Nenni Announces for 53rd District

From the Oxford Press:

MIDDLETOWN — Former two-term Middletown City Commissioner and local businessman Paul Nenni announced Thursday that he'll be seeking the Republican nomination for the 53rd Ohio House seat.

Nenni, a certified public accountant, will be seeking the seat currently held by four-term state Rep. Shawn Webster of Hanover Twp., who will be barred from seeking re-election due to term limits.

Nenni said he has spent the time focusing on his family and business since leaving the city commission in 1999.

Now that his two daughters are older, Nenni said he has "a lot of free time now."

"I have a desire to do it plus the availability to be in Columbus, three, four or five days a week," he said.

Nenni believes his 34 years of business experience, his accounting background and his patriotism from his Marine Corps service makes him a good, honest and caring politician for the county he lives in.

I had been hearing that there was going to be a candidate announcement out of the 53rd, and I am pretty sure that this is it...

He gets my support with this comment:

"We need new blood in Columbus," Nenni said. "We need people who can hit the ground running and to get the job done."

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Road Closure Notice - Seward Road Near Route 4

This via my good friend Scott of Fairfield Republicans:

CITY OF FAIRFIELD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATED SEWARD ROAD CLOSURE FOR RAILROAD CROSSING WORK

MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT THE CSX RAILROAD CROSSING LOCATED ON SEWARD ROAD (BETWEEN STATE ROUTE 4 AND PORT UNION ROAD) WILL BE CLOSED FOR AN ADDITIONAL ONE TO TWO WEEKS. THE ROAD WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO BE CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC FOR FIVE (5) DAYS BEGINNING AT 9 A.M. ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2007, TO ALLOW CSX TO REPAIR THE CROSSING.

WORK ON THE CROSSING IS WEATHER DEPENDENT.

DURING THE CLOSURE A DETOUR WILL BE POSTED DIRECTING THROUGH TRAFFIC AROUND THE CLOSURE VIA STATE ROUTE 4 AND BY-PASS STATE ROUTE 4 AND PORT UNION ROAD.

AN ADDITIONAL DETOUR WILL BE VIA STATE ROUTE 4 AND MUHLHAUSER ROAD AND PORT UNION ROAD.


CONTACT: Ben Mann

City Engineer

Public Works Department

8870 N. Gilmore Road

Fairfield, Ohio 45014

Butler County GOP Seeking Candidates

From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

The Butler County Republican Party will screen potential candidates Oct. 3 for some of the offices appearing on the March primary election ballot.

Candidates for Common Pleas Courts, U.S. Congressional Districts No. 1 and 8, and state central committee should notify Sandy Ewen in writing by Thursday.

Fax 513-858-4634.

Boehner: SCHIP Proposal Expands Government-Run Health Care, Includes Hidden Earmarks & Aids lllegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today made clear his strong opposition to legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), saying the program should focus on the needs of low-income children, not adults or upper-income children who already have private sector health care.

In classic “Washington-style math,” the bill could classify 1,516 Ohio as rich and poor at the same time. According to an analysis by the Heritage Foundation, 1,516 families could pay the Alternative Minimum Tax – intended to prevent the very rich from skipping out on paying taxes – and qualify at the same time for SCHIP – intended to provide healthcare to children of low-income families.

Boehner issued the following statement regarding the SCHIP proposal:

“Republicans support renewing SCHIP to help states provide health care to low-income children, which is exactly why we’re opposing this disappointing bill today. Using this critical program to provide government benefits to adults, illegal immigrants, and upper-income families who can afford private health insurance is bad policy. Federal funds targeted for low-income children should benefit low-income children. Period.

“Republicans created this program in 1997 for exactly this purpose – as a means to help children in low-income families – not as a first step towards a massive expansion of government-run health care for all Americans. The children this program is intended to serve deserve better, as do American taxpayers. Unfortunately, this bill also includes hidden earmarks and opens the door for illegal immigrants to enjoy taxpayer-funded health benefits.

“Throughout this process, some lawmakers have sought to ensure a presidential veto rather than avoid it, putting politics first instead of focusing on the needs of low-income children. Having ignored repeated calls from House Republicans to work together on commonsense solutions for America ’s neediest children, the majority has now produced a fatally-flawed bill that deserves to be vetoed. With only five days until the program’s September 30th expiration date, I’m hopeful we can put politics aside and focus on the 6.6 million low-income children who need quality health insurance. Republicans remain committed to renewing SCHIP and providing low-income children with the health care they need.”

