We’re back! Thank you for your patience.
WHAT’S NEW FROM CLERMONT TO COLUMBUS
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OHIO SENATE PASSES $75 BILLION BUDGET BILL
The final showdown over what Ohio will spend on schools, Medicaid and income tax cuts is about to begin. The Senate voted 25-8, along party lines, on its version of a $75 billion, two-year state budget Wednesday. The House passed their version in April. And the two chambers have until June 30 to decide who gets to keep what from each plan. READ MORE
TAKE ACTION – From Rachel Coyle – How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse.
The budget passed on Wednesday (6/9). But unfortunately a lot of (Senate President) Matt Huffman’s worst amendments were so last-minute that the public learned about them immediately before the budget passed the Senate, or even after it had passed. His amendments are currently in the bill, but they’re still considered proposals because the budget is still being negotiated.
The House rejected the Senate’s changes to the budget (which they always do). So now there will be a Conference Committee, made up of a few members from the House and a few from the Senate. They will fight out their differences. No public testimony allowed, but public pressure will be key. Everyone should plan to make a lot of phone calls over the next 1-2 weeks!
House Finance Chair – State Rep. Scott Oelslager (614) 752-2438
Senate Finance Chair – Matt Dolan (614) 466-8056
Senate President – Matt Huffman (614) 466-7584
House Speaker – Robert R. Cupp (614) 466-9624
OHIO LAWMAKERS SEEK CHANGE IN WHERE WRONGDOING BY LEGISLATORS COULD BE PROSECUTED
One of the biggest corruption cases in the nation is happening right here in Ohio. Federal prosecutors are going after the former speaker of the Ohio House and the former head of the Ohio Republican Party, along with others, for federal crimes. But if there are crimes that occured at the state level, those could be affected by an amendment that has been slipped into a bill at the Statehouse. READ MORE
SHERROD BROWN ON PASSING VOTING RIGHTS BILL: ‘FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION’
Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate, including Ohio’s senior senator, are working on legislation they say would improve voting rights around the country. But there’s doubt whether the Senate has enough votes to pass the measure. READ MORE
DISCONNECTED: OHIO SENATE CUTS ALL FUNDING FOR BROADBAND IN STATE BUDGET
Columbus, OH — As more than 1 million Ohioans live without internet access in the year 2021, Ohio Senate Republicans last week cut all funding for broadband internet in their version of the state budget that passed strictly along party lines. As the last year has shown us, broadband internet access is one of the most important tools for Ohioans and Ohio businesses to stay connected. But Ohio Senate Republicans prioritized funding for a major tax break that will disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Ohioans instead of funding to help get more Ohioans connected to reliable internet service. READ MORE
WORD FROM THE CHAIR OF THE CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY – RAYMOND LEMBKE
While I am loath to quote British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his remark to the press after meeting with President Biden that it was “a breath of fresh air” is one we can all agree with. However, the hot air coming from Columbus is getting more foul. This piece will focus on two pieces of legislation. These bills are, by no means, the full extent of the evil (not too strong a word) which the Republican supermajority intends to enshrine in Ohio law. READ MORE
JOIN THE DONKEY CLUB
Your Clermont County Democratic Party believes the economy should work for everyone, diversity is a strength, health care is a right, facts and truth matter, fair and effective government is fundamental, and justice is for ALL. We strive to cultivate and elect public servants who reflect these beliefs.
There are two ways you can impact Clermont County Democratic Party with donations: (1) Monthly contributions help us manage our yearly expenses. (2) Annual donations in any amount are welcome. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a recurring monthly contribution we appreciate your support. Join online by clicking the Donation button below or join by mailing a check made out to CCDP PO Box 475, Batavia, Ohio 45103
ONLINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
virtual live training
Do You Want to Run For Office?
Wed., June 16, 2021
8:00pm – 9:00pm (ET)
Are you considering running for office? Are you ready to run and you want to know how? We’re here to help! Join the National Democratic Training Committee on Wednesday, June 16th from 8pm-9pm ET for a free virtual live training on “Do You Want to Run For Office?”
You will learn the following in this training:
- Evaluate if you want to run for office
- Practice sharing your news and what you need from your support team
- Distinguish what you need to research to run for the office you want to pursue
Please note that each “Do You Want to Run for Office?” training is limited capacity to increase opportunities for discussion and participation. A recommended (but not required) course is So You Think You Want to Run?
Have accessibility questions? Reply to your registration email to confirm your requirements or request more information. Register Here
GET INVOLVED AND TAKE ACTION
We fund what we prioritize.
The Ohio Senate passed their version of the State Operating Budget, however, through their legislative process they removed the House-added and AHA-supported, language that would clarify the bottle filling station changes made in the last General Assembly. We still have a chance to reinsert this language through the Conference Committee process but we need your help. At this time, we are actively calling on elected officials who supported this change to support reinsertion. On a positive note, they heeded our request to increase funding for the Produce Perks program, which will incentivize SNAP participants to use their dollars for fruits and vegetables, in addition, the Tobacco Use Prevention funding remains at the AHA-requested amount ($14.5M/year). Time is running out, so we are calling on all Ohioans to help advocate on behalf of those important funding opportunities and policy changes. More Information
Thank you for speaking out for a healthier Ohio!
Dustin Holfinger and Melissa Brown
Your Ohio AHA Advocacy Team
2021 Summer Litter Clean-Up: New logo, new options
BATAVIA, OH – The 2021 Summer Litter Clean-Up (SLC) will be promoted with a new logo, created by Ms. Ellie Arkus, an 11th grade student at New Richmond High School. Registration for the SLC is currently underway and volunteers are wanted to help with litter removal events and activities throughout the entire month of June.
