Bob Paduchik won the election to become Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. He earned the support of a large majority of the 66 members of the State Central Committee. I had a full week to reach out to those 66 members and solicit their vote for a grassroots Trump Republican. I had a lot of very good conversations. Although one or two were a bit contentious, all were polite and courteous. That speaks to the professionalism of the organization. The acting chairman and staff were always attentive to my requests for information. Although I would have preferred a public Q&A between Mr. Paduchik and me, I can’t imagine how the process could have been any more open, transparent, or fair. I was given the opportunity and I came up short. I did my best and have no regrets or complaints. I’d also like to thank the many supporters who reached out to the members of the committee on my behalf. Your voices were heard and counted. Your actions were truly an organic grassroots effort. I am impressed and thankful for your support.
Generally speaking, would you say that things in Ohio are heading in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track?
Wrong track was selected by 72 percent of Ohio’s registered Republicans.
Do you approve or disapprove of the job Mike DeWine is doing as governor?
Disapprove was selected by 75 percent.
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mike DeWine is responding to the coronavirus?
Disapprove was selected by 78 percent.
Do you believe Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home orders and restrictions on businesses are effective at preventing the spread of coronavirus?
Disapprove was selected by 85 percent.
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Mike DeWine is handling Ohio’s economy?
Disapprove was selected by 76 percent.
How confident are you in Mike DeWine’s ability to lead Ohio toward economic recovery?
Very not confident was selected by 66 percent.
Somewhat not confident was selected by an additional 14 percent.
Rush Limbaugh
It was during the Gulf War in 1990 that I became a fan of AM radio. That was also the same time that I began listening to Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk radio hosts. It was refreshing and affirming to listen to somebody who thought the same way I did. I bought his books and his ties and remained a Rush Limbaugh fan through the very end. He is and will continue to be missed by millions. RIP, Rush Limbaugh.
Private Citizen Affidavits (PCAs)
The September and October 2020 editions of The Becker Report explains much of the detail. The 25 counties that I know of where PCAs have been filed or delivered per ORC 2935.09(D) are: Adams, Allen, Ashtabula, Belmont. Brown, Butler, Clermont, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Highland, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Richland, Summit, Union, Warren, Washington, and Wood Counties. Only 63 more to go! The purpose of these is to seek out a judge or prosecutor willing to perform his clear legal duty as described in ORC 2935.10(A) and either issue an arrest warrant or launch an investigation into the charges outlined in the PCA against Governor DeWine.
March 1, 2021 Union Township GOP meeting at the Union Twp Civic Center at 7 PM.
March 17, 2021 Clermont County GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor in Batavia at 7 PM.
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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
I voted for Senator Cruz in the 2016 Primary election. A few months later it came down to Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. I’ve been a Trump guy ever since Senator Cruz conceded. That was a no-brainer.
It’s easy to find reasons to like President Trump
Trump has been awesome at promoting Pro-Life judges and fighting planned Parenthood. Intentional abortion (killing innocent human beings) is an evil that must be defeated.
He made very good and substantive changes to the tax code and eliminated the mandate to force people to purchase healthcare insurance against their will.
Trump’s economic policy has been hugely successful and we are now energy independent for the first time in my lifetime.
His foreign policy has also been hugely successful with peace treaties in the middle east and renegotiating trade deals to put America first.
Trump took on the establishment to drain the swamp. He connected with regular people and spoke our language. Fortunately, he was no Mitt Romney or John McCain. But he wasn’t as smooth or charismatic as Ronald Reagan either.
Although he was technically a politician, he could be better described as the anti-politician. He had and continues to enjoy the loyal following of millions.
I’m saddened that America’s unprecedented success due to Trump’s policies is beginning to change.
Nobody’s Perfect
There is certainly room for criticism of Trump. His personal life prior to becoming president reminded me of when Bill Clinton was president and performed his sins in the Whitehouse. (But according to the Democrats, “character doesn’t matter.”) Trump is not a constitutionalist and has been recklessly deepening the national debt. The day of reckoning gets closer every day. The end is near. I just keep hoping that the fiscal collapse doesn’t occur in my or my children’s lifetime. We’ll see.
Impeached Again? Really?
As if the first impeachment wasn’t dubious enough, the second impeachment (without any hearings) further discounts the first one. I’m looking forward to the Senate trial and the contents of Trump’s speech used against him: “We want to be so respectful of everybody, including bad people.” “I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”
Under the topic of “elections have consequences,” the Biden administration has moved quickly to:
Destroy American jobs (Keystone Pipeline).
Threaten national security.
Roll back energy independence.
Open the borders to illegal aliens.
Expand Medicaid to more able-bodied adults.
Allow biological men to compete in women’s sports complete with locker room and shower access.
Lola can now serve in the military and the taxpayers have to pay for his/her/whatever sex change operations and hormone treatments.
Use our tax dollars to maximize the killing of innocent human beings awaiting exit from their mother’s birth canal.
Well, I hope as many as possible make it out alive and into loving arms rather than an abortionist’s bloody hands.
Minimum Wage
I suppose an argument could be made that too many people don’t have access to high-end housing and sports cars. It’s a matter of fairness that the minimum wage should be at least $200 per hour. It’s a matter of equity, right? This would go a long way toward the left’s goal of equal outcomes for all. Is $200 too much? Or not enough? Why? How do we know what the correct number is? Perhaps we should set it at zero and let the free-market economy figure out the optimal wage for services rendered? It seems like that would maximize employment and business efficiency.
Private Citizen Affidavits (PCAs)
The September and October 2020 editions of The Becker Report explains much of the detail. The 25 counties that I know of where PCAs have been filed or delivered per ORC 2935.09(D) are: Adams, Allen, Ashtabula, Belmont. Brown, Butler, Clermont, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Highland, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Richland, Summit, Union, Warren, Washington, and Wood Counties. Only 63 more to go! The purpose of these is to seek out a judge or prosecutor willing to perform his clear legal duty as described in ORC 2935.10(A) and either issue an arrest warrant or launch an investigation into the charges outlined in the PCA against Governor DeWine.
Washington County – Marietta
Some of you had inquired about a potential charge or cost for filing a Private Citizen Affidavit (PCA). Initially, I had that same concern. My attorney assured me that case law would protect the citizens in the eight SW Ohio counties that comprise of the 12th District Court of Appeals, but there was no guarantee for the rest of the state. He was correct. As these PCAs were getting filed throughout Ohio, I had repeatedly told people that there were no guarantees, but I had not heard of anybody getting charged any kind of fee for properly filing a criminal affidavit as allowed under Ohio law. All of that was true until Washington County came to my attention. One of their citizens properly filed a criminal PCA, per ORC 2935.09(D), with the Washington County Clerk of Courts. The Clerk improperly processed the criminal PCA through civil court and the judge illegally dismissed it without an investigation per the requirements of ORC 2935.10(A). Worse than that, the citizen is now the victim of the court’s improper actions. The victim received a bill for court costs for $192.90. WTH? The victim reached out to me and then I contacted my attorney. Based on his guidance, I reached out to the Washington County Clerk of Courts and their prosecutor’s office via email. Our communications were prompt, polite, and professional. However, at the end of the day I was told that the situation is what it is and if the victim doesn’t like it, the victim should spend thousands of dollars to hire an attorney and fight Washington County in court. The victim doesn’t have the resources to fight them and I found it tempting to personally finance the effort to seek justice. Prudence prevailed and I simply issued a personal check to the victim for $192.90. Just for the record here, the victim did not ask, nor expected me to do that. I volunteered it because I don’t like to see people get screwed. That said, I’m not promising that I’ll do that for anybody else. I’m telling this story to let people know that it is imperative that criminal PCAs get processed through criminal court. If the Clerk of Courts refuses to process it properly, then take it directly to the prosecutor’s office. Don’t be a victim.
