The Becker Report – April 2025

Beckerisms

Ron Hood

RIP

On April 19, former State Representative Ron Hood unexpectedly passed away. He and I served in the Ohio General Assembly together and collaborated on multiple pieces of legislation..
Ron was a friend and a mentor. He will be forever remembered as one of Ohio’s greatest and most conservative legislators.
Ron was only 55 years old. He left behind five children. Four are under 18. Their mother died of cancer a few years ago.
Most important of all, Ron was a committed Christian. RIP, Ron Hood.

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Update

Click here to follow DOGE’s latest work.
Click here to see the live tracker and see the current amount saved. The last time I checked the “official” amount of tax dollars saved is $160 billion. The savings is rapidly increasing.
Watch Full Video: Elon Musk And DOGE Team Interview With FNC’s Bret Baier (31 minutes)

Who is Kilmar Garcia?

Citizen of El Salvador and deported illegal alien

The following is an excerpt from Gary Bauer’s End of Day Report (4/24/2025)

The “Maryland Man”
There is more news on the “Maryland man,” aka Kilmar Garcia, who is now the Left’s patron saint of open borders.
When Tennessee Highway Patrol officers stopped him and found eight people in the van he was driving, the officers knew something was up. They suspected human trafficking, but Biden’s FBI told the officers to release them, which they did.
We just learned that the van Garcia was driving was owned by a convicted human trafficker, an illegal alien sentenced to prison in 2020.
So, just to recap:
• Garcia had restraining orders against him for beating his wife.
• Two courts determined he was a member of MS-13.
• He was stopped while trafficking human beings in a van owned by a convicted human smuggler.
How could anyone possibly be against this “Maryland man”? (Yes, I’m being sarcastic.)
He’s like the “California man” who murdered 13-year-old Omar Hernandez. Or the “Georgia man” who murdered Laken Riley. Or the other “Maryland man” who was just arrested for murdering his girlfriend. Of course, they are all illegal aliens.
But in a ludicrous attempt to disguise that fact, Democrats and their media allies are referring to them as if they were constituents and state residents. Democrats probably assume that they’re voters, too. They’re certainly treating them that way!
I’m not exaggerating. In 318 reports in recent weeks, CNN and MSNBC referred to Garcia as a “Maryland man” more than 500 times, while referring to his illegal status only 32 times.
The point of this propaganda is to scare you into thinking that you or any other citizen could be the next person to be detained and deported. It’s dishonest, and it’s demagoguery!

May 6, 2025 Election Ballot Issues:

State Ballot Issue 2

Due to renumbering, there is no Issue 1.
If approved, Issue 2 authorizes $2.5 billion in additional public debt over 10 years. The purpose is for infrastructure capital improvements.
Argument in Support of Issue 2.
Argument in Opposition to Issue 2.

Proposed Income Tax and Bond Issue for the West Clermont School District.

This is the other ballot issue for your consideration. It has two components:

  1. It imposes a 0.25 percent earnings tax (income tax on earned income) on all residents (without reciprocity) in the West Clermont School District for 30 years. Social Security, pensions, interest, and dividends are not “earned income.”
  2. Furthermore, it imposes a 1.77 mills additional property tax.

The Union Township Republican Party has endorsed a NO vote on this issue.

Union Township Update

Electric Aggregation

For those of you getting notifications from Duke regarding your electric generation provider, the current aggregation rate expires in May. At the time renewal was due, we could not get a price that was better than Duke’s. That’s why you’re going back to Duke.
However, since then, we have penned a new aggregation agreement that is slightly better than Duke’s. Therefore, you’ll get another letter switching you again, unless you opt out. The new rate is 9.19¢ per kWh with Dynegy, starting with the June 2025 bill and continuing through June 2026. The rate is fixed and with no cancellation fee.
Sorry for the confusion.
More information is here: utclermont.gov/170/Energy-Aggregation
If you wish to permanently opt-out of electric aggregation, click here: community.puco.ohio.gov/p/s/electric-do-not-aggregate-form or call (800) 686-PUCO (7826).
If you wish to manage your own provider, click here to get started: EnergyChoice.Ohio.gov

Spending Priorities: Am I wrong?

