Uncategorized

For Immediate Release:
Friday, April 8, 2022
CONTACT: Cameron Keir, [email protected], 614-506-5413

Ohio Democrats Bring “Cost of Corruption” Tour to Cincinnati

From the Largest Public Corruption Scandal in State History to Major Tax Breaks for the Wealthy, Ohioans are Paying Billions for Republican Corruption

Cincinnati, OH —  Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters, Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington, Ohio Secretary of State candidate Chelsea Clark and Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Pavan Parikh brought the “Cost of Corruption” tour to Cincinnati to highlight the high costs Ohioans are paying for GOP corruption under Mike DeWine’s leadership.

Ohio Democrats drew the contrast between the high cost of Republican corruption and the Democratic plan to invest in working families and put the interests of working Ohioans first.

“At a time when too many Ohioans are worried about high costs and making ends meet, Mike DeWine and his fellow Republicans are making you pay the price for their corruption while Democrats are laser-focused on investing in working families” said Chair Walters.

Under Mike DeWine’s leadership, Ohioans are paying billions for GOP corruption as Republican politicians look to line their own pockets and the pockets of dark money interest groups, all while leaving hard-working Ohioans behind.

“I know firsthand how hard it is when you’re struggling to make ends meet – to put food on the table or pay for prescription drugs. The last thing we should be asking hard-working Ohioans to shell out for is GOP corruption that puts working families further and further behind,” said Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington.

“I’m running for Secretary of State because Ohio voters deserve a champion who is on their side, not one who caves to partisan pressure, only looks out for himself and leaves Ohioans to foot the bill,” said Ohio Secretary of State candidate Chelsea Clark.

Ohio Democrats are offering a better way forward.

“I spent four years at the statehouse fighting against Republican backroom deals that hurt Ohioans every day. While Republicans are costing you billions, Ohio Democrats are investing over 9 billion federal dollars to fix highways across Ohio, $100 million to bring broadband to those that don’t have it and $1.4 billion to assure clean and safe drinking water is available every time you turn on the tap,” said Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Pavan Parikh.

Ohioans are paying BILLIONS of dollars for GOP corruption at Mike DeWine’s statehouse, including:

• $287,000 every single day for subsidies that bail out an out-of-state coal plant and are tied to the largest public corruption scandal in state history. The subsidies are estimated to cost Ohioans up to $1.8 billion by 2030.
• $9 billion for special interest tax giveaways that mostly benefit for-profit corporations.
• $1.85 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, including wealthy GOP lawmakers who leave working Ohioans behind.
• $118 million in improper Medicaid payments made to ineligible dead or incarcerated individuals.
• $20 million promised in tax credits to Lordstown Motors, a company currently under investigation by the DOJ and SEC and that employs DeWine’s grandson as its lobbyist.
• $17.5 million settlement for a man who was paralyzed after being tackled by state prison guards.
• $9 million for the election chaos created by Republicans who refuse to pass fair maps. Their refusal to do their jobs will likely make a May 3 primary impossible, likely costing Ohioans another $20 million.
• $763,000 and counting to litigate the GOP-gerrymandered maps in court.
• $39,000 for Mike DeWine’s private airplane travel to taxpayer-funded photo ops in 2019.

At a time when Ohio families are worried about their ability to make ends meet, the last thing they should be spending their hard-earned money on is the corruption running rampant at Mike DeWine’s statehouse. Ohio Democrats are ready to offer a better way forward.

###

For Immediate Release:
Friday, April 8, 2022
CONTACT: Cameron Keir, [email protected], 614-506-5413

Ohio Democrats Bring “Cost of Corruption” Tour to Dayton

From the Largest Public Corruption Scandal in State History to Major Tax Breaks for the Wealthy, Ohioans are Paying Billions for Republican Corruption

Dayton, OH —  Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters, Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington and Ohio Secretary of State candidate Chelsea Clark brought Ohio Democrats’ “Cost of Corruption” tour to Dayton to highlight the high costs Ohioans are paying for GOP corruption under Mike DeWine’s leadership.

Ohio Democrats drew the contrast between the high cost of Republican corruption and the Democratic plan to invest in working families and put the interests of working Ohioans first.

“At a time when too many Ohioans are worried about high costs and making ends meet, Mike DeWine and his fellow Republicans are making you pay the price for their corruption while Democrats are laser-focused on investing in working families,” said Chair Walters. 

Under Mike DeWine’s leadership, Ohioans are paying billions for GOP corruption as Republican politicians look to line their own pockets and the pockets of dark money interest groups, all while leaving hard-working Ohioans behind.

“I know firsthand how hard it is when you’re struggling to make ends meet – to put food on the table or pay for prescription drugs. The last thing we should be asking hard-working Ohioans to shell out for is GOP corruption that puts working families further and further behind,” said Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington.

Ohio Democrats are offering a better way forward.

“I’m running for Secretary of State because Ohio voters deserve a champion who is on their side, not one who caves to partisan pressure, only looks out for himself and leaves Ohioans to foot the bill,” said Ohio Secretary of State candidate Chelsea Clark.