Clermont County Republican Party Resolution
The Clermont County Republican Party passed a resolution (sponsored by Chris Hicks) asking the Ohio Republican Party to not endorse in the 2022 primary election, but rather to support a free and open primary election. Although much of the discussion focused on Governor DeWine, the resolution was written broadly to include all offices. It is as follows:
A resolution MAY 2022 PRIMARY AND THE OHIO REPUBLICAN PARTY WHEREAS, on January 15, 2021, at a meeting of the Ohio Republican Party, Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken alluded to supporting incumbents; WHEREAS we believe in the need for a fair Republican Primary in 2022 that allows fair consideration of alternatives to all incumbent candidates; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Clermont County Republican Party calls on the Ohio Republican Party and Chair Timken to support and defend a free and open Republican Primary for all offices that puts voters and their county party first, not Columbus insiders, first; THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on the Ohio Republican Party to not issue candidate endorsements in the 2022 Primary. • Considered and approved by the Clermont County Republican Central Committee on January 20, 2021. • Motioned by: Nathan Schuler (Tate Township D). • Seconded by: Magda Dawson (Union Township Y). • For: 39 (73%) / Opposed 11 (21%) / Non-voting 3 (6%)
February 3, 2021 Union Township GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor in Batavia at 7 PM.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“[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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
I’m asking for your help to payoff $20,000 of campaign debt and to prepare for my next run for office in 2021 or 2022. Please send a generous contribution to: Friends of Becker 925 Locust Ln. Cincinnati, OH 45245-1313
As many of you know, I am in my 8th and final year in the Ohio House of Representatives (term limits). During lame-duck sessions, all outgoing members are invited to address the House. One or more members sing the praises of the outgoing member and it ends with a standing ovation. Very nice.
I declined the invitation. My reasons are simple: I didn’t go to Columbus to be treated like royalty, to be honored by colleagues, or the lobbyists seeking to rent me for eight years. I went to Columbus to defend, support, and promote the Christian conservative values of Southern Ohio. And I did that to the best of my ability.
It has never been about me. It’s always been about principled conservatism.
Many establishment Republicans, both in Columbus and Batavia, will be happy to see me go. Trying to work with a principled conservative is difficult when the agenda is higher spending, higher taxes, and watered-down conservative legislation. I never went along with any of that; hence the reason they’re looking forward to my last day.
I can’t say that I’m going to miss Columbus. I’ll continue to have hope for my few principled conservative colleagues who will continue to serve in a small minority. Hopefully, some of the new members starting in January will have what it takes to be part of the conservative coalition. Historically, we’re lovingly known as the “Caveman Caucus.” That’s what I will miss. (We’re similar to the “Freedom Caucus” in Washington DC.)
Good Riddance
Although I’ve worked with the establishment where I could, I’ve often been a thorn in their side. From 2004 through 2012, I was a member of the Republican State Central Committee. I was known for standing up at meetings to preach the conservative doctrine. My claim to fame was that I was the only member of the state committee, in the history of the Ohio GOP, to ever vote NO on Bob Bennet for Chairman. He respected me for that. Nobody else had the nads to stand up to him. He and I got along quite well after that. Bob was a good man.
From 2013 through 2020, I was consistently recognized by the media and my colleagues as one of the most conservative members of the Ohio House of Representatives. During budget caucus meetings, I would challenge my colleagues to be fiscal conservatives and support a fiscally restrained budget. One year, I set the example by creating the “Becker Budget.” I held spending increases to the inflation rate, eliminated Medicaid expansion, and phased out the income tax over five years. It went nowhere of course, but it demonstrated a reasonable and very doable approach to controlling the growth in spending. Out of four operating budgets over eight years, I only voted for one of them. It was the most fiscally restrained.
Regarding the Batavia establishment, I’ve been fighting with them off and on since 1993. Judeo-Christian conservative values have never exactly been “job-one.” You might recall earlier this year that I went public with the corruption in the Clermont County Republican Party. Fortunately, the problem is not cultural but limited to one or two individuals at the very top of Party leadership. Therefore, I’ll continue to be a thorn in their side for at least until we hold new elections in 2022. I’m confident that the Party will get back on the right track.
And thinking back to 1993, some of you might recall that it was Bill Clinton who motivated me to get involved politically. When he became president-elect in 1992, I knew that I had to do more than just vote. The rest is history.
Private Citizen Affidavits (PCAs)
The September and October 2020 editions of The Becker Report explains much of the detail. The 23 counties that I know of where PCAs have been filed or delivered are: Adams, Allen, Ashtabula, Belmont. Brown, Clermont, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Highland, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Richland, Summit, Union, Warren, Washington, and Wood Counties. Only 65 more to go! The purpose of these is to seek out a judge or prosecutor willing to perform his clear legal duty as described in ORC 2935.10(A) and either issue an arrest warrant or launch an investigation into the charges outlined in the PCA against Governor DeWine.
The Ohio General Assembly Failed the People
As predicted, the Senate dropped the ball (again) and failed to vote to override the governor’s veto of SB 311. Most stunning was how the Senate attempted to blame the House for the Senate’s inaction. Incredible! Furthermore, the House dropped the ball and failed to hold impeachment hearings on the 12 articles of impeachment against Governor DeWine that were filed in November. Other than some meaningless “feel good” legislation, the Ohio General Assembly failed to perform our oversight duties and have decided to continue allowing Governor DeWine to reign as an imperial “governor gone wild.” Due to the General Assembly’s failure to act, businesses and the people will continue to be bullied and harassed by the Division of Liquor Control, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, the Ohio Department of Health, and by any additional government agencies that Governor DeWine chooses to weaponize. Ohio’s 133rd General Assembly has come to an end without supporting the rule of law, the separation of powers doctrine, or the concept of a constitutional republic. The liberty loving people of Ohio are very disappointed with our results.
Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been incorporated into HB 674 and requires no further action. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned to the State and Local Government committee. HB 674 – Revises alcohol laws. Representative Brett Hillyer and I teamed up to get this passed. The bill incorporates HB 219 (SALES) and other reforms. It is awaiting the governor’s signature. HB 753 – Creates a new negligent assault offense. This bill is named “Parker’s Law” and is for a little boy that was injured by an adult.
Note that all dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
January 11, 2021 Union Township GOP meeting Norlyn Manor in Batavia at 7 PM.
January 20, 2021 Clermont County GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor in Batavia at 7 PM.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“[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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
As you may know, I’ve been leading the effort to impeach Governor DeWine and to restore the rule of law. To that end, 12 articles of impeachment have now been officially filed with the Ohio House Clerk. Joining me as co-sponsors are Representatives Keller, Vitale, and Zeltwanger. Additionally, I’ve asked Speaker Cupp to assign the articles to my Federalism Committee. As chairman, my plan is to have two hearings and then advance it to the House floor for a final vote to send to the Senate for trial.
Senate Bill 311
SB 311 passed the Senate and the House. It is awaiting Governor DeWine’s promised veto. It has two key provisions:
Prohibits the Department of Health (ODH) from issuing a general, mandatory statewide or regional quarantine or isolation order that applies to and is enforced against individuals who have not been either directly exposed to or medically diagnosed with the disease that is the subject of the order.
Allows the General Assembly to adopt a concurrent resolution to rescind certain ODH orders or rules for preventing the spread of contagious or infectious diseases.
SB 311 is good legislation and a great start. But it doesn’t go far enough. The bill does not address Governor DeWine’s weaponing of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the Division of Liquor Control. SB 311 is limited to the ODH and doesn’t address potential abuses by local health departments. Regardless, what will happen when the Governor vetoes the bill? It would go back to the Senate for action. The Senate has failed to act on SB 1 and SB 55. Based on that history, I won’t be surprised if the Senate fails to act on SB 311 as well.
House Bill 618 – Need Ohio Working (NOW) Act
In a sentence, HB 618 reduces Governor DeWine’s Covid orders to advisory, rather than under penalty of 90 days in jail and a fine of $750, unless the General Assembly approves the orders. The bill has 12 co-sponsors and had its last hearing on November 17th in the State and Local Government Committee. Nearly 100 people submitted written or in-person support at that hearing. That’s huge! I’m drafting an amendment that does three things:
Specifies that General Assembly approval is by concurrent resolution. That means a simple up or down vote by the House and Senate.