Watch this video and tell me: youtu.be/yYSukBJ0NE4 (5 minutes)

Need anything?

If you are a resident or stake holder in Union Township, Clermont County and need anything from your local government, call me at 513-753-6440. That’s my home landline. (Do not text.) Feel free to call 24/7 or email me at John@BeckerGOP.com. Video is here: youtu.be/k_f7nrU7zbg (2 minutes)

Need a pothole filled?

Click here to report it: UTclermont.gov/forms.aspx?fid=82

Upcoming UT sponsored events and schedule

May 3, 2025 – Family Movie Night (The Wild Robot) at dusk at Veterans Memorial Park.
May 10, 2025 – Bike Safety Event from 10:00 AM to noon at the Civic Center Campus.
May 13, 2025 – Trustees Meeting at the Civic Center at 6 PM.
May 17, 2025 – Family Fishing Event at Clepper Park.
May 17, 2025 – CPR/AED Training from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Civic Center Queen City Room.

Union Township Farmers Market

Fridays from June 6, 2025 through September 5, 2025, excluding Friday, July 4, 2025 in the Civic Center parking lot from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The Union Township Farmers Market is located on the Civic Center campus and promotes local food and products while continuing to build a healthy community where we work and live. The Township’s Farmers Market supports the local economy, increases marketing opportunities for farmers and small businesses, provides access to an assortment of locally sourced products, and increases access to healthy, affordable fresh food.
Participation in the market is for farmers, ranchers and growers who sell what they grow, raise or produce on their farm, and for local producers who make products featuring agricultural foods from the region. The Township is now accepting vendor applications for all farmers, ranchers, growers and local producers. Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 25, 2025. Union Township does not charge a fee to participate in the Union Township Farmers Market.
Apply here: UTclermont.gov/FormCenter/General-Forms-4/Farmers-Market-Vendor-Application-2025-98

Union Township Concert Series

Union Township is excited to announce that Summer Concerts kick off on Friday, June 6th!
Come enjoy live music on select Fridays throughout June, July and August in Union Township! Union Township Civic Center campus activities will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the Farmers Market. Community members are encouraged to explore vendors at the Farmers Market featuring produce, poultry, beef, baked goods, plants, honey, dog treats, and more.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., food trucks and a beverage stand, serving adult and non-alcoholic beverages, will be available through 9:00 p.m. Adult beverages not bought on site are not permitted.
Live entertainment will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Amphitheater and continue until 9:00 p.m. In addition to the Amphitheater seating, you are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the music.

June 6, 2025 – The Bronson Arroyo Band concert at the Civic Center amphitheater. The Bronson Arroyo Band paying tribute to the likes of Pearl Jam, Oasis, Tom Petty, The Lumineers, Nirvana, The Beatles, David Bowie and more.
June 13, 2025 – HiFi Honey concert at the Civic Center amphitheater. Top 40 Variety Cover Band.
July 18, 2025 – Michelle Robinson Band concert at the Civic Center amphitheater. Ohio Based/Nashville Recording.
July 25, 2025 – Tom the Torpedoes: A Tom Petty Tribute at the Civic Center amphitheater.
August 1, 2025 – The Whammies concert at the Civic Center amphitheater. Dance and new wave hits from the 80’s.

John Becker Talks Trash in Union Township

Keep our community clean. Please don’t litter.
Every Day is Earth Day in Union Township.
Let’s Make Union Township Clean Again.
Union Township messaging will hopefully bring awareness to the litter problem and make our community a cleaner place to live, work, and play.

