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Joe
Uecker
State
Representative
12/04/06
Last Few Days of
Session for this Year
In these last few weeks left in this
General Assembly, we have a number of priority issues to
deal with. With only seven more days of session scheduled,
only a handful of bills will be able to get through the
process of being signed into law. With more demand than
supply, those bills that look as though they have a chance
of getting passed are starting to have parts of other
bills loaded into them. Three are bills that I had
previously introduced.
The very first bill that I
introduced, HB 251, is a comprehensive energy efficiency
bill. This bill would dictate a state energy saving
policy for years to come. This bill is considered a high
priority by both the House and the Senate so it probably
will not get loaded up (I hope). However, two other bills
I have are starting to look like a “Christmas Tree” with
lights and presents underneath.
House Bill 443 started out as a
fairly simple yet large bill that corrects language in
several sections of Ohio law that deal with how the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) operates. These
were all non-controversial changes that the Director and
staff at ODNR requested me to sponsor. With just a few
days to go before it goes to the House floor for a vote,
at least two other bills are being tacked on… without my
consideration. One bill that acted to limit township
zoning was so controversial that after I threatened to
scuttle the entire bill, at least the controversial part
was removed. Don’t think I’m not keeping a keen eye on
this so that it does not get re-entered at the last
minute.
Another bill that I have up for
consideration is HB 425 that helps a land owner to be able
to remove a mobile home if left abandoned by a previous
owner. I have been approached by other legislators who
want to attach other bills to my bill since mine looks
like it has a chance of getting passed in these last few
days of session. Several don’t even have anything to do
with landowners or mobile homes. Suffice it to say I think
if any bill wants to get attached to another, it should at
least have the same or similar topic. Actually, that is an
Ohio Constitutional requirement… one that is rarely
followed.
Lastly, many of you have asked what I
think is in store for next year. Although there will be a
Republican House and Senate, many are wondering how
effective it will be working with a Democratic Governor.
I recently had a chance to meet with and listen to
Governor-elect Strickland. I was very impressed with his
sincerity to work with the legislature for the sake of a
prosperous Ohio. I think it should also be noted that Mr.
Strickland’s record shows he is a fairly moderate
democrat. While I am more concerned with who will become
his cabinet appointments, I think Mr. Strickland and the
next General Assembly can effectively work together. It is
interesting that several groups who have analyzed the
results of this years elections point out that many
republicans and independents who voted for a democrat this
year did so because they felt the incumbent was not
representing their conservative interests. With
conservatives getting the majority of votes in all offices
from Clermont County voters, I suspect we will be courted
here for many years to come.
I am hopeful that Ohio will remain a
conservative state with solid family as well as fiscal
values. I know that this will be my priority as directed
by the residents of Ohio’s 66th House District.
As always, if you have any questions,
concerns, or comments about any item in this article,
please give me a call or drop me a line.
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.
Columbus Phone:
614-466-8134
Email:
Joe@JoeUecker.com
Website:
http://JoeUecker.com |