There are anywhere from 236,000 to 245,000 children in Ohio who currently have no health coverage. But nearly 165,000 of those childrens’ parents have not signed them up for the program, despite the benefits it would provide. What’s more, studies and surveys repeatedly have shown that opening up eligibility to government-funded programs like SCHIP leads to a decline in those who participate in private insurance despite preferring private health insurance.

NOTE: Republicans have repeatedly called for House Democrats to work together on bipartisan solutions that focus on helping low-income children obtain quality health care benefits. As recently as September 19th, Leader Boehner and Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) requesting that she back an 18-month extension of the SCHIP program sponsored by Energy & Commerce Ranking Republican Joe Barton (R-TX). The extension would give both Republicans and Democrats ample time to reauthorize the program in a more responsible fashion and in the same bipartisan spirit that marked the creation of the program in 1997.

Ask Boehner: Investing in Our Security, Passport Rules Reinstated

I occasionally use this column to answer questions from 8th District constituents. You may submit questions to askboehner@mail.house.gov. My office is available to help constituents and you will find contact information at the end of this column.

I’ve heard that you made a comment during a television interview about our troops in Iraq but I’ve heard it from so many different places that I was hoping you could tell me what you said and why you said it.

During a live interview with CNN while I was traveling in Iraq to thank our troops for their hard work, I was asked about the money we’re spending in Iraq – an amount the show’s host quoted as $2 billion to $3 billion a week. This is a lot of money. But when we look at this money in the context of the investment we’re making to defeat al Qaeda, protect our interests here and abroad, win the global War on Terror and provide the equipment and resources our troops need to do their job, that investment is well worth the price. However, any attempt to put a dollar figure on what our troops are doing in Iraq does a disservice to their sacrifices that will make us, our children, our grandchildren and generations to come safer.

Unfortunately what’s happened is certain parts of that interview have been cherry-picked and spliced to create an entirely new meaning to my words. Now, as anyone who’s watched recent elections can tell you, negative attacks are part of politics – and that’s true, to a certain extent. What’s not acceptable are partisan attacks aimed at our troops and their families, and character assassinations on the brave men and women who volunteer to serve in our country’s military. Recently, a political group that is pushing for precipitous withdrawal from Iraq bought a full-page ad in a national newspaper attacking the character of Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, and implying that he’s somehow betraying the nation by reporting on progress in Iraq. Elected officials – those of us who choose to run for office as the path to making a better world for our children – understand that people and groups who don’t agree with us may resort to misleading attacks. But the men and women who bravely serve in the armed forces do not deserve such a heinous assault on their character.

During my trip to Iraq , I had lunch with Ohio soldiers in Baghdad and also met with Col. Michael Garrett, a 1984 Xavier University graduate who now serves as the commanding officer of Forward Operating Base Kalsu. After returning from Iraq , I met with five Ohio families who lost their sons there. These families came to thank me for my commitment to supporting our efforts in the global War on Terror. These families wanted me to know that they’re committed to winning because they want their sons’ sacrifices to be worth something.

I’m including here a transcript of the complete question and answer from the CNN interview so you can see what I was asked and how I answered:

Excerpt from CNN Interview transcript, September 10, 2007:

BLITZER: Mr. Leader, here is the question. How much longer will U.S. taxpayers have to shell out $2 billion a week or $3 billion a week as some now are suggesting the cost is going to endure, the loss and blood the Americans who are killed every month, how much longer do you think this commitment, this military commitment, is going to require?

BOEHNER: I think General Petraeus outlined it pretty clearly. We're making success, but we need to firm up those successes. We need to continue our effort here because, Wolf, long term the investment that we're making today will be a small price if we're able to stop al Qaeda here, if we're able to stabilize the Middle East . It's not only going to be a small price for the near future, but think about the future for our kids and their kids. This is a very important effort on the part of the United States to secure our national interests and to secure our security interests, especially when it comes to al Qaeda, who has been our number one enemy here in Iraq .

My family is planning a Thanksgiving trip to Mexico and we remember hearing that the new passport rules were no longer in effect. Do we still need passports?

Yes. Beginning Oct. 1, anyone age 16 and older traveling by air to Canada , Mexico , the Caribbean and Bermuda will need a passport. Due to an extensive backlog, the State Department temporarily relaxed that requirement but the rules will soon go back into effect. While the State Department says the standard application process will take 10 to 12 weeks and the expedited process two to three weeks, my office found that the standard application was taking 12 to 16 weeks and expedited applications were taking three to six weeks. Even though the State Department will have processed much of the backlog, I still encourage anyone planning to travel by air to Canada , Mexico , the Caribbean and Bermuda should apply for a passport as early as possible. Information may be found at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.

If you are an 8th District resident and have questions about either of these issues – or other issues with the federal government – please contact my office toll-free, 1-800-583-1001.