The following is where I’ve been picking up trash (servant leadership):
April 12, 2025 – Part of Shephard Road until my trash grabber broke.
March 22, 2025 – Rumpke Road from Tall Trees to Old SR 74 and Old SR 74 from just east of the creek to Eastgate Blvd.
December 21, 2024 – Eastgate Boulevard from SR 32 to Aicholtz Road. Top of the exit ramp from eastbound SR 32 to Eastgate Blvd. Top of the entrance ramp from northbound Eastgate Boulevard to eastbound SR 32. Old SR 74 from Eastgate Boulevard to the creek east of Rumpke Rd. Rumpke Road from Tall Trees Drive to Old SR 74.
December 14, 2024 – Bach Buxton Road between SR 32 and Clepper Lane. (I’ve now done all of Bach Buxton from SR 32 to Clough Pike.) Also, the area around Rumpke Road and Old SR 74.
December 7, 2024 – Bach Buxton Road from Mt. Carmel Christian Church to Clough Pike. Also stopped to pick up “large litter” along a different section of Bach Buxton Road as well as the Eastgate Boulevard overpass. Additionally, I did an expanded area around Rumpke Road and Old SR 74. It included the lower portion of Rumpke Road and Old SR 74 from the creek to the Public Storage building.
November 16, 2024 – Bach Buxton Road between Valley Wood Drive and Redleaf Drive in front of the main entrance to West Clermont High School. Additionally, I did the area around Park Bank and Rumpke Road.
November 9, 2024 – Bach Buxton Road from Shayler Road to Valley Woods Drive. Also, Old SR 74 from Park Bank to the creek.
November 2, 2024 – Bach Buxton Road from Clepper Lane to Shayler Road. Also Old SR 74 from Pet Suites to the creek.
October 26, 2024 – Eastgate Blvd from Big Lots to Old SR 74 and the area around the intersection of Eastgate Blvd and Old SR 74.
October 19, 2024 – Old SR 74 from Eastgate Blvd to the creek and the Rumpke Road intersection.
October 12, 2024 – Rumpke Road from Tall Trees to Old SR 74 and Old SR 74 to the creek.
October 5, 2024 – Clepper Park.

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 David Taylor’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
  • Cincinnati Metro Park-n-Ride

For more information, call 513-752-1741 or visit UTClermont.gov.

Union Township welcomes new and growing businesses

Some of the below may be pending trustee approval:

  • In Mt. Carmel, the new Pigskins Bar & Grill, at 455 Old SR 74, is expected to be open for business sometime between June-July.
  • Deeper Roots, a massage, yoga, and meditation center, will be opening soon at 778 Old SR 74.
  • The old Laszlo’s location in Withamsville will become David’s Kitchen & Bar. It is expected to open within a few months.
  • The Cove, a 16,000 square-foot mixed-use commercial center adjacent to the roundabout at Eastgate Blvd. and Ferguson Drive, was approved by the Township Trustees in January. The proposed building is intended to house retail space on the first floor, as well as a drive-thru area for a restaurant or coffee shop (on the west side of the building)—with office space planned for the second floor. The project has not yet advanced beyond the initial Trustees zoning plan approval stage.
  • Grace & Gather, and social club for young children (primarily elementary school age) and families, will occupy the former daycare and educational facility at 4132 Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road.
  • Rumpke will begin construction of a $12 million indoor waste and recycling transfer facility. The facility will also have public recycling stations available for residents and businesses to utilize throughout the year. It will be located off of Round Bottom Road within the northern-most portion of the Champion’s Way development.
  • Cincinnati Sands Volleyball is also planning to build off of Round Bottom Road just north of Hamilton Safe. Township permits have been issued and they are waiting on county permitting.
  • Primrose School is planning to build in Ivy Pointe north of Sharefax Credit Union. The Township has issued the zoning permit and they are in process at Clermont County Permit Central. It represents another $8 million – $10 million in investment within the Ivy Pointe Commerce Park.
  • A VA Clinic is under construction in Ivy Pointe north of the Children’s Hospital site. They expect to complete construction in the Fall of 2025.
  • The old Glen Este High School site (approved by a prior Board of Trustees) consists of three projects either completed or under construction. When complete, about 1,150 units will be available.
  • Starbucks construction and site work is nearly completed at the old Taco Bell “Tom Yum” on Ohio Pike near Bach Buxton.
  • New construction continues at the Wyler Empire on SR32. They are building a used car superstore.
  • The Winding Creek recycling operation continues to take shape.
  • Panda Express has begun construction activities next to the Union Township library.
  • Children’s Hospital is under construction in the Ivy Pointe area near TQL and is expected to be fully open by the end of this summer.
  • Wawa is taking over the old Mt. Carmel Kroger location. Construction is expected to be complete in the Fall of this year.
  • McDonald’s has submitted plans for a new restaurant next to WaWa. The Township has issued the zoning permit and the project is awaiting final County permit approvals.
  • Alfaa purchased and submitted plans to build on an empty lot on the corner of Aicholtz Road and Eastgate Blvd. UT has issued the zoning permit.
  • A small strip mall is coming to the corner of SR 32 and Mt. Carmel Tobasco Road on Yates Lane. A zoning permit has been issued. No start date has been announced. Site preparation activities have begun.
  • The old Valero on the corner of Ohio Pike and Bennett Road is under new ownership. The plan is to remodel and expand a convenience and wine store.
  • Honda East will be expanding their operations in Cherry Grove. We received plans for a zoning permit, with the expectation that they will be addressing comments early in 2025.
  • TQL has completed their expansion.
  • The Kroger Marketplace slated to replace the old Sears store is on hold pending litigation with the owner of the Eastgate Mall.

