Joe Uecker

State Representative

11/02/05

After the election look at issues 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5  

Once again democracy and common sense prevail.  Despite all the money that the out of towners like billionaire George Soro’s put into the fight, they could not trick the voters of Ohio into believing that Issues 2,3,4, and 5 were even remotely good for Ohio.  With overwhelming percentages of victory of 70% to 80% in Clermont County alone it was clear that the big shots from out of state who wanted to change Ohio for their own self interests should just remain home.  I like to think that first and foremost, our county citizens appreciate the manner in which our bipartisan board of elections operates. The current system works well to help keep election fraud from occurring in Clermont County. 

I can not help but comment on the Clermont County turnout in opposition to State Issue One. I was pleased that it did in fact win statewide but I was very surprised that it was defeated in Clermont County.  This is the renewal of the Ohio Public Works Commission Program that has brought millions of grant dollars to Clermont County over the past 20 years. Many a bridge and road has been built with this program as well as upgrades to the many water treatment facilities we have scattered throughout the county.  In talking afterwards to a couple of friends about this ballot issue, I believe in addition to the poor job that was done to promote the ballot issue, there were two main groups who objected.  There were those who are concerned that this would raise the state’s borrowing limit. Since this is replacing a ballot issue that is set to expire, it will only increase the state’s borrowing power to the extent that will overlap in the phasing out of the old and bringing on line the new bonding issue.

Another noteworthy objection to State Issue One was raised by those who feat that the high tech investment side of the issue (Third Frontier) will needlessly endanger embryo’s as a result of embryonic stem cell research.  It is the Ohio Legislature’s intent to fast track legislation that will in fact prohibit spending tax dollars to fund any research that would destroy a fertilized embryo. This message apparently did not get out to the extent we had hoped here in Clermont County.  I want to assure those folks that the legislature is in fact moving quickly to this end.

The State Legislature starts back up this week and we have quite a number of bills that have a high priority that need attention.  It appears we will have a busy schedule for the rest of the year.

Joe Uecker

State Representative

Ohio’s 66 District

Representing Batavia, Goshen, Miami and Union Townships as well as the Cities of Loveland and Milford and the Villages of Batavia and Amelia.(614) 466-8134

District Office (513)-248-2565

Website: www.JoeUecker.com

Email: Joe@JoeUecker.com