Volunteers may register via the event website and have the option to join in-person events (space limited), or keep things virtual with Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activities in local communities. These options will help the communities have a successful clean-up and adhere to current Covid safety protocols. READ MORE
All On The Line is a national campaign to restore fairness to our democracy and ensure every American has an equal say in our government. The All On The Line campaign is fighting against gerrymandering and pushing for fair maps in redistricting. This practice—gerrymandering—is when politicians pick their voters instead of voters picking their elected officials and it impacts communities across the nation.
This campaign is driven by grassroots organizers who want to make a lasting impact. Whether you care about making sure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care, achieving equal pay, reducing the gun violence that plagues our schools and communities, protecting voting rights, or dealing with the urgent threat of climate change, there is a fundamental structural barrier that prevents progress on these issues: manipulated electoral maps drawn with surgical precision by politicians to preserve their party’s political power and silence the will of the people.
READING ROOM
Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America
Behind today’s headlines of billionaires taking over our government is a secretive political establishment with long, deep, and troubling roots. The capitalist radical right has been working not simply to change who rules, but to fundamentally alter the rules of democratic governance. But billionaires did not launch this movement; a white intellectual in the embattled Jim Crow South did. Democracy in Chains names its true architect—the Nobel Prize-winning political economist James McGill Buchanan—and dissects the operation he and his colleagues designed over six decades to alter every branch of government to disempower the majority.
COVID19 IN OHIO
COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Clinics
The State of Ohio is sponsoring a series of regional and mobile mass vaccination clinics across the state to ensure all Ohioans have access to COVID-19 vaccine as it is more widely available.
Myths vs. Facts COVID-19 Vaccine
Curious about COVID-19 vaccines, their safety, and efficacy? Educate yourself by reading what is a myth, and what is a fact, about COVID-19 vaccines. READ MORE
Ohio COVID19 Vaccination Program
To see Ohio COVID19 cases by zipcode go here.
For information for COVID19 testing in Ohio go here.
For more information about the numbers in Ohio, what precautions you need to take and where you can find resources for testing, mental health assistance and employment visit the
Ohio Department of Health Coronavirus Portal
CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB NEWS
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
Let’s get together for a summer picnic on Friday evening, June 18th 6-9pm Miami Riverview Park, 587 Branch Hill Loveland Rd. 45140. Bring your family and all your progressive friends. Friday is about merriment, fun and celebrating our growing community. It is about meeting our candidates and fostering community. Local elections build our candidate pipeline and local offices greatly affect our schools, traffic, roads, zoning, etc. This election matters.
What to bring?
Your family as the playground is next to the pavilion. A dish to share (anything from an appetizer to a main dish). It’s potluck! Your private picnic if sharing is not within your comfort zone. Something to grill if you’d like that. BYOB alcoholic beverages which are allowed in the park. Best of all? Bobby Kelly is providing a free ice cream truck for kids of all ages!
What’s provided?
DIA will provide charcoal, paper-goods and non-alcoholic beverages.
There is no cost to this event. Join us! RSVP’s are appreciated but not required.
Patty Lawrence – Administrator
QUIN-T DEMOCRAT CLUB
On Thursday, May 20 a group of Quin-T members met at Legendary Run Grille at the Legendary Golf Club to see if it might serve as a new meeting venue. It was a pleasant evening and about a dozen of us sat together on the patio to have dinner. We discussed possible locations for a new venue for QuinT meetings and possibly changing the day we meet. Other topics of discussion were renting a booth at New Richmond River Day, a fall fundraiser and participating in summer parades. We will be meeting again Wed. July 7 at Legendary Run, 7pm. All are welcome.
Cheryl Richards – President
WEST CLERMONT DEMOCRATS
West Clermont Democrats is back to in person meetings in July, and in a new location at Day Heights Fireman’s Memorial Building! Please join us Monday, July 12, 2021. Social time begins at 7:00 PM, the meeting is called to order at 7:30. More details will be posted in the coming days. Check out our event on Facebook here. Look forward to seeing everyone again. You are welcome to bring food / beverages (non-alcoholic) or snacks. We will talk about the future of WCD.
Elaine Barnett – President
CLERMONT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CLUB DIRECTORY
Below is a listing of Democratic groups in Clermont County. Right now a lot of upcoming meetings are cancelled due to the concerns about COVID19. Remember this is temporary. We will get through this! Click on the name of each club and it will take you to their website or Facebook page with updated information about meetings. Some groups are conducting virtual meetings while others are looking to outside locations.
| Quin-T Democrat Club | Democracy In Action | |
| West Clermont Democrats | Clermont County Young Democrats | |
| The Goshen Democratic Club | Drinking Liberally |
Clermont County Democratic Party Central Committee
Wednesday, June 16⋅7:00 – 9:00pm via Zoom Please contact Patty Lawrence, Central Committee Chair at: p.lawrence@fuse.net for more information.
Clermont County Democratic Party Executive Committee
Next meeting June 24, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m. by Zoom – expect Nan Whaley to join us.
STAY CONNECTED
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This is your newsletter. We welcome you to submit news items, events, book reviews or anything else you feel is important to advance our Democratic values in Clermont County. Next issue will be published Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Deadline for submissions for the next issue is Friday, June 25, 2021. Send your submission with the word “Newsletter” in the subject line to our newsletter editor Cheryl Richards at: cheryl1richards@gmail.com
Share the newsletter with your friends and encourage them to sign up for our bi-weekly newsletter at clermontdems.org
Clermont County Democratic Party
174 E. Main Street P.O. Box 475
Batavia, OH, 45103
513-732-2378
Paid for by the Clermont County Democratic Party, Judith Miller, Treasurer