Ohioans are paying BILLIONS of dollars for GOP corruption at Mike DeWine’s statehouse, including:

• $287,000 every single day for subsidies that bail out an out-of-state coal plant and are tied to the largest public corruption scandal in state history. The subsidies are estimated to cost Ohioans up to $1.8 billion by 2030.
• $9 billion for special interest tax giveaways that mostly benefit for-profit corporations.
• $1.85 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, including wealthy GOP lawmakers who leave working Ohioans behind.
• $118 million in improper Medicaid payments made to ineligible dead or incarcerated individuals.
• $20 million promised in tax credits to Lordstown Motors, a company currently under investigation by the DOJ and SEC and that employs DeWine’s grandson as its lobbyist.
• $17.5 million settlement for a man who was paralyzed after being tackled by state prison guards.
• $9 million for the election chaos created by Republicans who refuse to pass fair maps. Their refusal to do their jobs will likely make a May 3 primary impossible, likely costing Ohioans another $20 million.
• $763,000 and counting to litigate the GOP-gerrymandered maps in court.
• $39,000 for Mike DeWine’s private airplane travel to taxpayer-funded photo ops in 2019.

At a time when Ohio families are worried about their ability to make ends meet, the last thing they should be spending their hard-earned money on is the corruption running rampant at Mike DeWine’s statehouse. Ohio Democrats are ready to offer a better way forward.

###

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 7, 2022
CONTACT: Cameron Keir, [email protected], 614-506-5413

Ohio Democrats Bring “Cost of Corruption” Tour to Lima

From the Largest Public Corruption Scandal in State History to Major Tax Breaks for the Wealthy, Ohioans are Paying Billions for Republican Corruption

Lima, OH —  Today, Ohio Attorney General candidate Jeff Crossman, Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington and Ohio Treasurer candidate Scott Schertzer brought Ohio Democrats’ “Cost of Corruption” tour to Lima to highlight the high costs Ohioans are paying for GOP corruption under Mike DeWine’s leadership.

Ohio Democrats drew the contrast between the high cost of Republican corruption and the Democratic plan to invest in working families and put the interests of working Ohioans first.

“Ohio finds itself in the middle of the largest public corruption scandal in state history that’s led to the arrest of a former Republican Party chair, the expulsion of a former Speaker of the House – an expulsion I helped lead – and the resignation of a top aide to Gov. Mike DeWine. Yet, working Ohioans are the ones covering the cost of the scandal, footing the bill for $287,000 in subsidies every single day,” said Ohio Attorney General candidate Jeff Crossman.

Under Mike DeWine’s leadership, Ohioans are paying billions for GOP corruption as Republican politicians look to line their own pockets and the pockets of dark money interest groups, all while leaving hard-working Ohioans behind.

“I know firsthand how hard it is when you’re struggling to make ends meet – to put food on the table or pay for prescription drugs. The last thing we should be asking hard-working Ohioans to shell out for is GOP corruption that puts working families further and further behind,” said Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington.

Ohio Democrats are offering a better way forward.

“In Marion, like in so many towns across Ohio, things get done with collaboration and cooperation. We are a community of good people who just want to do what’s right for their families. Corruption has run rampant and politicians like Robert Sprague have been asleep at the wheel. From the FirstEnergy scandal to misspent Medicaid dollars to the governor’s airplane travel, your tax dollars are being wasted, and we haven’t heard a peep from Robert Sprague about what he plans to do about it. We can’t afford to have representatives in Columbus neglecting their duty and failing to look out for you and your tax dollars,” said Ohio Treasurer candidate Scott Schertzer.

Ohioans are paying BILLIONS of dollars for GOP corruption at Mike DeWine’s statehouse, including:

• $287,000 every single day for subsidies that bail out an out-of-state coal plant and are tied to the largest public corruption scandal in state history. The subsidies are estimated to cost Ohioans up to $1.8 billion by 2030.
• $9 billion for special interest tax giveaways that mostly benefit for-profit corporations.
• $1.85 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, including wealthy GOP lawmakers who leave working Ohioans behind.
• $118 million in improper Medicaid payments made to ineligible dead or incarcerated individuals.
• $20 million promised in tax credits to Lordstown Motors, a company currently under investigation by the DOJ and SEC and that employs DeWine’s grandson as its lobbyist.
• $17.5 million settlement for a man who was paralyzed after being tackled by state prison guards.
• $9 million for the election chaos created by Republicans who refuse to pass fair maps. Their refusal to do their jobs will likely make a May 3 primary impossible, likely costing Ohioans another $20 million.
• $763,000 and counting to litigate the GOP-gerrymandered maps in court.
• $39,000 for Mike DeWine’s private airplane travel to taxpayer-funded photo ops in 2019.

At a time when Ohio families are worried about their ability to make ends meet, the last thing they should be spending their hard-earned money on is the corruption running rampant at Mike DeWine’s statehouse. Ohio Democrats are ready to offer a better way forward.

