Dear Neighbors, 

Words failed me in the immediate aftermath of the Tuesday morning announcement that the Republican Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives had been arrested amid an ongoing FBI investigation into the largest bribery and money-laundering scheme in Ohio History.  But the horror I felt, and continue to feel, is real.  I feel disgusted and angry at the betrayal of the duty to serve the people of Ohio that I hold as sacrosanct.

I want you all to know that even though a dark pall has been cast over the Ohio House, and we do not yet know the full extent of the deals that were made, I will continue to work steadfastly and honestly for you, your family, and our district.  I have lived in Ohio and in my corner of Franklin County a long time, and love it here.  I took my oath of office to serve the people of the state to the best of my ability with great resolve and determination, and have tried to do that every day since. 

I finally had time yesterday to read the serious allegations from Tuesday's federal indictment, and joined others in demanding that Speaker Householder resign immediately. I have no respect for the man, nor interest in continuing to serve under his leadership. His decision to manipulate vast sums of money to gather power to himself and enrich himself and his friends makes me both angry and astonished.  How did we all fail to connect the dots or uncover the source of the money that apparently was used to influence elections and push through a vote on a highly suspect house bill that favors one company at the expense of clean alternative energy sources and efficiency standards that we need to protect human life on Earth?

Yesterday I also joined bipartisan efforts to repeal House Bill 6, the legislation at the center of these allegations, and I have co-sponsored legislation to seriously reform Ohio's campaign finance laws. Corruption has no place in our government, regardless of political party. What allegedly transpired with House Bill 6 is a prime example of "pay-to-play" and how dark money and corruption can subvert good policy and the best interests of our constituents. Ohio deserves better, and repealing this bill is a start to rebuilding your trust -- the people who elected us to serve. 

To continue to turn the tide, the very best advice I can offer is for residents to use your constitutional right to vote.  Register to vote if you are not already or check your registration to be sure it is valid.  (https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/Voters/My-Registration). Please encourage 5 friends or relatives to do the same. Invite your 5 friends to attend a Zoom Town Hall meeting to learn more and to meet some of the candidates. If you would prefer to vote absentee, send in an absentee ballot application now, as there is no need to wait for the Secretary of State to send one to you. (Go to https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/Absentee-Ballot-Request.  A computer and printer will be required, but paper applications are available at the Franklin County Board of Elections on Morse Road.) Research the candidates for office and the ballot issues through the League of Voters or the Dispatch, and then please VOTE! If you like your incumbent representatives, vote to keep them in office.  If you do not, then vote for the alternative.  Consider running for office yourself if you do not like either choice.  Being engaged and informed gives you power, and I welcome your involvement!

I take very seriously my constitutional oath to you, your family, and our neighbors to faithfully and impartially perform my duties as State Representative with the highest integrity. I believe we have a responsibility to work together on the issues that matter most to everyday Ohioans and to enact commonsense solutions that restore Ohio’s promise of better lives, better jobs, and brighter futures for all of us. Under new leadership at the Statehouse, I believe we have the power to make that change. In this spirit, I will continue to honor the trust you have put in me by working hard every day for positive change that expands opportunities for working people and families right here in Ohio. 

I invite you to join me at either of my next two Open Office Hours, which I have scheduled for Saturday, July 25th from 1 – 3 pm, and again next week on July 28 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm.  My next Town Hall is on August 5, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm with Representatives Crawley and Liston. Please contact my office at [email protected] for the Zoom information for any or all of these events.  Join us at the Town Hall to listen and ask questions to learn what the three of us, all elected for the first time in 2018, have done in our first terms and what plans we have for the next one. 

As always, if there is anything I can do to help you, I hope you will contact me at [email protected] or 614-466-4847.

Thank you again for the enormous trust you have placed in me to represent you and the people of Ohio’s 19th House District.