September 28 2024

The Becker Report – September 2024

Beckerisms

Ohio’s Issue 1 – Vote NO

Repeals Ohio’s anti-gerrymandering law

The following are the first two paragraphs of the ballot language:

Repeal constitutional protections against gerrymandering approved by nearly three-quarters of Ohio electors participating in the statewide elections of 2015 and 2018, and eliminate the longstanding ability of Ohio citizens to hold their representatives accountable for establishing fair state legislative and congressional districts.
Ohio’s Issue 1 paragraph #1

Establish a new taxpayer-funded commission of appointees required to gerrymander the boundaries of state legislative and congressional districts to favor either of the two largest political parties in the state of Ohio, according to a formula based on partisan outcomes as the dominant factor, so that:
A. Each district shall contain single-member districts that are geographically contiguous, but state legislative and congressional districts will no longer be required to be compact; and
B. Counties, townships and cities throughout Ohio can be split and divided across multiple districts, and preserving communities of interest will be secondary to the formula that is based on partisan political outcomes.
Ohio’s Issue 1 paragraph #2

From the Ohio Republican Party:

Issue 1 is being pushed by politicians who want a system that favors their political class. Ohioans are coming together to fight this blatant abuse of power…
⬇️ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰
𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝟏 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
It’s a lie to say Issue 1 ends gerrymandering — it will actually enshrine gerrymandering in the Ohio Constitution.
Issue 1 is being pushed by politicians who want a system that will require bureaucrats and their paid consultants to draw new legislative districts that favor one political party over the other.
𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
Issue 1 eliminates anti-gerrymandering restrictions Ohio voters passed (by over 70%) in both 2015 & 2018.
Issue 1 will end the requirement for districts to be compact, meaning there will be districts that stretch over long distances through multiple counties and local communities will be sliced and diced.
A plan just like Issue 1 was tried in Michigan, where three federal judges unanimously ruled that the bureaucrat’s maps resulted in racial gerrymandering.
𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝟏 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
The map-drawing bureaucrats and their paid consultants will not be accountable to voters. It will be virtually impossible to remove them from office — even if they abuse their power.
Issue 1 eliminates the 222-year old authority of people chosen by Ohio voters to develop legislative district maps.
Under Issue 1, the bureaucrats who draw maps will be selected by retired political candidates who would be legally permitted to hand pick their friends and political allies.
Issue 1 severely restricts Ohio citizens from going to “any court” to stop the bureaucrats who draw the maps from violating their rights.
𝐈𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝟏 𝐈𝐬 𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐡𝐢𝐨 𝐕𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
Issue 1 will cost millions of taxpayers’ money and will also force the state to pay unlimited legal expenses for the map-drawing bureaucrats and their paid consultants.
Issue 1 is almost entirely funded — with more than $25 million in mostly secret contributions — by out-of-state special interest groups. It will be their back door solution to gain power over Ohioans.
Ohio Republican Party

Republican Slate

Regarding our Republican slate of candidates, many are expected to be close races. Those include Moreno for US Senate; Deters, Hawkins, and Shanahan for Ohio Supreme Court; and Hava Laudon for State Board of Education. And of course, vote for Trump for President.

“Comrade” Kamala and “Tampon” Tim

Let’s do some fact checking

‘My Grammar’s Not Always Correct’: Fact-Checking Harris and Walz’s CNN Interview
Fact-Checking Kamala Harris’ CNN Interview
Tim Walz’s Lies: The Top 7
5 Massive Lies at the Democratic National Convention
The 10 Kamala Harris Lies Moderators Let Slide at the 9/10/2024 ABC News Debate
Fact-Checking Claims Made in Trump-Harris Debate
FACT CHECK: Kamala Harris Campaign Platform Makes Promises Based on False Assumptions

Ever wonder what Is on Jesus’s Policy Agenda?

Rush Limbaugh used to call them “low information voters.” Of course that’s the only way Democrats win.
Johnson on Harris’s Campaign Strategy: ‘They’re Counting on the American People to Be Unintelligent’

From Erick Erickson (9/6/2024)

Kamala’s Shifting Beliefs
We all know that Kamala Harris has an evolving set of beliefs since her coronation as the Democrat’s nominee last month. However, Axios has the details on just how much she’s changed.
“Nine areas in which she’s shifted views or her current position is unknown:

Banning plastic straws for environmental concerns. (She’s no longer for it, as Axios reported Thursday.)