Adds language that in addition to the Governor’s orders, no state agency shall carry out those orders without General Assembly concurrent approval. This addresses the “whack-a-Mole” game that the Governor has been playing by weaponizing the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the Division of Liquor Control.
Reduces the penalties that can be imposed by the ODH and the local health departments to a warning on the first offense and $100 per offense thereafter.
Additionally, I have two more amendments I’m considering:
No state agency, board, officer, official, or local subdivision (including k-12 public schools and public colleges and universities) shall issue a general, mandatory statewide, regional, or local order requiring face coverings that applies to and is enforced against individuals who have not been either directly exposed to or medically diagnosed with and is considered to be at a high or moderate risk of transmitting the disease that is the subject of the order.
No state agency, board, officer, official, or local subdivision (including k-12 public schools and public colleges and universities) shall issue a general, mandatory statewide, regional, or local order requiring a vaccine for COVID-19.
Chairman Wiggam supports the bill and wants to vote it out provided that a majority of the committee members support the bill. You could help by reaching out to the members listed below. The position of the following Republicans is either unknown or they are undecided. I’ve personally reached out to each one. They are: Representative Ginter: Rep05@OhioHouse.gov Representative Greenspan: Rep16@OhioHouse.gov Representative Hambley: Rep69@OhioHouse.gov Representative Smith: Rep43@OhioHouse.gov Representative Swearingen: Rep89@OhioHouse.gov Representative Wilkin: Rep91@OhioHouse.gov
Based on their voting records, the below Democrats are likely NO votes: Representative Kelly: Rep31@OhioHouse.gov Representative Kent: Rep25@OhioHouse.gov Representative Russo: Rep24@OhioHouse.gov Representative Skindell: Rep13@OhioHouse.gov Representative Sobecki: Rep45@OhioHouse.gov Representative Strahorn: Rep39@OhioHouse.gov
Private Citizen Affidavits (PCAs)
The September and October 2020 editions of The Becker Report explains much of the detail. The 20 counties that I know of where PCAs have been filed or delivered are: Adams, Allen, Ashtabula, Brown, Clermont, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Highland, Lake, Lorain, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Richland, Summit, Union, Warren, and Wood Counties. Only 68 more to go!
Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been incorporated into HB 674 and requires no further action. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned to the State and Local Government committee. HB 674 – Revises alcohol laws. Brett Hillyer and I teamed up to get this passed. The bill incorporates HB 219 (SALES) and other reforms. It passed the Ohio House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Frank Hoagland. HB 753 – Creates a new negligent assault offense. This bill is named “Parker’s Law” and is for a little boy that was injured by an adult.
Note that all dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
December 7, 2020 Union Township GOP meeting Norlyn Manor at 7 PM.
December 25, 2020 Merry Christmas!
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
Absurd, Ridiculous, Laughable – “Pounding the Table”
Words like absurd, ridiculous, and laughable, are being used by Governor DeWine’s supporters, and some in the media, to describe my Private Citizen Affidavit (PCA) outlining 10 criminal violations against Governor DeWine. It’s interesting to note that nobody has attempted to defend the governor on any of the allegations – just non-substantive ridicule. My attorney told me that, “When you have the facts on your side, you pound the facts. When you have the law on your side, you pound the law. When you have neither on your side, you pound the table.” Well, Governor DeWine’s supporters have been doing a lot of table pounding. (The details and more information on the PCA is in the September issue of The Becker Report.)
Let’s examine the arguments in the PCA and you decide which ones, if any, are absurd, ridiculous, or laughable. Although the seven felonies are listed first, they are ranked by logical argument rather than greatest punishment. The three misdemeanors follow.
First Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has intimidated or coerced the people of Ohio? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has intimidated, coerced, and promoted fear in multiple ways including but not limited to required social distancing, emphasizing the reporting of irrelevant cumulative Covid cases, color-coded metrics emphasizing “red” areas, and the mandate to wear face coverings, interfering with the freedom to worship, freedom to shop, the availability of sports, and the reopening of in-person instruction, etcetera? Isn’t it true that Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2909.24(A)(1) states that [No person shall] “intimidate or coerce a civilian population”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2909.24? Isn’t it true that ORC 2909.24 is Ohio’s “Terrorism” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of terrorism under ORC 2909.24(A)(1)?
Second Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has threatened to intimidate, coerce, and promote fear in the people of Ohio? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has repeatedly, recklessly, and flagrantly, threatened, intimidated and coerced Ohio’s citizens, businesses, healthcare facilities, churches, schools, and operators of voting locations, et al with closure and restrictions to their business models and operations? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has repeatedly and flagrantly threatened criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750 for violating his “orders”? Isn’t it true that ORC 2909.23(A)(1)(a) states that [No person shall threaten to] “intimidate or coerce a civilian population” and “cause a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission of the specified offense”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2909.23? Isn’t it true that ORC 2909.23 is Ohio’s “Making Terroristic Threat” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of making a terroristic threat under ORC 2909.23(A)(1)(a)?
Third Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has engaged in a pattern of intimidation and coercion? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has committed multiple violations of intimidation, coercion, and promoting fear as described above? Isn’t it true that ORC 2923.31(I)(2)(a) states that [Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity is conduct constituting] “a violation of …2909.23 and 2909.24…” Isn’t it true that ORC 2909.23 and 2909.24 includes the offenses of intimidation, coercion, and fear? Isn’t it true that ORC 2909.23 and 2909.24 are Ohio’s terrorism and making terroristic threat statutes? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2923.31? Isn’t it true that ORC 2923.31 is Ohio’s “Engaging in Pattern of Corrupt Activity” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity under ORC 2923.31(I)(2)(a)?
Fourth Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has solicited or procured another to commit a crime? Isn’t it true that, per the above statutes, Governor DeWine has “solicited and procured” to commit the offense of “engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity,” et al, by conspiring with his cabinet-level officials such as the Department of Health and the Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control as well as the Ohio Secretary of State and hospital administrators, et al, to promote fear, threaten business licenses, shutter businesses, and illegally cancel an election, etcetera? Isn’t it true that ORC 2923.03(A)(1) states that [No person shall] “solicit or procure another to commit the offense”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2923.03? Isn’t it true that ORC 2923.03 is Ohio’s “Complicity” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of complicity under ORC 2923.03(A)(1)?
Fifth Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has caused serious public inconvenience or alarm? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine caused serious public inconvenience or alarm when he illegally cancelled the March 17, 2020 primary election, reported outlandish Covid numbers, mandated face coverings, shut down healthcare facilities to nonessential procedures, and shut down or placed onerous restrictions upon retail establishments, bars, restaurants, etcetera? Isn’t it true that ORC 2917.31(A)(3) states that [No person shall] “commit any offense, with reckless disregard of the likelihood that its commission will cause serious public inconvenience or alarm”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2917.31? Isn’t it true that ORC 2917.31 is Ohio’s “Inducing Panic” law? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of inducing panic under ORC 2917.31(A)(3)?
Sixth Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine conspired with others to engage in a pattern of intimidation, coercion, and promoting fear? Isn’t it true that ORC 2923.01(A)(1) states that [No person, with purpose to commit or to promote or facilitate] “with another person or persons, plan or aid in planning the commission of [engagement in a pattern of corrupt activity]? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2923.01? Isn’t it true that ORC 2923.01 is Ohio’s “Conspiracy” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of conspiracy under ORC 2923.01(A)(1)?
Seventh Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine cancelled the March 17, 2020 primary election and barred people from in-person voting? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine intimidated, coerced, or by other unlawful means induced electors [voters] to refrain from voting at a primary election? Isn’t it true that ORC 3599.01(A)(2) states that [No person shall] “attempt by intimidation, coercion, or other unlawful means to induce such delegate or elector [voter] to register or refrain from registering or to vote or refrain from voting at a primary, convention, or election for a particular person, question, or issue”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 3599.01? Isn’t it true that ORC 3599.01 is Ohio’s “Bribery” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of bribery under ORC 3599.01(A)(2)?
