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For Immediate Release:

Monday, March 14, 2022

Columbus, OH — Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters slammed Mike DeWine for once again caving to extremists in the legislature and special interests by signing Senate Bill 215 into law. The legislation, known as Ohio’s permitless carry bill, would allow anyone over 21 to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, ultimately avoiding a background check in the process.

The legislation has been widely opposed by groups across Ohio, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, the Ohio Mayors Alliance and many others, because it would make Ohioans – especially law enforcement officers – more vulnerable to gun violence.

“By signing this bill into law, Mike DeWine has sold out Ohioans and law enforcement officers to special interest groups and extremists in the legislature. This bill will make all Ohioans less safe. Time and again, DeWine has promised to support law enforcement officers and ‘do something’ to combat gun violence in our state. Once again, he’s failed on both fronts, putting his own political interests over the safety and well-being of his constituents,” said Chair Walters.

After a tragic mass shooting in Dayton in 2019, Mike DeWine promised Ohioans that he would ‘do something’ to address the threat of gun violence. Once again, DeWine has broken that promise, one of many he’s failed to keep as governor.

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  March 14, 2022 

Good Monday afternoon, and welcome back to Mike Check, your weekly source of all the infighting, conspiracy spewing and corruption that’s making headlines in and around the Republican governor’s race and Mike DeWine’s statehouse, courtesy of the Ohio Democratic Party.

As the gubernatorial race heats up, Republicans are in disarray with Mike DeWine’s popularity dropping by the day, facing attacks both inside and outside of the Republican Party and having to answer for the largest public corruption scandal in state history. It’s hard to keep up with all of the corruption and mess surrounding Mike DeWine and the GOP gubernatorial primary, so here are some stories you may have missed:

DEWINE DIPS, DODGES, DUCKS AND DIVES. Mike DeWine is running scared, so nervous about the likes of Jim Renacci and Joe Blystone that he won’t even stand on a stage and debate them. While Ohioans wait for answers on issues ranging from the largest public corruption scandal in state history to why DeWine supported gerrymandered maps five times, DeWine doesn’t believe they deserve the courtesy of a response. Here’s what Ohio media outlets and reporters are saying about DeWine’s dodge:

DeWine’s primary challengers didn’t waste any time either, calling him out for once again hiding from Ohio voters:

DON’T HURT YOUR BACK ON THAT FLIP-FLOP. Last Thursday, on the anniversary of the American Rescue Plan, DeWine once again tried to claim credit for legislation he opposed when he announced $650 million for child care centers across Ohio, funding that was secured through the American Rescue Plan which was passed solely with Democratic support. Mike DeWine has been on record saying he would have opposed the stimulus package. But now that there’s money and credit to claim in an election year, DeWine has no trouble taking credit for someone else’s work. When asked about his past opposition to the bill, DeWine attempted the flip-flop of the century, and fell squarely on his face. WATCH.

CREATING ELECTION CHAOS. Mike DeWine and Republicans have now broken the law five times and are leaving Ohio’s military members serving overseas to pay the price by creating chaos and confusion. Last week, DeWine again caved to those in his own party and signed Senate Bill 11, which only leaves servicemembers more questions than answers about how their vote will be counted. As Republicans on the commission continue to do the bidding of their own political party and special interest donors, the costs for Ohioans will only continue to rise. In addition to the harm done to servicemembers, Ohioans could pay tens of millions of dollars if the May 3 primary is moved, all because Republicans refuse to do their jobs and pass fair maps. And right now, less than two months before the scheduled primary, Ohio still doesn’t have final maps in place.

GOVERNOR HOUSEHOLDER? Even under indictment for the largest public corruption scandal in state history, former House Speaker Larry Householder appears to have more pull in the legislature than a weak Mike DeWine. Gannett’s Laura Bischoff obtained text messages showing Householder still regularly weighs in and attempts to sway Republicans on legislation. And they often listen. Meanwhile, Mike DeWine sits on the sidelines as the legislature continues to strip his power and railroad his agenda.

