facing Ohio families and would further burden our state’s manufacturing base and cause additional job loss.

The forced passage of these bills only fueled the public’s distrust of Congress and the government, setting the stage for spirited town hall meetings this past summer. While the initial House leadership health care reform bill was posted on-line, it is unclear how much time Speaker Pelosi will give lawmakers and the public to review the final health care bill. Last week, the Senate Finance committee opposed a 72-hour waiting period before its members clear a health care bill.

Despite opposition from the House leadership, the 72-hour waiting period bill is gaining momentum. Last week, supporters introduced a “discharge petition” in an effort to force a House vote on the waiting period legislation. To bring the bill to the Floor for a vote, 218 lawmakers must sign the discharge petition. As of last Friday, 182 lawmakers, including myself, had given it their support.

It’s disappointing that the Congressional leadership continues to oppose public viewing of legislation prior to votes even in the face of strong national support for such advanced disclosure. H. Res. 544 deserves a full House vote.

– United States Representative Michael Turner represents Ohio’s Third Congressional District.

GUEST COLUMN: "It’s Time to Halt the Government’s Takeover of the Economy" by Rep. Turner

By Rep. Mike Turner (R, OH-03)

According to news accounts, the Treasury Department isn’t ruling out keeping the federal government’s bailout program going beyond its one-year authorization. This follows the president’s recent speech on expanding government control of financial institutions. What’s missing is a firm government exit strategy from its takeover of banks and auto manufacturers.

Ten months into the new Administration, the federal government is not only borrowing and spending unprecedented amounts of money, it is also pursuing a course of economic dominance. A September 14 story in The New York Times put it bluntly: “…the government is the nation’s biggest lender, insurer, automaker and guarantor against risk for investors large and small.”

Indeed, the Administration is actually seeking to grow its influence over the economy by advocating a government option health care plan. Interestingly, the president is justifying his push for national health care as a means to actually control federal spending. On September 13, he told CBS’s “60 Minutes,” ‘The problem I've got is that the only way I can get medium and long-term federal spending under control is if we do something about health care.’

One has to wonder how the president can claim spending $1 trillion more to take over health care is going to reduce the federal budget deficit. In fact, many Americans wonder why the Administration is spending money that we as a nation simply do not have. The president’s own budget overspends by $1.8 trillion in 2009 – nearly four times last year’s federal budget deficit.

The public has been told that government bailouts and the economic stimulus (which together pile on another $1.5 trillion in deficit spending) were necessary to save the economy and jobs. Washington’s control of General Motors and Chrysler has not stopped job losses within those companies and in some cases it has actually encouraged the curtailment of worker health benefits as we have witnessed with many former GM employees in Ohio. What’s more, the taxpayers will ultimately lose money from their $81 billion investment in Chrysler and General Motors according to a report released in mid-September by the Congressional Oversight Panel for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

Since the passage of the economic stimulus in February, over 2.4 million jobs have been lost and the national employment rate has steadily risen to 9.7 percent - its highest level in a quarter century. Yet, Vice President Biden told The Wall Street Journal last week, “In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well.”

I voted against the $700 billion bailout of our nation’s financial industry, and in February I also opposed the $800 billion economic stimulus. In each case, these bills were ill-considered, did not help those who’ve suffered the most due to job loss and home foreclosures, and lacked details as to how tax dollars would be spent. I also voted against the president’s $1.8 trillion deficit spending budget as well as the Administration’s Cap and Trade energy bill which burdens Ohio’s manufacturing base and fails to meet our energy needs.

In June, I introduced a constitutional amendment to protect our private enterprise system from government intrusion by prohibiting federal ownership of private corporations. The Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment, H.J. Res 57, has 103 cosponsors, nearly a quarter of the membership of the U.S. House.

As we approach the first anniversary of the passage of the federal bailout bill, it is unfortunate that the Administration continues to press for more control over our economy. It’s time for a government exit strategy.