Eighth Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine interfered with a constitutional or statutory right? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine recklessly and repeatedly violated civil liberties, “constitutional, and statutory rights” by closing healthcare facilities for nonessential procedures in violation of Article I, section 21 (B) and (C) of the Ohio Constitution to obtain healthcare, closing voting locations (tantamount to cancelling the election) in violation of ORC 3501.01(E)(2) as mandated by Article I, Section 4 of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 27 of the Ohio Constitution and unlawfully placing nearly 12 million Ohioans (effectively) under house arrest and to wear facial coverings, subject to government-approved exceptions, thereby violating millions of Ohioans’ legal freedoms of association and civil liberties and due process rights under threat of credible criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750? Isn’t it true that ORC 2921.45(A) states that, “No public servant, under color of his office, employment, or authority, shall knowingly deprive, or conspire or attempt to deprive any person of a constitutional or statutory right”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2921.45? Isn’t it true that ORC 2921.45 is Ohio’s Interfering with “Civil Rights” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of interfering with civil rights under ORC 2921.45(A)?
Ninth Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has coerced others? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine illegally, callously, and deliberately, in collusion with others, ordered the closing of healthcare facilities to nonessential procedures, voting locations, bars, et, al and threatened to revoke liquor and other business licenses and under the additional threat of credible criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750? Isn’t it true that ORC 2905.12(A)(5) states that [No person, with purpose to coerce another into taking or refraining from action concerning which the other person has a legal freedom of choice, shall] “take, withhold, or threaten to take or withhold official action, or cause or threaten to cause official action to be taken or withheld”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2905.12? Isn’t it true that ORC 2905.12 is Ohio’s “Coercion” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of coercion under ORC 2905.12(A)(5)?
Tenth Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine has forced the physical separation of loved ones from family members in care facilities? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine promoted fear and demonstrated callous disregard for health and happiness by requiring “neglect against residents or patients of care facilities” by requiring the withholding of the physical love, comfort, and emotional support of family members constituting cruel and unusual punishment? Isn’t it true that ORC 2903.34(A)(3) states that, [No person who owns, operates, or administers, or who is an agent or employee of, a care facility shall] “commit neglect against a resident or patient of the facility”? Isn’t it true that Governor DeWine is in clear violation of ORC 2903.34? Isn’t it true that ORC 2903.34 is Ohio’s “Patient abuse or Neglect” statute? Isn’t it true that probable cause exists for the crime of patient abuse or neglect under ORC 2903.34(A)(3)?
Person having knowledge of offense to file affidavit – official review before complaint filed
ORC 2935.09(D) creates a statutory right for a private citizen to file a “Private Citizen Affidavit (PCA).” “A private citizen having knowledge of the facts who seeks to cause an arrest or prosecution under this section may file an affidavit charging the offense committed with a reviewing official for the purpose of review to determine if a complaint should be filed by the prosecuting attorney or attorney charged by law with the prosecution of offenses in the court or before the magistrate. A private citizen may file an affidavit charging the offense committed with the clerk of a court of record before or after the normal business hours of the reviewing officials if the clerk’s office is open at those times. A clerk who receives an affidavit before or after the normal business hours of the reviewing officials shall forward it to a reviewing official when the reviewing official’s normal business hours resume.”
Filing of affidavit or complaint procedure
In the case of a felony, ORC 2935.10(A) mandates the arrest or investigation of the person charged in the PCA. “Upon the filing of an affidavit or complaint as provided by section 2935.09 of the Revised Code, if it charges the commission of a felony, such judge, clerk, or magistrate, unless he has reason to believe that it was not filed in good faith, or the claim is not meritorious, shall forthwith issue a warrant for the arrest of the person charged in the affidavit, and directed to a peace officer; otherwise he shall forthwith refer the matter to the prosecuting attorney or other attorney charged by law with prosecution for investigation prior to the issuance of warrant.”
Good faith, Meritorious
These words in ORC 2935.10(A) simply mean probable cause. Probable cause is generally defined as a reasonable ground for suspicion supported by facts and circumstances sufficiently strong to warrant a prudent person to believe that an accused person has committed an offense. If the court finds probable cause for at least one of the above felony charges, ORC 2935.10(A) mandates that a warrant for Governor DeWine’s arrest must be issued. It is not discretionary. The basic facts surrounding the above charges are not in dispute and probable cause is self-evident. Therefore, the arrest of Governor DeWine for criminal charges is mandated (based on the facts) per the statute. That said, I can’t imagine a warrant getting issued for Governor DeWine’s arrest regardless of probable cause. At a minimum ORC 2935.10(A) mandates a criminal investigation. That’s why I filed for a writ of mandamus in the 12th District Court of Appeals to have the court order the Clermont County Prosecutor to follow the law. Although filing a PCA is free and does not require an attorney, filing for a writ of mandamus requires a filing fee and an attorney. Plan on spending thousands of dollars if you choose to go there. Freedom isn’t free.
Conclusion
At this point, I expect that it is clear to the reader that nothing in my PCA is absurd, ridiculous, or laughable. Those are the kinds of comments people make when they haven’t a substantive retort. The charges are strong. The evidence is damning. And the facts and the law are on the side of the people. I’ll leave the table pounding to Governor DeWine’s supporters. And speaking of absurd, ridiculous, and laughable, let’s review the clause of the sentence that Governor DeWine has used to seize power. It is in ORC 3701.13. “The department [Ohio Department of Health] may make special or standing orders or rules for preventing the use of fluoroscopes for nonmedical purposes that emit doses of radiation likely to be harmful to any person, for preventing the spread of contagious or infectious diseases, for governing the receipt and conveyance of remains of deceased persons, and for such other sanitary matters as are best controlled by a general rule.”
I rest my case.
Next Steps
The articles of impeachment are still open for additional co-sponsors and can be found at ImpeachDeWine.com. Contact your state representative and ask them to co-sponsor. A Word document for the PCA draft can also be downloaded from the same website. That link is in the blue font on the right side. Just change Clermont County to your county. Change my personal information to your own. Change anything else at your discretion. Get it notarized and file it with a Clerk of Courts in your county.
Review
After I introduced HB 618, Governor DeWine threatened to veto it and all other bills that would curb the power that he has taken. Not having the votes to override vetoes, I drafted an impeachment resolution. It only requires 50 of 99 votes to advance to the Senate, where 2/3 is required for removal from office. Speaker Cupp controls the agenda and effectively vetoed the impeachment approach. Simultaneously, many of my colleagues refused to sign on as co-sponsors because there had been no criminal charges. (Note that criminal charges are not required for impeachment and have never been part of any impeachment proceedings in Ohio.) Therefore, to advance criminal charges, I filed a PCA in Clermont County. So far, PCAs have been filed in 13 counties that I’m aware of. They are Clermont, Miami, Montgomery, Wood, Lake, Richland, Adams, Lorain, Allen, Marion, Union, Brown, and Franklin Counties. Additionally, I’ve had inquiries from citizens in about 40 other counties wanting to do the same.
The Plan
The plan is to continue to get PCAs filed in courts in all 88 counties until a prosecutor decides to take the law seriously and perform his duty required by ORC 2935.10(A). When that happens, I expect that impeachment proceedings will begin and Governor DeWine will resign. (I wish him a long comfortably, happy, and healthy retirement.) Lt. Gov. Husted will take the helm and will either lift the boot of big government off of the throats of the people and reopen the state or suffer the same fate as his predecessor. We’ll see.
Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been incorporated into HB 674 and requires no further action. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned to the State and Local Government committee. HB 674 – Revises alcohol laws. Brett Hillyer and I teamed up to get this passed. The bill incorporates HB 219 (SALES) and other reforms. It passed the Ohio House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Frank Hoagland. HB 753 – Creates a new negligent assault offense. This bill is named “Parker’s Law” and is for a little boy that was injured by an adult.