Boehner Arrives in Iraq , Leading Congressional Trip to Review Troops’ Progress Under Operation Phantom Thunder

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) arrived in Iraq today, leading a seven-member congressional delegation to review the progress made by U.S. troops described by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker under Operation Phantom Thunder. Boehner issued the following statement on the delegation visit:

“My Republican colleagues and I have said throughout the year that it is our duty to listen to the commanders on the ground as we make key decisions on the next steps in Iraq . This congressional delegation visit will give us the opportunity to listen to them in person and see firsthand how General Petraeus’ strategy has laid the foundation for important security and political gains ahead.

“Our troops have made irrefutable progress against al Qaeda in Iraq but, as General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker reported to Congress this week, there is still much work to be done – particularly when it comes to political reconciliation. Though reconciliation has begun to take hold in towns and villages across Iraq , everyone – Democrats and Republicans alike – hopes Iraqis will make progress more quickly on a national basis. It is my hope that this trip will give us a chance to see the challenges that lie ahead, while gaining a greater appreciation for the significant strides our troops have made under Operation Phantom Thunder.

“Most importantly, this trip will give us a chance to thank our troops for their efforts in Iraq and service to our country. Our men and women in uniform have joined with Iraqi Forces in taking the fight to al Qaeda and brought greater stability and security in Iraq . It is now our responsibility to make a bipartisan commitment to solidify those gains and bring our troops home after victory, not defeat.”

NOTE: Joining Boehner in Iraq are Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), Ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA), Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), and Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH).

Boehner Column: "A Chance to Improve No Child Left Behind"

Five years ago, President Bush signed into law No Child Left Behind at Hamilton High School . This law represents the most sweeping education reform in a generation – an effort to end decades of failed federal education policy that allowed billions of taxpayer dollars to be spent without insisting on results for students, rewards for good teachers, and direct involvement by parents.

Congress is currently working to rewrite this legislation – updating it to continue meeting educational challenges and working to provide states and local school boards more flexibility than the original law allowed in how they can choose to spend federal dollars. We should look at what has worked since No Child Left Behind was first implemented and use those lessons to write a new law that more effectively tracks the reform principles that guided the original bill.

Flexibility and Local Control

Republicans have long believed that states and local school districts should have maximum flexibility in how they spend federal dollars as long as they are willing to commit to increased student achievement. I recently signed on as a supporter of the State and Local Flexibility Improvement Act that allows local entities to transfer up to 100 percent of their dollars among the various federal education funding streams and provide states with additional flexibility in the design of their accountability systems. It is simply unacceptable for us to deny states and school districts this type of freedom and flexibility.

No Loopholes in Accountability

Prior to No Child Left Behind, states accepted billions of dollars each year in federal education aid but were not held accountable for using that money to get academic results for all children. Disadvantaged students were written off as unteachable and shuffled through the system without receiving a quality education. I hope that in writing a new bill, there will be no loopholes for chronically underachieving schools to evade identification as a school in need of improvement or as a school in need of restructuring. As Congress writes legislation to reauthorize No Child Left Behind, we must ensure it is free of loopholes that permit children to fall through the cracks.

School Choice

Before No Child Left Behind, millions of parents were in the dark about how their child’s school was performing – and they had no options if they suspected the school was underachieving. One of the most important reforms brought to federal education policy by No Child Left Behind was that it gave parents a choice. For the first time, parents with children in these schools could use their child’s share of federal dollars to choose a better school and/or secure a private tutor, including one from a faith-based entity.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen right here in Ohio the vehement opposition to giving parents these options with proposals to eliminate educational opportunities for low-income students and a line-item veto used by the Governor to eliminate a choice program for students with disabilities. School choice programs give parents and their children options in education, which should be a common goal for all of us.

Among the proposals in the new law being considered is one that would allow an underachieving school to essentially extend the school day and keep students longer rather than encourage them to seek help from private tutors. This is a flawed idea that would take options away from parents and hurt children who are not getting the education they deserve. Additionally, under current law, a school district must set aside 20 percent of its federal Title I dollars to fund outside tutoring for eligible students. But the revised law that is being drafted would require individual schools to set aside this money. While this may seem like only a subtle change, it could cheat tens of thousands of students out of their right to free tutoring services if the total amount of set-aside funds is limited in this way.

Support for Our Teachers

Our teachers are among the most dedicated professionals, and they deserve our support as they educate our children. Several years ago, Republicans enacted a measure that allows teachers to take a tax deduction for money they spend out of their own pocket on classroom expenses like books and crayons. As Congress considers No Child Left Behind reauthorization, we should also pass legislation making permanent this tax relief, which recognizes the sacrifices teachers make to ensure their students get a quality education.