GUEST COLUMN: "Obama Administration Denies Health Care for IUE-CWA Workers" by Rep. Mike Turner

By Rep. Mike Turner

As the Obama Administration continues to push its health care plan, the federal government is already denying promised health care benefits to 50,000 Ohio workers, many of whom live in the Miami Valley. Today, many General Motors employees and their families are wondering what happened to their hard-earned health benefits.

Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a $1 trillion government health care bill even as many in Congress were calling for more time to review the details and to weigh the potential impact. While the government health care bill, also known as the “America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009,” will not come up for a vote in the full House until September, one decision has already been made. Thousands of area auto workers, who were once promised their health care benefits, will get no help.

General Motors, which is now owned by the federal government, has been forced by the Administration to institute cuts to satisfy its plan for the company’s emergence from bankruptcy. Part of that plan is to take away practically all health insurance coverage for almost 50,000 GM retirees and dependents represented by IUE-CWA and other non-UAW union workers.

In June, I signed a letter with other Republican and Democrat members of the Ohio congressional delegation to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner asking him to present the same benefits to IUE-CWA workers as other GM workers. In July, my colleagues and I also wrote a letter to President Obama calling on him to provide fair and equitable treatment to these 50,000 Ohio workers. As was noted in our letter to the President, the federal government is the driving force behind the loss of benefits.

I personally spoke with GM president Fritz Henderson by phone on July 23 encouraging him to honor his company’s commitments to IUE-CWA retirees. To date, the Administration has not given Ohio workers any indication of how they plan to protect their much-deserved health care benefits. In fact, GM is reportedly seeking billions more in government funding while IUE-CWA retirees get nothing but silence from the Administration and GM.

Last week, in the midst of the House Floor debate about national health care, I called for equitable treatment of the IUE-CWA workers:

“Mr. Speaker, my father retired from General Motors after over 40 years. When General Motors closed their assembly plant in Moraine, Ohio, thousands of lifelong GM employees lost their jobs. Now, due to the Obama administration's negotiated bankruptcy, the retirees are at risk of losing their health care benefits. Isn't it ironic that as this House tries to rush through a misguided health care bill, the Federal Government has denied IUE-CWA workers in my community their promised health care benefits?”

With the Federal Government now owning over 60 percent of General Motors, it's time to honor the promises that were given to these workers, including my father.

I have joined my Ohio colleagues in asking President Obama to not discriminate between UAW and non-UAW retirees in protecting their health care benefits. I have also talked to the President of GM last week, asking for fair treatment of these employees. Now it's reported that GM will apply for more than $10 billion in additional government funding.

If President Obama is serious about health care, he should start by protecting the GM workers who are losing their benefits in this administration's acquisition of General Motors.”

To view a video of my floor speech on behalf of IUE-CWA retirees, visit my web site at http://turner.house.gov.

– United States Representative Michael Turner represents Ohio’s Third Congressional District.

Healthcare: Members of Congress Running Scared during recess?

Am in the process of calling much of the Ohio Delegation's offices to see if/when they are appearing for questions and meetings during the recess. The first I called was Sherrod Brown.

Sherrod Brown

He has NO MEETINGS of any public kind (who is he meeting in private?) according to his office staff at the Cincinnati Office. Stay tuned for updates during the day....next call goes to Zack Space (cadet) of OH 18.

George Voinovich

OK, before I got to Zack Space Cadet, I hit up Voinovich. No one in his office is talking. They say, we don't do townhalls. His Cincy office said he had no plans to be in the Cincy area, but was glad to take down anything I had to say or wanted to impart to him. I encouraged him to vote no on the Health Care bill. His Cleveland office was VERY EVASIVE AND SAID I just had to keep looking at the paper. Hmm...seems like Georgie doesn't want to face any voters either.

Zack Space OH 18

OK, Zack Space...his district offices KNOW NOTHING. They referred me to his DC office to talk to his scheduler....she was out and I had to leave a voice mail...Hmmm....Will keep you posted if I get a call back....