Note that all dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
November 2, 2020 Union Township GOP “meeting” at Grammas Pizza to pick up elections materials at 7 PM.
November 3, 2020 Election Day from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
November 18, 2020 Clermont County GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor at 7 PM.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
I’m encouraging all citizens of Ohio, who care about restoring the rule of law and ending imperial control, to copy and paste the below Private Citizen Affidavit into their own documents. Simply swap out my personal information (name and address) for your own. Change Clermont County to your own county. Change anything else in the document per your discretion. Notarize it. And file it with the criminal division of your county Clerk of Courts in Municipal or similar court. There are no fees and no attorney is required.
The following was written by my attorney, Nick Owens, Esq.
A private citizen affidavit is a statutory process under Ohio law that allows a private citizen to file an affidavit with a reviewing official to seek criminal charges against someone. The law defines a reviewing official as a judge, magistrate, or prosecuting attorney. The statutory right of a private citizen affidavit has been in existence since 1960 and was most recently amended by the Ohio General Assembly in 2006. The filing of a private citizen affidavit is considered a criminal matter and not civil and courts have historically not required the payment of a filing fee.
Many times, a private citizen affidavit is filed with a clerk of courts of a respective court although that is not required. If the private citizen affidavit alleges a felony offense, a reviewing official shall issue a warrant for the arrest of the person unless the affidavit is not filed in good faith or is not meritorious, which courts have interpreted as lacking probable cause. If the affidavit is considered not to be filed in good faith or be meritorious, or lack probable cause the court and/or prosecuting attorney shall investigate the matter.
Probable cause is generally defined as a reasonable ground for suspicion supported by facts and circumstances sufficiently strong to warrant a prudent person to believe that an accused person has committed an offense.
Like many legal procedures in Ohio, clerks, judges/magistrates, and prosecutors consistently handle a private citizen affidavit in different ways. A court hearing is not required under Ohio law after the filing of a private citizen affidavit; however, a court is within their authority to hold a hearing. The filer of a private citizen affidavit may be afforded the opportunity to testify at the hearing but a private citizen is under no obligation to do so. In essence, the private citizen affidavit can speak for itself.
Private Citizen Affidavit filed with the Clermont County Municipal Court on September 28, 2020
PRIVATE CITIZEN AFFIDAVIT pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2935.09(D)
State of Ohio Clermont County, ss:
NAME AND ADDRESS OF WITNESS WHO OBSERVED OFFENSES OR HAS KNOWLEDGE OF THE FACTS CONCERNING IT:
John Becker 925 Locust Lane Cincinnati, Ohio 45245
Your Affiant, John Becker being first sworn, says in good faith and meritoriously that Governor R. Michael DeWine, committed throughout the State of Ohio but specifically in Clermont County, on or about March 16, 2020 until present, the following criminal offenses in violation of the peace and dignity of the State of Ohio:
Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity, Ohio Revised Code 2923.32(A)(1), a felony of the 2nd degree; Complicity, Ohio Revised Code 2923.03(A)(1), a felony of the 2nd degree; Terrorism, Ohio Revised Code 2909.24(A)(1), a felony of the 2nd degree; Making terroristic threat, Ohio Revised Code 2909.23(A)(1)(a), a felony of the 3rd degree; Inducing panic, Ohio Revised Code 2917.31(A)(3), a felony of the 3rd degree; Conspiracy, Ohio Revised Code 2923.01(A)(1), a felony of the 3rd degree; Bribery, Ohio Revised Code 3599.01(A)(2); a felony of the 4th degree; Interfering with civil rights, Ohio Revised Code 2921.45(A), a misdemeanor of the 1st degree; Coercion, Ohio Revised Code 2905.12(A)(5), a misdemeanor of the 2nd degree; and Patient abuse or neglect, Ohio Revised Code 2903.34(A)(3), a misdemeanor of the 2nd degree.
Governor R. Michael DeWine has held the Office of Governor of Ohio since January 14, 2019. Governor Michael DeWine under the color of his office has continuously violated the separation of powers doctrine by directing, allowing, colluding, and/or conspiring with the Ohio Department of Health to issue continuous orders outside the scope of its rulemaking authority, which is tantamount to creating new laws, a duty exclusively reserved to the Ohio General Assembly.
On March 16, 2020, Governor DeWine, during a heavily publicized press conference in solicitation, association, collusion, and in conspiracy with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, without statutory authority unlawfully coerced millions of electors in Ohio to refrain from voting during the March 17, 2020 Presidential Primary Election. Additionally, Governor DeWine solicited Secretary LaRose together with himself to confidently, albeit incorrectly, state that the Presidential Primary Election would be changed from March 17, 2020 to June 2, 2020.
The General Assembly not the Governor is vested with the sole authority to cancel, post-pone, or extend a Presidential Primary, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3501.01(E)(2) as mandated by Article I, Section 4 of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 27 of the Ohio Constitution. During the aforementioned press conference, Governor DeWine stoked fear by recklessly stating the following, “We cannot conduct this election tomorrow.” As a result, Governor DeWine through the color of his office caused serious public inconvenience, alarm, and fear and thus disenfranchised millions of electors of their freedom of choice and constitutional and statutory right to vote in person at their polling location on March 17, 2020. Governor DeWine also coerced electors not to vote in the President Primary Election even after Judge Richard Frye of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas ruled that changing the date of the election was the sole province of the General Assembly.
Further, Governor DeWine under the color of his office and through association and collusion with former Director Amy Acton and Interim Director Lance Himes of the Department of Health ordered through official action the closing and/or restriction of private businesses, which closure orders are beyond the quarantine and isolation powers granted to the Ohio Department of Health by Ohio Revised Code 3701.13. These orders of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity have created public inconvenience, alarm, and fear in the citizens of Ohio by depriving them of their constitutional rights protected under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the Ohio Constitution. These official actions by Governor DeWine have resulted in record-high unemployment, causing not only increased poverty, depression, despair, fear, and suicides, but also the necessity for state and local government budget cuts impacting schools and social programs.
Governor DeWine has also held private businesses and their corresponding licenses hostage through the use of coercion by subordinate government officials to enforce his arbitrary and unlawful orders. Since at least March 2020, over 790,000 individuals have filed for unemployment benefits totaling over $6 billion dollars in economic harm to the taxpayers of Ohio due to these unconstitutional executive and administrative orders. Additionally, thousands of private businesses have been forced to shut down and layoff their employees causing serious public inconvenience, alarm, and fear costing the citizens of Ohio billions of dollars in direct and indirect economic harm due to lost wages and salaries.
Additionally, Governor DeWine has demonstrated grotesque discrimination against the medical health and welfare of the general population of Ohio by denying nonemergency healthcare, by which discrimination resulted in needless fear, suffering, worsening of treatable conditions, increased poverty due to the higher cost of delayed treatment, increased depression, increased despair, and increased suicides. Governor DeWine’s official actions of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, through orders associated with, planned, and enforced by the Department of Health, have caused serious public inconvenience, alarm, and fear. As a result, millions of Ohioans were deprived of their constitutional right to purchase health care under Article I, Section 21 (B) of the Ohio Constitution. Additionally, under threat of credible criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750, Ohioans were prohibited from purchasing healthcare in violation of Article I, Section 21 (C) of the Ohio Constitution.
Due to these executive and administrative orders planned and authorized by Governor DeWine, thousands of individuals, who reside at Ohio government administered healthcare facilities such as skilled nursing homes, have suffered continuous neglect through forced isolation and fear which has exacerbated their already serious medical conditions.
Since at least March 2020 and to present, Governor DeWine has intimidated, coerced, and caused serious public inconvenience, alarm, and fear by unlawfully placing nearly 12 million Ohioans (effectively) under house arrest and to wear facial coverings, subject to government-approved exceptions, thereby violating millions of Ohioan’s legal freedoms of association and civil liberties and due process rights under threat of credible criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750.