###

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, April 7, 2022
CONTACT: Cameron Keir, [email protected], 614-506-5413

Ohio Democrats Bring “Cost of Corruption” Tour to Toledo

From the Largest Public Corruption Scandal in State History to Major Tax Breaks for the Wealthy, Ohioans are Paying Billions for Republican Corruption

Toledo, OH —  Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters, Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington and Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken brought Ohio Democrats’ “Cost of Corruption” tour to Toledo to highlight the high costs Ohioans are paying for GOP corruption under Mike DeWine’s leadership.

Ohio Democrats drew the contrast between the high cost of Republican corruption and the Democratic plan to invest in working families and put the interests of working Ohioans first.

“At a time when too many Ohioans are worried about high costs and making ends meet, Mike DeWine and his fellow Republicans are making you pay the price for their corruption while Democrats are laser-focused on investing in working families,” said Chair Walters. 

Under Mike DeWine’s leadership, Ohioans are paying billions for GOP corruption as Republican politicians look to line their own pockets and the pockets of dark money interest groups, all while leaving hard-working Ohioans behind.

“I know firsthand how hard it is when you’re struggling to make ends meet – to put food on the table or pay for prescription drugs. The last thing we should be asking hard-working Ohioans to shell out for is GOP corruption that puts working families further and further behind,” said Ohio Auditor candidate Taylor Sappington.

Ohio Democrats are offering a better way forward.

“Every Republican on the Redistricting Commission – from Mike DeWine, President Huffman, Speaker Cupp, on down – broke the law and rubber-stamped gerrymandered maps, and because of their actions, Ohioans will likely pay as much as $25 million to conduct two primaries,” said Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken.

Ohioans are paying BILLIONS of dollars for GOP corruption at Mike DeWine’s statehouse, including:

• $287,000 every single day for subsidies that bail out an out-of-state coal plant and are tied to the largest public corruption scandal in state history. The subsidies are estimated to cost Ohioans up to $1.8 billion by 2030.
• $9 billion for special interest tax giveaways that mostly benefit for-profit corporations.
• $1.85 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, including wealthy GOP lawmakers who leave working Ohioans behind.
• $118 million in improper Medicaid payments made to ineligible dead or incarcerated individuals.
• $20 million promised in tax credits to Lordstown Motors, a company currently under investigation by the DOJ and SEC and that employs DeWine’s grandson as its lobbyist.
• $17.5 million settlement for a man who was paralyzed after being tackled by state prison guards.
• $9 million for the election chaos created by Republicans who refuse to pass fair maps. Their refusal to do their jobs will likely make a May 3 primary impossible, likely costing Ohioans another $20 million.
• $763,000 and counting to litigate the GOP-gerrymandered maps in court.
• $39,000 for Mike DeWine’s private airplane travel to taxpayer-funded photo ops in 2019.

At a time when Ohio families are worried about their ability to make ends meet, the last thing they should be spending their hard-earned money on is the corruption running rampant at Mike DeWine’s statehouse. Ohio Democrats are ready to offer a better way forward.

###

Columbus, OH — Following Judge Jackson’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, despite baseless attacks from the Republicans who hope to oversee judicial confirmations as members of the U.S. Senate, Ohio Black women leaders released the following statements in response:  

“With the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, our country is one step closer to a Supreme Court that understands the struggles of working families and prioritizes civil rights. Today’s historic vote gives hope to millions of young Black girls, who for the first time see someone who looks like themselves on the highest court in the country, that they can achieve their dreams. Judge Jackson is a supremely qualified jurist with the right disposition for the job – and it’s embarrassing that Ohio Republicans running for U.S. Senate have parroted lies about her to cover for their anti-worker agenda that harms Ohio families.” -Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Juanita Brent, Cleveland 

“Congratulations to Judge Jackson for her historic confirmation to the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson is uniquely prepared to serve on the highest court in our country, which is why her appointment has earned bipartisan support, uniting civil rights groups, law enforcement, labor unions and business groups. While Judge Jackson has repeatedly shown she has the right temperament and judgment to serve on the United States Supreme Court, the GOP Senate candidates have pushed baseless personal attacks and lies about her character – proving they do not have the temperament or judgment to serve the working people of our state.” -State Representative Tavia Galonski, Akron  

“Today, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as she was confirmed to serve as the first African American woman on the United States Supreme Court. Judge Jackson is exactly the right nominee for this moment who will protect civil rights, workers’ rights and more. It is shameful but unsurprising that the Ohio Republicans who have focused their campaigns on petty feuds and posturing have stooped so low to attack the character of a qualified, fair-minded jurist.” –State Representative Paula Hicks-Hudson, Toledo  

“Representation is important – and history will remember today’s historic vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. Judge Jackson is an extraordinarily qualified nominee and an accomplished jurist. It is unfortunate that some running for office in Ohio would rather echo the baseless attacks and conspiracy theories spewed by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee than treat her with the respect she deserves as a highly-qualified nominee.” -Dr. Geraldine Hayes Nelson, Former President of the Portage County NAACP

BACKGROUND: 

• Jane Timken claimed that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson defended child pornography. [Bannon’s War Room, 3/25/22] 
• Josh Mandel claimed that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is “weak on child pornographers.” [Bill Cunningham Show, 3/28/22] 
• Mike Gibbons claimed Jackson is a nominee who “admits being soft on pedophiles.” [Twitter, 3/28/22]

###