Steve Driehaus, OH 1

Contacted the cincy office. There is an event tonight they wouldn't go into that is a third party event. There is also a district event called Congress on the Corner, at Scott's Barbeque, over at 637 Northland Ave, from 5:30-7:30pm. Go on over there and express your displeasure over healthcare to Mr. Driehaus. Oh yeah, and give him some heck on Cap and Tax, too.

Jean Schmidt, OH 2

Called her scheduler at 2:38pm....waiting on reply

Mike Turner, OH 3

Turner's people were polite but were kind of secretive as well...wonder if they are getting deluged by callers asking about this, wondering if they think people are going to tea party them.

Well, folks, I will update as time goes by. Perhaps some of our fellow writers can call some of the members of the Ohio delegation and see what is going on. I need to cover some other things and do some work, as lunch is slipping away.....If any of you readers want to add info in comments, feel free.

GUEST COLUMN: "Flawed Legislation Fails to Address Nation’s Energy Needs" by Rep. Turner

By Rep. Mike Turner

On June 26, I joined a bipartisan group of 212 Members of Congress in opposing the Waxman-Markey Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454), also known as the “Cap and Trade” bill. The legislation fails to address the important energy needs facing Ohio families, would further burden our state’s manufacturing base, and cause additional job loss.

Last October, I voted against the $700 billion bailout of our nation’s financial industry, and, in February, I also opposed the $800 billion economic “stimulus.” Both of these bills were ill-considered, did not help those who’ve suffered the most due to job loss and home foreclosures, and lacked details as to how the $1.5 trillion in taxpayer funds would be spent. The impact of these two measures will be trillions in added national debt. I have similar concerns about the new energy bill.

The Clean Energy and Security Act has been touted by the House leadership as a path to reach American energy independence while also creating “green jobs” during a time of record unemployment and a struggling economy. Such claims sound good as everyone wants greater energy supplies at home, and job growth. But in reality, this energy bill will result in higher energy costs for all Americans and a reduction in jobs.

The energy bill earned the nickname the “Cap and Trade” bill due to its most controversial provision – the imposition of greenhouse gas emissions limitations in exchange for government emission “allowances.” Unused emissions allowances can be traded or sold among manufacturers. Each year the number of such allowances would be reduced, with fines imposed on those who exceed the emission limits, thus driving up the cost of energy and other services. Ultimately, the consumer will bear these costs. Furthermore, electricity suppliers would be required to meet rising requirements for renewable energy sources, placing states like Ohio which rely mainly on coal, at a disadvantage.

The restrictions placed on U.S. manufacturers by the Cap and Trade energy bill would place them at a competitive disadvantage with other nations, encouraging the relocation of American jobs overseas. An energy policy which leads to a reduction in jobs is not good policy at any time, let alone during an economic downturn.

Then there’s the direct impact of the Cap and Trade bill on average Americans. A Congressional Budget Office analysis found the energy bill’s allowances and offsets could cost approximately $105 billion in 2010. This works out to almost $900 for each U.S. household next year alone. Other studies, including a Heritage Foundation review, say the total cost per household could be much higher when increased prices for goods and services are factored in.

Rather than disrupt the economy and place restrictions on American energy sources, Congress should promote policies which rebuild our economy, and provide consumers with reliable and affordable energy. I have joined over 100 of my House colleagues in support of the American Energy Act (HR 2846), a bill that takes advantage of our available domestic energy resources without imposing new taxes on the American consumer. This comprehensive legislation is an “all of the above” approach to our energy policy that would increase production of American-made energy in an environmentally-safe manner, encourage greater conservation, and spur investment in alternative energy sources such as hydrogen, solar power, wind, and clean coal, an abundant domestic natural resource found here in Ohio. In addition, the American Energy Act establishes a national goal of constructing 100 clean, modern nuclear power plants over the next 20 years.

It’s not too late to do the right thing and enact a sound energy policy. The American Energy Act strikes the right balance of traditional energy reliance and alternative energy development.