A mandate for automakers to only make electric and hydrogen vehicles by 2035. (The Harris campaign won’t say whether she’s still for it.)

Banning fracking because of concerns over global warming and potential water contamination. (No longer favors a ban.)

A mandatory buyback program for assault weapons as part of her gun safety agenda. (She’s dropped this idea.)

Decriminalizing crossing the border from a criminal offense to a civil one. (No longer supports.)

Reparations for slavery, which many progressives argued for during the 2020 primary. (Position unclear.)

Building a wall on the Southwest border, a defining Trump promise that many Democrats have fought. (Accepted it as part of the bipartisan border package that Republicans killed.)

A federal jobs guarantee that was part of her Green New Deal proposal. (No longer for it.)

Medicare for All, which Harris embraced in her first year as senator. (She’s backed off this.)”

Erick Erickson (9/6/2024)

I want to vote for a candidate for president who looks like me.

Sarcasm alert – tongue in cheek

I’m a low information voter who just wants to vote for a presidential candidate who looks like me. Unfortunately, none of the candidates are old, fat, bald, and ugly. Never mind, I won’t bother to vote.

Union Township Update

Guest Editorial

Clermont Sun – September 18, 2024

The Cincinnati Business Courier

$180M in road projects will dramatically expand Clermont County’s growth horizon

Upcoming UT Sponsored Events

October 5 – UT Park Clean Up beginning at 9 AM at Veteran’s and Clepper Parks.
October 5 – End of summer Fireworks Celebration beginning at 4:30 PM. (Fireworks at 8:30 PM.)
October 6 – Fire prevention week open house at the water tower firehouse beginning at 11 AM.
October 8 – Union Township Trustees meeting at the Civic Center at 6 PM.
October 19 – UT Sip & Shop at the Civic Center beginning at noon.
October 24 through 26 – Fall Junk Days at the Services Department.
October 31 – Halloween from 6 – 8 PM.

Need a job?

Police and Fire/EMS, jobs are available. Send resume to Cory Wright CWright@UTClermont.gov
More information is here: UTClermont.gov/Jobs.aspx

What can you find at the Union Township Civic Center?

US Post Office
US Congressman Brad Wenstrup’s office
Union Township Zoning office
Meeting rooms available for UT residents to reserve
Gymnasium available for UT residents to reserve
Amphitheater for concerts, plays, and available for UT residents to reserve
Farmers Market (seasonal)
West Clermont School’s administrative office
Senior Services office
Friendly people who serve the public with a smile

Call 513-752-1741 or visit UTClermont.gov for more information

Union Township welcomes new and growing businesses

Some of the below may be pending trustee approval:

