On The Record Archive

Being pro-life means protecting life at all stages. More than ever, it is crucial for pro-life states and the pro-life community to support women who find themselves with unwanted pregnancies with more than words, but also with constructive actions. The Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court means an untold number of children will now get the opportunity to live full lives. But, it is important to remember the decision did not outlaw abortion. Rather, the court returned the issue to the states where it belongs. It is abundantly clear that our 50 laboratories of democracy will have very diverse policies addressing this issue. In Ohio, I was the primary sponsor of the Heartbeat Bill, which passed in 2019 but only recently went into effect following the Dobbs decision. The bill prohibits abortions in our state upon the detection of a fetal heartbeat, with notable exceptions for a woman whose life is threatened by pregnancy or whose health is seriously endangered.

They were for it before they were against it.

The rabid opposition to State Issue 1 is the height of hypocrisy by Democrats and the Dispatch.

State Issue 1 would require the consent of 60% of voters to change the Ohio Constitution. It is a much lower threshold than the one enshrined in the U.S. Constitution but it is designed to build upon the American tradition that protects the rights of all, not just the frenzied mob, special interests, and the wealthy. 

Expanding natural gas production in Ohio is critical, now more than ever. Natural gas increases environmental quality, provides a reliable energy source, increases tax revenue and creates well-paying jobs. Increased natural gas production is key to strengthening our food and energy supply chains, as well as alleviating the severe strain on the Midwest, the country, and the world in this time of economic hardship.

Natural gas is abundant, efficient, and exceptionally clean. How clean? Goldman Sachs reported in April that if the U.S. quadrupled its liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity it would have the same effect on reducing carbon emissions as: Electrifying every U.S. passenger vehicle; Powering every home in America with rooftop solar and backup battery packs; Adding 54,000 industrial scale windmills, doubling U.S. wind capacity.

In her June 11 op-ed, Christine Emba claimed, Ohio Republicans' proposal to arm teachers is an act of cowardice, but she twisted the facts. Ms. Emba claimed legislators would force a teacher to pick up a gun. No one is forcing teachers to carry guns. House Bill 99, now law, allows trained school personnel or peace officers to carry a weapon at school. Local school boards may now protect children the same way we protect politicians, celebrities, banks, and, we suspect, newspapers. Ms. Emba apparently doesn't think children are worth protecting with guns. She prefers more gun regulation.

The purpose of Senate Bill 83 is quite simple: It is to help provide the very best education possible for all students in Ohio’s institutions of higher learning. These students deserve the best preparation available for rewarding careers in exchange for their tuition dollars. It is truly all about the students.

I have worked hard to lower costs and expand opportunities for Ohio’s college and university students by sponsoring Senate Bill 135, which became law one year ago. But, I have found there is still a major impediment to ensuring a quality education on too many of our campuses. Our First Amendment is under assault in academia.

The purpose of Senate Bill 83 is quite simple: It ensures free expression on campus and in the classroom at Ohio's public universities and colleges.

Those who say it promotes censorship have it exactly backwards. The Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act will allow students to exercise their right to free speech without threat of reprisal by professors or administrators.

I expected heated debate to follow my introduction of Senate Bill 83. What I did not expect was the hysteria and hyperbolic screams of anguish in the Columbus Dispatch and other publications. Least of all did I expect the avalanche of misinformation and outright falsehoods about the bill.

The stakes couldn't be higher.

Democrats will use a no vote on Issue 1 to take away your right to self-defense. They will take away your guns.

This is not a guess. It is not an accusation. It is a fact. How do we know? Because they said so. They said the quiet part out loud.

Be prepared. It's not just the Boy Scouts' motto. It's the key to a bright future for Ohio. When Intel came calling, Ohio was prepared. Our state had begun laying the groundwork long before the deal was made. That was the key to landing the biggest private investment in state history. A megaproject that could well turn our state into the home of the Silicon Heartland. How did Ohio beat 39 other states to land the historic project? The road to success really began in 2011 with the creation of JobsOhio, a bold new idea of Gov. John Kasich's. This private non-profit agency was designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in our state.