GUEST COLUMN: "Constitutional Amendment to “Preserve Capitalism”" by Rep. Mike Turner

By Rep. Mike Turner (R, OH-03)

I voted against both the $700 billion in TARP funding last October and the $800 billion economic stimulus in February. I opposed both because I felt they were poorly considered, did nothing to help those who lost their homes and jobs, and lacked specifics to show how these huge taxpayer investments would be spent. The nation is now racking up an enormous budget deficit and adding trillions to the national debt as a result of these hastily-passed spending plans.

As the Administration continues its investment in banks and major corporations under the guise of mitigating risk to the economy, there appears to be no mechanism in place to hold the government accountable or slow its advance into private enterprise. The government has already gone beyond the original intent of Congress’s authorization of funds for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) last October. Instead of using the funds to purchase so-called toxic assets from financial institutions, the government has plunged headlong into buying preferred stock in hundreds of banks and has even become the majority shareholder of one of the country’s largest automakers.

That is why last week I introduced legislation in the U.S. House calling for a constitutional amendment to prohibit the government from buying stock or equity in corporations. This action is necessary to address the federal government’s deepening involvement in the nation’s private industry and financial sector and its failure to present an exit strategy.

While the government should have a role in regulating business to ensure fair practices and consumer protection, government ownership of business, even with good intentions, crosses the line. Despite the Administration’s statements that it would not seek to exercise undue influence over the operations of the companies in which it has invested, the government has set compensation levels for employees and fired CEOs.

The American public and many in Congress are becoming more concerned about the long-term potential of government control of our private sector businesses. I believe that the most effective method to prevent government intrusion and manipulation of the private sector is through a constitutional amendment.

Joined by 102 original congressional cosponsors, last week, I introduced, H.J. Res 57, the “Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment.” The proposed amendment would prohibit federal government acquisition of any stock or equity interests in corporations. It preserves the government’s right to provide loans to, or acquire equity interests in, any public authority corporation, public use corporation, or investments by any government pension fund.

This legislation, which seeks to focus a spotlight on the federal government’s overreaching into the private sector, comes just days after the Administration announced a sweeping overhaul of the financial industry. In addition to adding further layers of government control over the financial industry, the new government plan would also expand the Federal Reserve’s ability to control financial institutions that it deems pose a risk to the market. Again, the government would continue to pick winners and losers with no indication of any end to this process.

It’s ironic that government overreaching in the name of saving our economy could ultimately undermine the strength of our private enterprise system. The Preserving Capitalism in America Amendment is needed to provide constitutional protection to American free enterprise.

GUEST COLUMN: "Missile Defense More Important Than Ever"

By Congressman Mike Turner (R, OH-03)



Two weeks ago, America received a loud wake-up call from a rogue nation intent upon achieving a nuclear weapons capability. The timing of this event could not be more significant. This week the U.S. House begins drafting the new defense budget, and will consider whether or not to incorporate the Obama Administration’s request for deep cuts in missile defense capabilities that protect the U.S. homeland.

On May 25, the secretive North Korean regime tested a powerful nuclear bomb – the second such test in three years. This was accompanied by at least six test missile launches over a week’s time. The latest intelligence indicates that the isolated communist nation is now preparing for the possible launch of a long-range ballistic missile. This class of ballistic missile is believed to be capable of reaching the western United States.

Tensions are escalating on the Korean Peninsula and the United States is stepping up efforts to possibly intercept North Korean exports of banned missile systems. Some are speculating that North Korea’s leaders are probing the resolve of the Obama Administration and our allies, and shoring up domestic support for Kim Jong Il’s successor. Regardless of motive, the provocative actions of North Korea send a strong reminder that America should not reduce its commitment to a fully capable missile defense system.

North Korea is not the only emerging threat. A week earlier, Iran test fired a long-range ballistic missile with a range as far as Israel and parts of Europe. Iran also appears to be following North Korea’s path of pursuing a nuclear program and has purchased missile technology from Kim Jong Il’s regime.