Recent Union Township Trustees Meeting Videos

April 8, 2025 Business meeting (2h 26m) Executive session (51m)
March 11, 2025 Business meeting (1h 24m)
February 25, 2025 Business meeting (4h 29m) Executive session (45m)
January 14, 2025 Business meeting (3h 51m)
January 2, 2025 Reorganization meeting (19m)
December 31, 2024 Special meeting (2m)
December 10, 2024 Business meeting (1h 10m) Executive session (3h 35m)
November 12, 2024 Business meeting (1h 26m) Executive session (1h 58m)
October 8, 2024 Business meeting (1h 13m)
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)

Event Calendar 

Disclaimer: All events, locations, and times are subject to change.

May 1, 2025
National Day of Prayer in Batavia beginning at noon.

May 3, 2025
Family Movie Night (The Wild Robot) at Veterans Park beginning at dusk.

May 5, 2025
UT GOP meeting at the Civic Center at 7 PM.

May 6, 2025
Election Day: 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
West Clermont School District combined property tax and earned income tax levy.
State Issue 2 – $2.5 billion Local Public Infrastructure Bond Amendment.
Argument in Support of Issue 2.
Argument in Opposition to Issue 2.

May 10, 2025
Bike Safety Event from 10:00 AM to noon at the Civic Center Campus.

May 13, 2025
Union Township Trustees meeting at the Civic Center at 6 PM.

May 15, 2025
Clermont County Township Assn meeting in Goshen at 6:30 PM.

May 17, 2025
Family Fishing Event at Clepper Park beginning at 9AM.

May 17, 2025
CPR/AED Training from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Civic Center Queen City Room.

May 19, 2025
AMT meeting at the UT Library at 6:30 – 7:45 PM.

May 21, 2025
Clermont County Republican Party meeting at HQ in Batavia at 7PM.

May 21, 2025
Law Enforcement Appreciation Banquet at the Oasis beginning at 5:00 PM.

Video Central

John Becker – Am I wrong about spending priorities? (5 minutes)
PragerU – What’s Not to Love about Socialism? (6 minutes)
PragerU – Do Tax Cuts Work? (5 minutes)
PragerU – Renewing the American Covenant (6 minutes)
PragerU – Should You Homeschool? (5 minutes)
Tom Z

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)

Recent Videos Introducing The Becker Report

April 2025 (16 minutes)
March 2025 (9 minutes)
February 2025 (6 minutes)
January 2025 (8 minutes)
December 2024 (8 minutes)
November 2024 (4 minutes)
October 2024 (6 minutes)
September 2024 (11 minutes)
August 2024 (6 minutes)
July 2024 (6 minutes)
June 2024 (5 minutes)
May 2024 (11 minutes)
April 2024 (6 minutes)
March 2024 (4 minutes)

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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