According to the Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 10a(D), your Affiant is a victim and “a person against whom the criminal offense or delinquent act is committed or who is directly and proximately harmed by the commission of the offense or act.”
Lastly, since this affidavit charges felony offenses and pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2935.10(A), this court shall “(1) issue a warrant for the arrest of the person charged in the affidavit, or (2) refer the matter to the prosecuting attorney for investigation.” See State v. Fraley, 2020-Ohio-3763, citing State ex rel. Brown v. Nusbaum, 2017-Ohio-9141. Ohio Revised Code 2935.10(A) mandates that this court cannot summarily dismiss the affidavit. See Hicks v. State, 2018-Ohio-5298.
Further Affiant Sayeth Not.
_____________________________ Affiant Signature: John Becker 925 Locust Lane Cincinnati, Ohio 45245
Sworn to and subscribed before me by __________________________ on
the ____________ day of _________________ , 2020.
_____________________________ Notary Public
_______________ County, State of Ohio
My Commission Expires ________________.
Letter to the Clerk of Courts
An accompanying letter of this nature is not required but may be helpful.
September 28, 2020
The Honorable Tim Rudd Clerk of Courts Clermont County Municipal Court 4430 State Route 222 Batavia, Ohio 45103
Dear Clerk Rudd:
I am requesting that you officially file my private citizen affidavit concerning Governor Mike DeWine on the court’s docket and immediately forward it to the Administrative Judge of the Clermont County Municipal Court for its prompt review.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
John Becker 925 Locust Lane Cincinnati, Ohio 45245 513-753-6440 (voice only)
Press Release
This press release was written by me to explain to the public, in plain English, the arguments for each of the charges outlined in the Private Citizen Affidavit.
For Immediate Release: September 28, 2020
State Representative John Becker Announces 10 Criminal Charges Against Governor Mike DeWine Demands Governor DeWine’s Immediate Arrest and Impeachment
UNION TOWNSHIP, CLERMONT COUNTY — State Representative John Becker, acting as a private citizen, has formally filed a Private Citizen Affidavit today in Clermont County Municipal Court per Ohio Revised Code 2935.09(D). The seven felony and three misdemeanor charges are as follows:
1. Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity, Ohio Revised Code 2923.32(A)(1), a felony of the 2nd degree; 2. Complicity, Ohio Revised Code 2923.03(A)(1), a felony of the 2nd degree; 3. Terrorism, Ohio Revised Code 2909.24(A)(1), a felony of the 2nd degree; 4. Making terroristic threat, Ohio Revised Code 2909.23(A)(1)(a), a felony of the 3rd degree; 5. Inducing panic, Ohio Revised Code 2917.31(A)(3), a felony of the 3rd degree; 6. Conspiracy, Ohio Revised Code 2923.01(A)(1), a felony of the 3rd degree; 7. Bribery, Ohio Revised Code 3599.01(A)(2); a felony of the 4th degree; 8. Interfering with civil rights, Ohio Revised Code 2921.45(A), a misdemeanor of the 1st degree; 9. Coercion, Ohio Revised Code 2905.12(A)(5), a misdemeanor of the 2nd degree; and 10. Patient abuse or neglect, Ohio Revised Code 2903.34(A)(3), a misdemeanor of the 2nd degree.
Per Ohio Revised Code 2935.10(A) and supporting case law, the court “…shall forthwith issue a warrant for the arrest of the person charged in the affidavit…” or “…shall forthwith refer the matter to the prosecuting attorney…”
Upon closer examination of 2935.10(A), and because “it charges the commission of a felony,” it is clear that, “unless [the court] has reason to believe that [the Private Citizen Affidavit] was not filed in good faith, or the claim is not meritorious, [the court] shall forthwith issue a warrant for the arrest of the person charged in the affidavit…”
Per case law, the words “good faith” and “meritorious” simply means “probable cause.” Also, per case law, “Probable cause is generally defined as a reasonable ground for suspicion supported by facts and circumstances sufficiently strong to warrant a prudent person to believe that an accused person has committed an offense.”
Therefore, because felony charges are included and because probable cause is abundantly clear and self-evident, the court is required to issue a warrant for the immediate arrest of Governor Mike DeWine.
The arguments for probable cause include but are not limited to the following:
1. Engaging in pattern of corrupt activity, ORC 2923.32(A)(1): Per Ohio Revised Code 2923.31(E), a “pattern of corrupt activity” means “two or more incidents of corrupt activity”; And 2923.31(I)(2) “Conduct constituting any of the following:” (a) “A violation of …2909.23 and 2909.24…” as explained below. 2. Complicity, ORC 2923.03(A)(1): (A) No person, acting with the kind of culpability required for the commission of an offense, shall do any of the following: (1) Solicit or procure another to commit the offense; Per the above statutes, Governor DeWine has “solicited and procured” to commit the offense of “engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity,” et al, by conspiring with his cabinet-level officials such as the Department of Health and the Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control as well as the Ohio Secretary of State and hospital administrators, et al, to promote fear, threaten business licenses, shutter businesses, and illegally cancel an election, etc. 3. Terrorism, ORC 2909.24(A)(1): (A) No person shall commit a specified offense with purpose to do any of the following: (1) Intimidate or coerce a civilian population. Governor DeWine has “intimidated or coerced a civilian population” by promoting fear in multiple ways including but not limited to required social distancing, emphasizing the reporting of irrelevant cumulative Covid cases, color-coded metrics emphasizing “red” areas, and the mandate to wear face coverings, meaning the freedom to worship, freedom to shop, the availability of sports, and the reopening of in-person instruction, etc. 4. Making terroristic threat, ORC 2909.23(A)(1)(a). (A) No person shall threaten to commit or threaten to cause to be committed a specified offense when both of the following apply: (1) The person makes the threat with purpose to do any of the following: (a) Intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (2) As a result of the threat, the person causes a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission of the specified offense. Governor DeWine repeatedly, recklessly, and flagrantly, threatened, “intimidated and coerced a civilian population,” Ohio’s citizens, businesses, healthcare facilities, churches, schools, and operators of voting locations, et al, with “a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent commission” under threat of credible criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750. 5. Inducing panic, ORC 2917.31(A)(3). (A) No person shall cause the evacuation of any public place, or otherwise cause serious public inconvenience or alarm, by doing any of the following: (3) Committing any offense, with reckless disregard of the likelihood that its commission will cause serious public inconvenience or alarm. Governor DeWine caused “serious public inconvenience or alarm” when he illegally cancelled the March 17, 2020 primary election, reported outlandish Covid numbers, mandated face coverings, shut down healthcare facilities to nonessential procedures, and shut down or placed onerous restrictions upon retail establishments, bars, restaurants, etc. 6. Conspiracy, ORC 2923.01(A)(1). (A) No person, with purpose to commit or to promote or facilitate… engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity… (1) With another person or persons, plan or aid in planning the commission of any of the specified offenses. Governor DeWine conspired to “engage in a pattern of corrupt activity.” 7. Bribery, ORC 3599.01(A)(2). (A) No person shall before, during, or after any primary, convention, or election: (2) Attempt by intimidation, coercion, or other unlawful means to induce such delegate or elector to register or refrain from registering or to vote or refrain from voting at a primary, convention, or election for a particular person, question, or issue. Governor DeWine “intimidated, coerced, or by other unlawful means induced electors [voters] to refrain from voting at a primary election.” 8. Interfering with civil rights, Ohio Revised Code 2921.45(A). (A) No public servant, under color of his office, employment, or authority, shall knowingly deprive, or conspire or attempt to deprive any person of a constitutional or statutory right. Governor DeWine recklessly and repeatedly violated civil liberties, “constitutional, and statutory rights” by closing healthcare facilities for nonessential procedures in violation of Article I, section 21 (B) and (C) of the Ohio Constitution to obtain healthcare, closing voting locations (tantamount to cancelling the election) in violation of ORC 3501.01(E)(2) as mandated by Article I, Section 4 of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 27 of the Ohio Constitution and unlawfully placing nearly 12 million Ohioans (effectively) under house arrest and to wear facial coverings, subject to government-approved exceptions, thereby violating millions of Ohioans’ legal freedoms of association and civil liberties and due process rights under threat of credible criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750. 9. Coercion, ORC 2905.12(A)(5). (A) No person, with purpose to coerce another into taking or refraining from action concerning which the other person has a legal freedom of choice, shall do any of the following: (5) Take, withhold, or threaten to take or withhold official action, or cause or threaten to cause official action to be taken or withheld. Governor DeWine illegally, callously, and deliberately, in collusion with others, ordered the closing of healthcare facilities to nonessential procedures, voting locations, bars, et, al and threatened to revoke liquor and other business licenses and under the additional threat of credible criminal prosecution of a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a ninety-day jail sentence and/or a fine of $750. 10. Patient abuse or neglect, ORC 2903.34(A)(3). (A) No person who owns, operates, or administers, or who is an agent or employee of, a care facility shall do any of the following: (3) Commit neglect against a resident or patient of the facility. Governor DeWine promoted fear and demonstrated callous disregard for health and happiness by requiring “neglect against residents or patients of care facilities” by requiring the withholding of the physical love, comfort, and emotional support of family members constituting cruel and unusual punishment.