The world remains a dangerous place. Rogue nations and terrorist groups make no secret of their desires to launch surprise attacks against our homeland and our forces deployed around the world. A ballistic missile attack presents one of the greatest risks to our homeland. We have a valuable tool to protect our country against such attack but its capability could be compromised if short-sighted budget cuts are approved this year.

America currently has a growing network of ground based interceptors in Alaska and California and sensors capable of detecting, tracking and shooting down hostile ballistic missiles. It has taken years to mature the technology and build these complex facilities and there are not yet enough in place to adequately protect our population in the event of a ballistic missile attack. Unfortunately, just as real progress is being made in constructing our homeland missile defense system, the Obama Administration is calling for a 35 percent cut in our planned Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, reducing the growth of the system by 14 missiles.

As the threats to the U.S. and are our allies are increasing, it’s ironic that the new Administration would seek cuts to the only defensive system America has in place to protect our homeland against a ballistic missile attack. Is the Administration willing to take this risk? America should not be placed in a vulnerable position. As Ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, I will be working with my House colleagues to restore funding to missile defense systems that protect our homeland and extend that protection to our allies during the new defense budget mark-up in the coming weeks.

Maintaining and expanding our missile defense system is critical to safeguarding the security of our military and protecting the public. It takes years to construct the infrastructure for additional interceptor missiles and these budget cuts will slow down this vital program at a time when we need it most. Now is not the time to turn back the clock on America’s security.

Boehner and Turner Ask Obama to Stop stimulus from Moving Jobs from One State to Another

Release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) and Congressman Michael Turner (R-Dayton) today sent a letter to President Obama asking him to take action to stop federal “stimulus” dollars from being used to lure jobs away from one state to another. Boehner and Turner sent the letter to the President after learning that “stimulus” dollars were apparently used to help convince NCR to move its worldwide headquarters from Ohio to Georgia, resulting in major job losses for Ohio’s Miami Valley region.

Below are key excerpts; full text of the letter appears below and is available here (PDF).

“Recently, the state of Ohio has faced significant economic challenges with the loss of thousands of jobs across the state. Many of these job losses resulted from the closure of General Motors and Delphi Corporation facilities in the Dayton region, the loss of the DHL air hub in Wilmington, Ohio, and the closure of other businesses statewide. The closure of NCR’s worldwide headquarters represents further economic losses for Ohio and the Miami Valley region.

“We think you would agree that federal stimulus dollars should not be used to allow one state to gain jobs at the expense of another state. It appears federal stimulus funds played a role in NCR’s decision to relocate jobs from Ohio and centralize its operations in Georgia. Certainly luring jobs away from one state to another state violates the spirit of this law. We respectfully request that you direct Vice President Joe Biden, who has been tasked to oversee all stimulus spending, to take the steps necessary to prevent this from happening to other regions that are in economic peril.”

NOTE: Boehner and Turner joined with every U.S. House Republican in voting against the so-called stimulus bill in part due to Democratic leaders rushing the bill to a vote less than 12 hours after it was written in the office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi denying lawmakers the opportunity to read the legislation. Since the bill’s passage in February, Ohio has suffered several “stimulus” missteps, among them:

· $57 million slush-fund to study projects that may never get build instead while denying funds for shovel-ready projects;

· $1.1 million to clean up groundwater at a Cold War-era weapons facility that was cleaned up two years ago;

· $1.2 million to pay for Columbus police recruits’ salaries to the end of the year. While the City of Columbus never was able to explain how it would pay for those officers next year, that may be moot as the city may cut their jobs due to lack of funding. NOTE: President Obama attended the graduation ceremony.

Strickland’s Transportation Slush-Fund Uses Federal Dollars Meant to Create Jobs

This just in...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ohio’s Republican congressional delegation today sent letters to Gov. Ted Strickland and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood citing concerns about how Ohio is spending its federal stimulus dollars on studies that won’t create jobs and requesting openness and transparency for taxpayers. Full text of the letters is below and available here and here.