Thanks for catching up with us, that’s all the Mike Check we’ve got for this week. If you have questions my email is [email protected]. Have a great week!

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Columbus, OH — On the anniversary of the American Rescue Plan becoming law last week, Multimillionaire Matt Dolan hosted a roundtable with law enforcement to celebrate the hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for law enforcement that Democrats delivered for Ohio via the American Rescue Plan. 

Ohio Capital Journal’s Nick Evans reported that Dolan, “like many other Republicans running for office, also tries to take credit for a quarter billion dollars in new funding from the American Rescue Plan.” Dolan is also running TV ads touting the new police funding – which, again, was passed by congressional Democrats as part of the American Rescue Plan Dolan claims he would have voted against. 

“Matt Dolan is such a weak RINO that he is campaigning on one of Joe Biden and Democrats’ signature accomplishments. Instead of owning his opposition to more funding for police and support for Ohioans to get back to work, Matt Dolan has decided he’d rather be a shameless hypocrite and tout funding he would have voted against,” said Michael Beyer, a spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party. 

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For Immediate Release:

March 11, 2022

Columbus, OH – Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters released the following statement celebrating the one-year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan becoming law: 

“Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Senator Brown, Representatives Fudge, Ryan, Beatty, and Kaptur, the American Rescue Plan became law one year ago today, putting money in the pockets of working families, lowering healthcare costs for families and speeding up vaccine distribution to get Ohioans back to work and school. The American Rescue Plan provided monumental relief to those hit hardest by the pandemic: Ohio families, workers, and small businesses. 

“As Democrats have been laser-focused on lowering everyday costs for working families, Ohio Republicans – from the congressional delegation, to the millionaires running for U.S. Senate, and to Mike DeWine – have opposed these efforts since they don’t help their wealthy and well-connected donors. When Ohioans see this critical funding in their communities, they will know it came from Democrats who are laser-focused on helping working families, rebuilding our communities and preparing Ohio to take on China and rise to meet the challenges of the 21st century.” 

BACKGROUND: 

The American Rescue Plan cut taxes and lowered costs for Ohio families. 

• 1,252,000 Ohio families with 2,161,000 children received tax cuts from the American Rescue Plan’s expanded Child Tax Credit, which averaged to $452 a month per family, totaling more than $3.31 billion in tax cuts in 2021. 
• As of August 2021, the American Rescue Plan’s expanded premium tax credits were saving Americans $40 per person per month on premiums, with over 1/3 of customers finding plans for less than $10 per month. Additionally, the median deductible for new plan enrollees dropped by 90%, from $450 to $50. 
• $1.29 billion in 2021 in Child Care Development Fund allocations and child care stabilization funding through the American Rescue Plan.
• $271 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding from April to November of 2021, helping Ohio households afford rent and pay bills because of the American Rescue Plan. 

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For Immediate Release:

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Columbus, OH — Today, the Ohio Democratic Party slammed Republicans for breaking the law five times and leaving Ohio’s military members serving overseas to pay the price by creating chaos and confusion. Ohio Republicans have had five opportunities to follow the law and pass fair maps, but they’ve chosen to pass gerrymandered maps each time instead. Now, because of the election chaos created by Republicans, Ohio’s overseas servicemembers are left with more questions than answers about how their votes will be counted.

“From the beginning, Republicans have known that their decision to pass gerrymandered maps would have dire consequences for Ohioans, yet chose to break the law anyway. Now, they’re leaving Ohio servicemembers and voters to pay the price. The best answer here is not to punish Ohioans; it’s to pass fair maps and make the necessary adjustments to the primary election to ensure every Ohioan can be confident their vote will be counted fairly and accurately,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters.

As Republicans on the commission continue to do the bidding of their own political party and special interest donors, the costs for Ohioans will only continue to rise. In addition to the harm done to servicemembers, Ohioans could pay tens of millions of dollars if the May 3 primary is moved, all because Republicans refuse to do their jobs and pass fair maps. And right now, less than two months before the scheduled primary, Ohio still doesn’t have final maps in place.

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