Cranium Cookie scheduled their grand opening for October 1 at 11 AM inside the Eastgate Mall (near the food court). Cranium cookies are “brain food.”
A new development is approved for the area north of the Echelon apartments on Glen Este – Withamsville Road. Although not finalized, the new businesses appear to include The Works Pizza, Bad Tom Smith Brewing, By Golly’s Bar & Grill, and more. Well, I guess that is “the works.”
Starbucks is “brewing” plans to potentially raze the old Taco Bell “Tom Yum” on Ohio Pike near Bach Buxton. Their plans are under review.
New construction has begun at the site of the new Wyler Super Store location. They have “shifted into high gear” and are building a used car superstore.
Progress continues at the materials reclamation center off Winding Creek Boulevard, near the Township line. We hope that the construction activities will conclude this year.
Panda Express has razed the car wash next to the Union Township library and will build a new location there. It’s an “appetizing” venture. The overpass construction is delaying their start date. This project is beginning to look like a 2025 completion.
Mercy Health urgent care center is under construction in the Jungle Jim’s parking lot in front of LaRosa’s. They’ll soon be repairing “broken” bones, skin, and more. We are waiting for the tenant to complete interior buildout on this, and are waiting for an updated timeline.
Children’s Hospital is under construction in the Ivy Pointe area near TQL. Our concerns have been “healed.”
Wawa will be taking over the old Mt. Carmel Kroger location. Rah-rah to Wawa for taking over a shuttered business. Demolition has begun and construction is expected to be complete early next year.
Alfaa purchased and submitted plans to build on an empty lot on the corner of Aicholtz Road and Eastgate Blvd. I’m wondering if they sell alfalfa sprouts?
A small strip mall is coming to the corner of SR 32 and Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road on Yates Lane. I expect them to be rolling in dough soon. A zoning permit has been issued. No start date has been announced.
The old Valero on the corner of Ohio Pike and Bennett Road is under new ownership. They will be tearing down the old building and constructing a new convenience and wine store. The previous condition of the property was certainly something to whine about.
The Home2 Suites is expected to open very soon. They have made certain “accommodations” and residents can “sleep well” knowing that.
Honda East will be “shifting gears” to “rev up” sales by expanding their operations in Cherry Grove. They might “tire,” “brake,” and “shock” you, but they are “on a roll.” Wouldn’t it be nice if they offered free samples? Construction has been delayed while they finalize their plans.
TQL will be adding an additional 1,000 jobs at its sprawling UT campus. The new southern wing will look similar to their recently added northern wing. The project is “trucking” along. “Total Quality” will be a “Logistic” requirement.
Kroger has “crushing” plans to demolish Sears and build a new 123,722 square foot Kroger Marketplace store detached from the mall. The store will include a Starbucks, drive through pharmacy, expanded deli, expanded bakery, a Murray Cheese section, sushi, expanded adult beverage section, apparel, home goods, expanded grocery section, and a Kroger fuel center with 18 fuel pumps. The fuel will be on the recently shuttered Wendy’s side of the parking lot. The northeast side of the store will have a parking area for on-line pickup. The current Kroger store on Eastgate Boulevard will likely close in coordination with opening the new Kroger Marketplace store. All plans are currently on hold pending litigation with the owner of the Eastgate Mall.

2024 Union Township Trustees Meeting Video

September 26, 2024 UT Community Improvement Corporation (7 minutes)
September 10, 2024 Business meeting (1h 38m) Executive session (1h 23m)
August 20, 2024 UT Community Improvement Corporation (7 minutes)
August 20, 2024 Business meeting (1h 35m)
July 9, 2024 Business meeting (1h 18m)
June 11, 2024 Business meeting (2h 28m) Executive session (1h 50m)
May 7, 2024 Business meeting (3h 1m)
April 23, 2024 Work session: Discussed DORAs and Vietnam a Traveling Wall Event (52m)
April 9, 2024 Business meeting (1h 29m) Executive session (46m)
March 12, 2024 Business meeting (3h 39m) Executive session (41m) This was the Terrace Ridge case.
February 27, 2024 Business meeting (2h 17m) Executive session (1h 24m)
February 23, 2024 Special meeting (2m) Executive session to interview Fire Chief candidates (4h 8m)
February 5, 2024 Special meeting (1m)
January 9, 2024 Business meeting (2h 16m)
January 2, 2024 Reorganization meeting (53m)

Event Calendar

Disclaimer: All events, locations, and times are subject to change.
October 1
Cranium Cookie open house at the Eastgate Mall (near the food court) beginning at 11 AM.

October 1
VP Debate at 9 PM on CBS.

October 5
UT Park Clean Up beginning at 9 AM at Veteran’s and Clepper Parks.

October 5
End of summer Fireworks Celebration beginning at 4:30 PM. (Fireworks at 8:30 PM.)

October 6
Fire prevention week open house at the water tower firehouse beginning at 11 AM.

October 6
Trump Honk & Wave at the corner of SR 125 and GEW Road from 12:30 – 2 PM.

October 7
UT GOP meeting at the Civic Center at 7 PM.

October 7
Voter registration deadline.

October 8
Early voting begins.

October 8
Union Township Trustees meeting at the Civic Center at 6 PM.

October 16
Clermont County GOP meeting at HQ in Batavia at 7 PM.

October 17
Clermont County Township Assn meeting at the Sheriff’s Office at 6 PM.

October 19
UT Sip & Shop at the Civic Center beginning at noon.

October 24 through 26
Fall Junk Days at the Services Department.

October 27
Trump Honk & Wave at the corner of SR 125 and GEW Road from 12:30 – 2 PM.