The Associated Press reported Monday that Ohio has refused to fund some “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects to set aside $57 million for transportation studies.

“While the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act does give governors flexibility on how they spend their state’s federal dollars, it appears that Ohio officials are violating the spirit of the law by diverting money intended for ‘shovel-ready’ projects into a planning slush-fund for proposals that have no funding stream,” the lawmakers wrote to Secretary LaHood.

Ohio’s congressional Republicans previously called on Gov. Strickland to establish an independent, bipartisan oversight board to ensure transparency in how federal dollars are being spent. Gov. Strickland has not responded to that request.

“This is not the first time that your administration has decided to spend federal stimulus in a manner inconsistent with the intentions of the bill and contradictory to the expectations of recipients,” lawmakers wrote to Gov. Strickland, citing a March 14 Cleveland Plain Dealer article detailing concerns from Cleveland schools officials about how education dollars are being allocated.

“In light of media reports indicating that these federal tax dollars are being allocated to programs that clearly violate the spirit of the law, we again ask that you immediately create an independent oversight board to give Ohioans a full and detailed accounting of how taxpayer dollars have already been spent and all planned allocations for the remainder of the year,” lawmakers wrote to Gov. Strickland.

-ee-

March 16, 2009



The Honorable Ted Strickland

Riffe Center, 30th Floor

77 South High Street

Columbus, OH 43215-6108


Governor Strickland:



As federal dollars from the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act become available, it is all the more critical that Ohioans know that their money is being spent wisely on projects that will create much-needed jobs now and provide for the economic recovery our state desperately needs. Ohio’s unemployment rate jumped to 9.4 percent in February, nearly 3 points higher than this time last year.



We are concerned about an Associated Press report Monday which stated that your administration “passed over some ready-to-go construction projects” to spend $57 million on “planning and preliminary studies.” According to the article, both Pennsylvania and Oregon put all of their highway dollars into construction while the Federal Highway Administration “has no other examples of states using stimulus money for planning.”



This is not the first time that your administration has decided to spend federal stimulus dollars in a manner inconsistent with the intentions of the bill and contradictory to the expectations of recipients.



On March 14, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the city’s public schools might not see “the windfall they expected” due to your decision to circumvent traditional school-funding formulas in favor of models developed by your administration. We have long favored local control over education dollars believing that those involved in the day-to-day decisions of educating our children know best how to spend their resources and so we sympathize with Eric Gordon, chief academic officer of Cleveland’s public schools, who said, “It’s not [the Governor’s] to spend.”



While the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act does appear to give governors the flexibility to spend federal stimulus dollars are they see fit, diverting money through non-traditional formulas and impact studies do not uphold the stated intentions of the legislation to create much-needed jobs and put us on the path to prosperity as well as help poor children overcome unnecessary obstacles in their educational needs.



Last month, we called on you to create an independent, bipartisan oversight board to ensure a transparent and open process regarding the State of Ohio’s use of federal stimulus dollars. You have declined to do so, instead favoring a Deputy Inspector General. In light of media reports indicating that these federal tax dollars are being allocated to programs that clearly violate the spirit of the law, we again ask that you immediately create an independent oversight board to give Ohioans a full and detailed accounting of how taxpayer dollars have already been spent and all planned allocations for the remainder of the year. Furthermore, we request that http://recovery.ohio.gov be updated with a detailed accounting of each additional expenditure within 24 hours from any executive or legislative action that appropriates stimulus dollars.



As we noted in our letter of March 4, while we opposed the stimulus bill – offering instead a Republican proposal that would have created 246,000 jobs in Ohio by the end of 2010 – we continue to hope that it works to boost our economy. We want Ohioans to get back to work, we want families and small business owners to have access to the credit they need and, most of all, we want Ohioans to have a bright future.