No New Testing

I oppose adding any new testing mandates that would require states to do more testing than is currently required under federal law. Since implementing No Child Left Behind, I have seen no evidence convincing me that we need to test in additional subjects and in more grade levels. Instead of creating more tests, we should make sure the current system is working as it was intended.

We’ve seen many successes under No Child Left Behind, and our children are better for it. But the law is far from perfect. Congress has an opportunity this year to improve No Child Left Behind to allow greater local control, more parental choice, and additional help for good teachers. I hope we seize it.

Boehner: Higher Education Bill Saddles Taxpayers with New, Misdirected Entitlement Spending

So-Called “Student Aid” Bill Subsidizes Institutions and Graduates, Shortchanges Students

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) issued the following statement today opposing the higher education bill (H.R. 2669) because it creates five costly new entitlement programs; provides billions in benefits for those who already graduated from college; and misdirects new, mandatory federal spending toward institutions, rather than students:

“Last year, Republicans expanded student benefits and saved taxpayers billions by fundamentally reforming our student loan programs. This higher education bill guts those reforms by shortchanging students and mortgaging their future to pay for a tidal wave of government spending.

“As our nation grapples with runaway entitlement spending, some in Congress continue to make matters worse by leaving taxpayers on the hook for an explosion of costly new programs. Their higher education bill asks taxpayers to subsidize college graduates and institutions with billions in new spending that will be placed on auto-pilot instead of being subjected to an annual congressional review.

“While some lawmakers insist on burdening taxpayers with new spending and higher taxes, House Republicans have presented plans to balance the budget without raising taxes, keep federal spending in check, and let middle-class families keep more of their own money. It’s often said that once Washington creates a new program, it never goes away. Congress should think twice before forcing taxpayers to pick up the tab for new entitlement programs.”

NOTE: Today’s entitlement bill is only the latest example of new federal spending in the 110th Congress. Since the beginning of the year:

$6 billion in new spending was tacked onto January’s omnibus spending bill to finish the 2007 appropriations process;

A budget with $20 billion spending more than the President’s budget request was passed;

About $17 billion in additional spending was added to the troop funding bill; and

More than half of the annual appropriations measures were passed despite the threat of a Presidential veto because of excessive spending.

Boehner: General Petraeus, Ambassador Crocker Deserve to Be Heard

WASHINGTON, D.C – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued the following statement today on the upcoming testimony by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker and the new report released by the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq, chaired by retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones, on the success of the military surge in Iraq:

“General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker will testify next week on the progress of our troops, and both Republicans and Democrats alike should listen to their conclusions and recommendations with an open mind. It is troubling that Democratic leaders are doing anything and everything they can to dismiss their testimony even before they have the chance to utter a single word before Congress. Republicans have said all year that we will listen to those who have witnessed our successes and setbacks firsthand, and as next week’s testimony approaches, we will await any recommendations, next steps, or adjustments that may be needed in our strategy.

“The report today from General Jones offers Congress valuable insight into the security gains we’re making in Iraq, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. The foremost priority of our troops has been to train, equip, and deploy the Iraqi Army in combat, and General Jones’ report confirms that Iraqi armed forces are becoming increasingly effective and are capable of assuming greater responsibility for the internal security of Iraq. And while the report found that the Iraqi police are making progress, it says we must see more for them to meet their essential security responsibilities. Everyone – the Jones Commission, Republicans, and Democrats alike – expects to see even more progress in Iraq, but it’s clear the foundation for solidifying our security gains has been laid.

“Most importantly, General Jones’ report concludes that ‘the strategic consequences of failure, or even perceived failure, for the United States and the Coalition are enormous,’ and I could not agree more. When Democratic leaders invested their political fortunes in failure in Iraq, they were acutely aware of the risks, and the Jones report underscores the very dire consequences of a precipitous withdrawal and policy options rooted in failure.”

Boehner Op-Ed

Washington Times: "Congressional One-Trick Ponies" by Rep. John Boehner:

“I’ve often said that Democrats are running Congress just as I’ve expected them to, and nowhere is this clearer than on their approach to fiscal policy. And on taxes especially, Democrats have proven to be one-trick ponies; rather than pursuing real spending reform, they’ve singled-out tax increases as a ‘silver bullet’ solution to any and every problem facing our nation. This not only demonstrates an appalling unwillingness to make tough decisions when it comes to the federal budget, and runaway entitlement spending in particular. It also places working families squarely in the crosshairs, ready to absorb higher — and often altogether new — taxes to pay for an onslaught of new spending in Washington .”