If the court finds probable cause for at least one of the above felony charges, ORC 2935.10(A) requires that a warrant for Governor DeWine’s arrest must be issued. It is not discretionary. Being as the basic facts surrounding the above charges are not in dispute, probable cause is self-evident; hence, the arrest of Governor DeWine for criminal charges is imminent.
“I never wanted to go down the road of impeachment and certainly never considered criminal charges against Governor DeWine,” Becker said. “The governor simply isn’t getting the message that the people’s liberties need to be respected and a governor has no right to assume imperial and dictatorial powers without regard to any alleged emergency,” Becker continued.
Representative Becker went on to say, “Without criminal charges, many of my colleagues have been reluctant to co-sponsor the articles of impeachment. Therefore, I filed this Private Citizen Affidavit for their benefit and for the benefit of the growing number of Ohioans who have been chanting, ‘LOCK HIM UP! LOCK HIM UP!’”
The articles of impeachment are still open for additional co-sponsors and can be found at ImpeachDeWine.com.
Becker added, “When Governor DeWine is arrested, I sincerely hope that he is wearing a mask and doesn’t get tasered before being dragged off to jail like the Marietta football mom in Logan. I don’t want him victimized as his policies have victimized others.”
Representative Becker emphasized that he is taking this action, as a private citizen, to serve as an example for every Ohioan to do the same thing in their respective county. “Although an attorney is not necessary for an Ohioan to file a Private Citizen Affidavit in their local municipal, county, or area court, I chose to engage legal counsel to provide a template that the public could use anywhere in Ohio,” Becker said.
The Private Citizen Affidavit can be found at ImpeachDeWine.com. Becker explained that, “Anybody can download it, change the name, address, and court information to their own and get it notarized before filing with their local Clerk of Court’s office. They can also feel free to change anything in the Affidavit at their own discretion.”
Becker concluded with the following statement: “My sincere wish is for Governor DeWine to resign immediately, enjoy a long, healthy, and happy retirement in Cedarville, and allow the people of Ohio to restore their freedoms and their lives.”
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Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been incorporated into HB 674 and requires no further action. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned to the State and Local Government committee. HB 674 – Revises alcohol laws. Brett Hillyer and I teamed up to get this passed. The bill incorporates HB 219 (SALES) and other reforms. It passed the Ohio House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Frank Hoagland. HB 753 – Creates a new negligent assault offense. This bill is named “Parker’s Law” and is for a little boy that was injured by an adult.
Note that all dates, times, and locations are subject to change.
October 5, 2020 Union Township Republican GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor at 7 PM.
October 21, 2020 Clermont County GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor at 7 PM.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
After all other avenues have been exhausted, it is finally time to turn to the last resort – Impeachment. Many believe that it hasn’t come soon enough.
Governor DeWine has violated the Ohio and United States Constitutions, as well as multiple sections of the Ohio Revised Code. Among his abuses of power, he meddled in the conduct of a presidential primary election and arbitrarily closed certain businesses, while allowing other businesses to remain open. He later instituted a statewide mask mandate, implementing that requirement as a condition of employment, making Ohio a hostile work environment. The mandate also extended to congregants at places of worship, forcing citizens to choose between worshipping their God and worshipping at the altar of unbridled government. Many Ohioans find the mask mandate offensive, degrading, humiliating, and insulting. There is also evidence that masks can be hazardous to one’s health. Gov. DeWine doubled down when he expanded the mandate to our school-age children, who are less susceptible to COVID-19.
I kept holding out hope that we wouldn’t get to this place. For months and months, I’ve been hearing the cries of my constituents and of suffering people from every corner of Ohio. They keep screaming, “DO SOMETHING!” They are hurting. Their businesses are declining and depreciating. Their jobs have vanished. The communities that have sustained their lives are collapsing, and becoming shells of what they once were. Living in fear, many have turned to drugs and yes, even suicide, to end or tolerate the unbearable pain inflicted by the governor upon their livelihoods, and the damage caused by his unraveling of the fabric of Ohio. It is long past time to put an end to government gone wild.
With deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 flattened, the Governor continues to press his boot on the throat of Ohio’s economy. Due to the unilateral actions of Governor DeWine, a growing number of businesses have failed and continue to fail. Millions of frustrated, exasperated, and suffering Ohioans are relying on the General Assembly to take control and end their government-driven affliction.
Polling – Does the general public support impeaching Governor DeWine?
According to a Columbus ABC6/Fox28 poll, 83% of the 18,420 participates voted to impeach Governor DeWine. As of this writing, the MahoningMatters.com poll shows 73% to impeach DeWine as of this writing. If it’s still open. Vote at MahoningMatters.com. A Vindy.com poll showed 72% support to impeach DeWine. Other polls are also showing high support for impeachment. This one appears to still be open: strawpoll.me/20825770 and is at 93% support for impeachment as of this writing.
Who is supporting DeWine?
The establishment (swamp) obviously; but based on my read of the calls and emails from DeWine’s supporters, the common theme is that they hate me and they hate President Trump. They are nearly all Democrats, never Trumpers, and liberal Republicans. Conservatives and liberty loving Ohioans appear to overwhelmingly be in favor of impeachment.
What are Governor DeWine’s supporters saying? Are they wrong?
Governor DeWine’s supporters claim that he is saving lives. He’s listening to the health professionals and he’s following the science. If you net out the suicides, depression, and despair from isolation and loneliness that Governor DeWine’s policies have caused, many would argue that his policy prescriptions have been counterproductive. Governor DeWine’s “cure” has been much worse than the disease.
Some State Representatives are arguing that impeachment is the last resort and that we need to try to work with the governor legislatively.
Well, how has that been working out so far?
Has the Senate scheduled a veto override vote for SB 55? It reduces the draconian penalties for violating the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) orders.
Has the Senate scheduled a conference committee hearing for SB 1 that the governor has promised to veto? It allows ODH orders to stay in place for 14 days unless the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) approves an extension.
Are enough votes available in either chamber to override any veto?
What about the governor’s promise to veto any bill, such as HB 618, that limits the power that’s he’s been abusing?
Nothing has worked. Impeachment is the next step. It only requires 50 of 99 votes in the House and then 22 of 33 in the Senate for removal from office.
Is this really the priority that the legislature should be working on?
Yes. We are a government of the people by the people for the people and we need to take that responsibility seriously. If we don’t support the constitution and the rule of law, then the foundation of our government is at stake.
Does impeaching a governor create a constitutional crisis?
The process of impeachment is clearly explained in Article II, Sections 23 and 24 of the Ohio Constitution.