Sincerely,



[see here for signatures]



April 16, 2009



The Honorable Ray LaHood

Secretary of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590





Dear Secretary LaHood:



On Monday, President Obama announced that more than 2,000 transportation projects in states like Ohio have been funded with federal dollars provided by the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Of serious concern, however, is an Associated Press report on the state of Ohio’s plan to divert $57 million in stimulus dollars to transportation studies instead of creating much-needed jobs right now through the “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects clearly intended by the President.



You were questioned on this matter Monday during an interview on FOX News and responded, “If there is an issue with some program in Ohio, I guarantee I will be on the telephone this afternoon making sure that money is being spent correctly.” While the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act does give governors flexibility on how they spend their state’s federal dollars, it appears that Ohio officials are violating the spirit of the law by diverting money intended for “shovel-ready” projects into a planning slush-fund for proposals that have no funding stream.



According to the Associated Press, Ohio “transportation officials passed over some ready-to-go construction projects and steered about 7 percent of their $774 million share for planning and preliminary studies.”



Mr. Secretary, the American people have a right to know that their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent wisely. Like you, we want to see our aging transportation infrastructure repaired and, where necessary, replaced. We want to see jobs created now and we want to see our economy get back on the path to prosperity. The process for allocating stimulus dollars should be open and transparent, and every taxpayer should be able to immediately see where money is being spent and why, which is why we ask you to immediately review Ohio’s list as well as ready-to-go projects that were denied funding in order to study other proposals. We thank you in advance for your response to our concerns.



Sincerely,



[see here for signatures]

OH-03: Media Bias or Screw Up?

Check out this AP story on OH-03 Congressman Mike Turner. Apparently, if a candidate visits a board of elections office at the request of a board member during early voting, said official can be locked up on murder charges. I read it in an AP story, so it MUST BE TRUE... Welcome to yet another peak in to Obama's America...

AP Story on Turner

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Montgomery County Dems Cry "Wolf!" in Publicity Stunt Aimed at Rep. Turner

HT: OhioMedia Guide

The Dayton Daily Democrat told the whole story for a change. The far leftist rag Mother Jones accused Rep. Turner of failing to disclose an income source of his wife, which might have been a violation of the Ethics in Government Act. Unfortunately for Mother Jones, Jane Mitakides, and the Montgomery County Democratic Party, Rep. Turner DID properly disclose the relationship as this DDN excerpt shows:

In response, Turner sent the Dayton Daily News a letter from Turner's lawyer, Martin Foos of Faruki Ireland & Cox, confirming that Peebles Homes of Beavercreek was a subsidiary of Turner Effect.

He also solicited an opinion from Stan Simpson, counsel for the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for the U.S. House of Representatives, indicating that Turner need not have disclosed the subsidiary.

"The manner in which "Turner Effect" is disclosed on your Member's report satisfies the disclosure requirements, even assuming that the company owns a subsidiary," Simpson wrote.

An ethics watchdog confirmed it.

"The rules don't require Congressman Turner to disclose his wife's subsidiary," said Naomi Seligman, a spokeswoman for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a government watchdog group.

If those uber-liberals at CREW sign off on it, then the Montgomery County Democrats seriously blew the call...

As usual, this is another in a series of actions undertaken by Ohio Democratic parties that overplay the Culture of Corruption angle. Note to Chris Redfern and pals (like Jack Zettler): This isn't 2006...

OH-03: Turner Update

Previously on WMD, we reported the fact that Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH-03) had voted with Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Pluto) on the idea of impeaching the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

As I suspected, but was unable to confirm at the time (due, in part, to bad tradecraft on my end), Rep. Turner's vote was part of a strategery to kill the articles of impeachment in committee. Subsequent articles on the subject have shed some light on the subject and I wanted to let WMD's audience know that we are now in contact with the Team Turner and are discussing the issue. We are hoping to have the definitive statement on this subject shortly.

So, if you've sent in emails or called the offices, your message has been heard and a clarification is on the way. Thanks!