October 29
Absentee ballot applications due.

October 31
Halloween from 6 – 8 PM.

Video Central

PragerU: Trans Kids: The Medical Scandal (5 minutes)
John Stossel: Kamala Harris’s Track Record: Big Spending, Wokeness, Equity and Flip Flops (7 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! NEW HOAX JUST DROPPED!! (20 minutes)
PragerU: Work to Live or Live to Work? (5 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! MSNBC vs. REALITY!! (11 minutes)
PragerU: From London to Mississippi: Why I Love America (5 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! CNN “FACT CHECKER” Says Kamala Harris Only Lied ONCE!! (22 minutes)
PragerU: Is Maoism Coming to America? (5 minutes)
Don’t Walk, RUN! Oprah’s Kamala Harris CRINGEFEST!! (14 minutes)
Tom Z

Full length movies
2,000 Mules 1h 26m
Let My People Go (2h 17m)

BeckerGOP YouTube Channel Archives

Presentations and discussions at the Union Township Trustee meetings

Concealed Carry Part 1 – January 11, 2022 (9 minutes)
Concealed Carry Part 2 – February 8, 2022 (12 minutes)
Union Township Debt Presentation – March 8, 2022 (10 minutes) Slides
Union Township Property Tax Distributions – April 12, 2022 (7 minutes) Slides
Union Township 2021 Financials – May 10, 2022 (14 minutes) Slides
Union Township 2021 Expenses Deep Dive – June 14, 2022 (14 minutes) Slides
Union Township First Half 2022 Financials – July 12, 2022 (13 minutes) Slides
Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) – July 12, 2022 (10 minutes)
UT Concert Series – August 9, 2022 (5 minutes)
Natural Gas Aggregation Discussion – September 13, 2022 (9 minutes)
Cost of 2022 Concert Series and Fireworks – September 13, 2022 (14 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Board of Trustees Discussion (38 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Public and Board of Trustees Discussion (100 minutes)
Medical Marijuana Six Month Moratorium (12 minutes)
Board Discussion: Meeting Rules (36 minutes)

The Becker Report Videos

Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!

“…John Becker, an ‘archconservative’ former state lawmaker from the Cincinnati area…” as described by Cleveland.com (February 2021).
“[State Rep. John Becker,] one of Ohio’s most conservative lawmakers…” proclaimed Cleveland.com (October 2020).
“Clermont County State Rep. John Becker, one of the most conservative members of the Ohio House…” according to Cleveland.com (August 2019).
Becker wins “Sponsor of Liberty” award by the Republican Liberty Caucus of Ohio (October 2018).
“Becker has a legitimate claim as the state’s most conservative legislator,” according to The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer (September 2017).
“Rep. John Becker, suburban Cincinnati Republican… [holds] the unofficial title as the General Assembly’s most conservative lawmaker,” proclaimed the Columbus Dispatch (September 2015).
Becker wins prestigious William Wilberforce Leadership Award (April 2015).
“GOP Ohio House freshman Becker is no shrinking violet,” headlined the Columbus Dispatch (December 2014).
“Becker…is arguably the most conservative member of the Ohio House,” said The Cincinnati Enquirer (January 2014).
Ranked as a top tier “most archconservative” by the Columbus Dispatch (September 2013).

If you prefer to donate online, please click this link or one of my donate buttons at www.BeckerGOP.com.

Introduction (38 seconds)	Second Amendment (36 seconds)
Taxes (49 seconds)	Energy (55 seconds)
Pro-Life (42 seconds)	Creation Science and Evolution (42 sec.)
State Government Spending (45 sec.)	State Government (37 seconds)

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Disclaimer
Nothing in this newsletter constitutes legal advice. I am not an attorney and do not play one on TV. This newsletter is not sanctioned by the GOP, ORP, or any organization, or affiliation. Much of it is simply my opinion. I am fully and solely responsible for my opinion. Although I strive for accuracy, this is not “The Gospel according to John.” Additionally, I don’t necessarily try to be “fair and balanced.” After all, I didn’t get into politics to be a news reporter. My agenda is to influence public policy consistent with Southern Ohio conservative values. For more information on my motivations or how to get involved, see: What is a Central Committee?

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