The Clermont Connection

By: Andrew McAfee
22 March 2021
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A weekly update of headlines, stories, events, and happenings impacting Clermont County businesses.

Editors Note: Welcome to The Clermont Connection, a weekly newsletter to update our members on all things government-affairs from the US Capitol in D.C. to our local townships and villages. I hope to produce this newsletter on a weekly basis and include the stories I’m following for the week, as well as updates from our elected officials.

I welcome feedback on how I can improve this newsletter, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any comments or suggestions!

Andrew McAfee, Director of Government Affairs
Clermont Chamber of Commerce
Email or 513-576-5007

What I am reading this week

AstraZeneca vaccine is 79% effective against symptomatic Covid-19, company says

CDC drops student social distancing recommendation to 3-foot minimum from 6-foot minimum

Greater Cincinnati governments are getting $900M in COVID aid. But some don’t want it.

Will Mike Turner run for U.S. Senate in 2022?

Close GOP Win in Iowa Gets Second Look From House Democrats

Governor DeWine reflects on pandemic year

Federal Headlines

U.S. House of Representatives: meets at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The House Oversight and Reform Committee examines D.C. statehood legislation during an 11 a.m. hearing. The House Energy and Commerce Committee holds a hearing at 11 a.m. about infrastructure policy and will hear from former Secretary Moniz.

U.S. Senate: will meet at 3 p.m. to swear in KAREN GIBSON as the new sergeant-at-arms. It will vote on MARTY WALSH’S nomination to be Labor secretary at 5:30 p.m.

Eric Swalwell ‘compromised’ by Chinese spy, doesn’t belong on House Intel Committee: Wenstrup

Portman faults Biden’s border policies for fueling surge of unaccompanied migrant children

Sen. Sherrod Brown: Putting money in Ohioans’ pockets

Ohio Reps. Steve Stivers and Warren Davidson back marijuana banking bill

President Biden visiting Columbus on Tuesday to highlight health care costs

State Headlines

Ohio House of Representatives: Session scheduled for Wednesday and Friday

(Committee hearings scheduled all week)

Ohio Senate: Session scheduled for Wednesday

(Committee hearings scheduled all week)

Former Franklin County judge named as head of state utilities commission

Ohio to authorize health departments to give extra coronavirus vaccine doses to all Ohioans 16 and up

Gov. DeWine will veto a bill giving legislature power over health orders. Here’s his explanation

Guns, school funding, gay rights: The topics lawmakers keep debating year after year

FirstEnergy refusing to return subsidy cash to customers

Clermont Delegation

Representative Jean Schmidt (OH-65):

HB 178 – Swimming Pools
- To limit the water pressure of water features at swimming pools and to name this act Makenna’s Law
- Introduced 3/4/2021

HB 183 – Death Penalty
- To abolish the death penalty and to modify the number of jurors that may be challenged in cases where a defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Introduced 3/4/2021

Recent News: Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp appointed Rep. Schmidt to the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee, which inspects each state prison, evaluates and assists on programs to improve their conditions and operations, among other work.

Representative Adam Bird (OH-66):

HB 67 – Testing Requirements
- Signed by Governor
- Ohio Senate passes bill offering flexibility on graduation requirements, standardized testing, adding back emergency clause
HB 115 – School Property
- To eliminate the right of first refusal for certain schools in the acquisition of school district real property.
- Referred to Primary and Secondary Education Committee
HB 170 – School Support
- To provide assistance to schools and other entities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to make an appropriation.
- Referred to Primary and Secondary Education Committee
  - Reported – 3/16/21
HB 220 – License Plate
- To create the “University of Alabama” license plate
- Introduced 3/17/2021

Senator Terry Johnson:

SB 22 – Health Orders
- To establish legislative oversight of the Governor’s executive orders and certain public health orders, including by establishing the Ohio Health Oversight and Advisory Committee.
- Passed Senate and House – Governor has announced his intent to veto

SB 113 – Fireworks
- To revise the fireworks law.
- Referred to Veterans and Public Safety Committee
  - Committee Hearing: 3/23/2021

Chamber News