UPDATE: I am expecting nothing further on this subject...

Turner for Impeachment

I have held off writing on this for a few days because I wanted to verify whether or not Rep. Turner really is for impeachment or not. His campaign doesn't seem to know and the email I sent in to a staffer contact was not returned. I don't know if my mayor is serious or not about impeaching the president under Crazy Kucinich's plan; but judging by the silence, I'm going to have to say that he is.

If you live in OH-03, please send Rep. Turner an email through the contact form or give him a call at (202) 225-6465. You might try one of his district offices at (937) 225-2843 (Dayton) or Phone: (937) 383-8931 (Wilmington).

This will NOT stand.

Rep. Turner Gets Smeared

If you've been around WMD long enough, you know that I think of Mike Turner as my mayor; because he was -- and the best mayor Dayton has had in my lifetime too. I've been a bit disappointed in him as a Congressman, but Turner represents OH-03 with skill, grace, and dignity.

So when I see liberal hacks like those guys over at ThinkProgress smear Mike Turner, it really ticks me off.

They claim that Turner (and President Bush and Senator McCain too, for that matter) have attempted to claim credit for the GI Bill after having voted against it. This is a gross distortion of what actually happened and these hacks know it.

The truth is quite simple. Rep. Turner voted for the second GI Bill which was included in the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008. The first bill, which Turner did vote against, was seriously flawed. The original raised taxes and the second version contained a provision which Turner wanted in the bill that allows veterans to transfer their benefits to members of their immediate family.

Rep. Turner is a stalwart defender of veterans and their issues. He is a member of both the Armed Services Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee. He has supported the military and veterans throughout his career. He has been a strong supporter of the VA and he has been a very vocal advocate for military victims of violent crime.

I find it rather incredulous that liberals are so desperate that they would attack Turner on these issues. But they are...unfortunately for them, Turner has a record that he can be proud of and when you inspect his record, the absurdity of this line of attack is revealed as the vicious smear that it is.

Jane Mitakides, his Demcoratic opponent, ought to denounce this smear job, but I'm not holding my breath.

RELEASE: House Protects Custody Rights of Military Parents

This just in...

Washington, D.C. - For the second time in two years, the U.S. House has passed Congressman Michael Turner’s (OH-03) provision to protect the custody rights of military parents.

In May of 2007, the U.S. House passed, as part of the Defense Authorization Bill, a provision Rep. Turner introduced to restrict courts from changing the custody of a service member’s child while they are deployed and unable to participate in the proceeding. Today, the House expanded on Rep. Turner’s custody provision by unanimously passing H.R. 6048.

“No parent, courageous and honorable enough to volunteer to serve in the U.S. military, should have their time spent overseas in defense of our nation used against them in their custody disputes. These brave men and women are heroes and deserve every measure of our support while they are deployed and when they return home to their families.”

H.R. 6048 amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation. H.R. 6048 includes three main conditions that:

1) No court may permanently alter an existing custody agreement while a military parent is deployed;

2) Upon the return of the servicemember from deployment, any temporary change in custody shall be immediately reversed; and

3) No court may consider a military parent’s deployment or possible deployment as a basis for terminating permanent custody.

In 2007, Rep. Turner met Lt. Eva Slusher who lost custody of her daughter because of her 18-month mobilization with the Kentucky National Guard. Lt. Slusher was only able to regain custody of her daughter after a two-year, $25,000 battle.

As recently as January of this year, National Guard Specialist Tanya Towne was stripped of custody of her son because of her deployment to Iraq , demonstrating a need for Rep. Turner’s custody provision.

“Unfortunately, these cases are not isolated incidents. In some cases, courts are overturning established custody arrangements while the custodial parent is serving in Iraq or Afghanistan ,” Rep. Turner said. “To use a person’s service to our nation against them as a parent is indefensible, and something that the bill I sponsored will correct. This bill protects our service members and it protects their children.”