The house of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment, but a majority of the members elected must concur therein. Impeachments shall be tried by the senate; and the senators, when sitting for that purpose, shall be upon oath or affirmation to do justice according to law and evidence. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators.
Ohio Constitution Article II, Section 23
The governor, judges, and all state officers, may be impeached for any misdemeanor in office; but judgment shall not extend further than removal from office, and disqualification to hold any office under the authority of this state. The party impeached, whether convicted or not, shall be liable to indictment, trial, and judgment, according to law.
Ohio Constitution Article II, Section 24
Huh? Impeachment can only be for misdemeanors??? What about felonies?
Felonies are also impeachable. Additionally, simple incompetence is impeachable. To understand this, the definition of “misdemeanor” must be understood in the context of the times in which it was written. Let’s examine how “misdemeanor” was defined in the 19th century:
MISDEME’ANOR, noun: Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault; mismanagement. 1. In law, an offense of a less atrocious nature than a crime. Crimes and misdemeanors are mere synonymous terms; but in common usage, the word crime is made to denote offenses of a deeper and more atrocious dye, while small faults and omissions of less consequence are comprised under the gentler name of misdemeanors.
Webster’s 1828 dictionary
The constitutional process of impeachment does not create a constitutional crisis. It solves one.
Okay. What creates a constitutional crisis?
A constitutional crisis is when a governor cancels an election under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
Governor DeWine conceded that he did not have the authority to cancel an election. He argues that he didn’t cancel the election. He simply ordered all of the polling locations closed statewide so that nobody could vote. And that’s different in what way?
A constitutional crisis is when a governor reschedules an election.
He argues that he didn’t reschedule the election. He simply scheduled what day polling locations could open statewide for people to vote. And that’s different in what way?
A constitutional crisis is when a governor places nearly 12 million Ohioans under 24/7 house arrest (with a list of government approved exceptions) under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor assumes dictatorial powers.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor violates the separation of powers doctrine by creating new law via the Ohio Department of Health.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor arbitrarily and capriciously picks winners and losers amongst businesses and decides which ones can operate at what capacity and what business hours under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor prohibits hospitals, doctors, dentists, et al from treating patients for elective and preventive care under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor orders schools to close without regard to the authority of the state school board under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor orders the general public to wear face coverings without regard to civil liberties under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor orders congregants in houses of worship to wear face coverings under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor holds business licenses hostage and requires employees to wear face coverings hence creating a hostile work environment and under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when a governor violates the commerce clause of the US Constitution by prohibiting the people of Pennsylvania from purchasing liquor in Ohio under threat of criminal charges up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
A constitutional crisis is when the General Assembly commits nonfeasance by failing to impeach a governor for multiple crimes including violations of the US and Ohio Constitutions.
A constitutional crisis is when the General Assembly commits nonfeasance by failing to impeach a governor for multiple transgressions of misfeasance and malfeasance in office.
What crimes has Governor DeWine committed?
I don’t have an exhaustive list, but the following is enough to get started:
A violation of civil rights is a crime according to Ohio Revised Code 2921.45. Arguably, Governor DeWine has violated ORC 2921.45 multiple times.
(A) No public servant, under color of his office, employment, or authority, shall knowingly deprive, or conspire or attempt to deprive any person of a constitutional or statutory right. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of interfering with civil rights, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Ohio Revised Code 2921.45
Cancelling the March 17, 2020 election violated ORC 3501.01.
…In years in which a presidential primary election is held, all primary elections shall be held on the third Tuesday after the first Monday in March except as otherwise authorized by a municipal or county charter.
Ohio Revised Code 3501.01 (E) (2)
Likewise, rescheduling the illegally cancelled election to June 2, 2020 was the second violation of ORC 3501.01.
What about the politics of impeaching Governor DeWine? Where does the Ohio Republican Party stand?
It is despicable that anyone who considers themself to be conservative would make an attempt to impeach Governor DeWine.
Ohio Republican Party Chairman, Jane Timken
Unfortunately, this sounds familiar. Remember when Hillary Clinton called Trump supporters “deplorable”? And now conservatives who stand up for the rule of law, for liberty, and against tyranny are “despicable.” We’ll, it appears that the Ohio Republican Party believes that quoting Daffy Duck and insulting the conservative base of the Party will help to get our Republican candidates elected in November. I hope that works out.
Some have argued that the Articles of Impeachment should have waited until after the election to maintain Party unity.
The people I’ve been hearing from aren’t thinking about politics when they’ve lost their jobs or when their businesses have failed because of Governor DeWine. My answer to the people making that argument is to:
Tell that to the hurting people who have just lost a family member to suicide because of the depression, despair, and loneliness that Governor DeWine has inflicted upon them.
Tell that to the people who have invested their life savings and their heart and soul into a business that Governor DeWine put out of business.
Tell that to the million or so Ohioans who have lost their jobs and suffered the additional indignity of being unable to reach the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to handle their unemployment claims.
Tell them all to just hang in there for a few more months until we get this election behind us.
Yeah, let me know how that works out.
Furthermore, maybe the people making that argument should consider why so many people hate politics, hate politicians, and hate the establishment (swamp).
Okay, Becker. The swamp creatures claim that you are only doing this for your own political benefit.
Well, I’m in my fourth and final term as a State Representative. Term limits prevented me from running again. My name is not on the ballot this November. My largest donor let me know that he isn’t happy. Another big name donor in Clermont County told me to never reach out to him again. Help me to understand how this is helping me politically.
Give us the bottom line. What is this all about?
It’s about the hurting people of Ohio. It’s about my constituents begging me to DO SOMETHING! It’s about liberty versus tyranny. It’s about the rule of law. It’s about a State Representative stepping up to end the madness and restore a (small r) republican form of government. Although it’s too late for many, it’s about time for the people to take back their government. That’s what this is all about.
Okay. That’s all fine and good, but the Speaker has made it clear that he does not support any impeachment effort.
That’s why it is imperative that the people get involved and become engaged in the process. When politicians fail to see the light, they can feel the heat. If in large numbers, the citizenry, forcefully and relentlessly, puts pressure on their State Representatives, then change can happen. It is up to the people of the great state of Ohio to take back their government. They can start by visiting ImpeachDeWine.com.
Articles of Impeachment – Summary
The Articles of Impeachment can be found at ImpeachDeWine.com. The below is a quick summary:
Preamble The preamble sets the stage. It explains some history, definitions, and the constitutional references for impeachment. In my opinion, it is the most interesting part of the document.
Article I The first article is about one-man rule and the separation of powers doctrine.
Article II Governor DeWine illegally cancelled the March 17, 2020 election.
Article III Governor DeWine illegally rescheduled the March 17, 2020 election to June 2, 2020.
Article IV This article is about illegally, arbitrarily, and capriciously shutting down businesses and healthcare facilities.
Article V Article V is for illegally shutting down schools, requiring face coverings and due process.
Article VI This has to do with incompetence with regard to acting on wildly inaccurate COVID-19 forecasts. Yes, incompetence is an impeachable offense. See the preamble.
Article VII This article is mostly for illegally placing nearly 12 million Ohioans under house arrest, due process, and violating ORC 2921.45.
Article VIII Article VIII is for illegally violating the free exercise of religion and threatening worshipers with a penalty of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine for attending religious services without a face covering.
Article IX Governor DeWine illegally violated civil liberties by requiring the general public to wear face coverings and made Ohio a hostile work environment.
Article X This article is because Governor DeWine illegally prohibited the people of Pennsylvania from purchasing liquor in Ohio. This violates the commerce clause.
Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been incorporated into HB 674 and requires no further action. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned to the State and Local Government committee. HB 674 – Revises alcohol laws. Brett Hillyer and I teamed up to get this passed. The bill incorporates HB 219 (SALES) and other reforms. It passed the Ohio House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Frank Hoagland.
September 8, 2020 Union Township Republican GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor at 7 PM.
September 16, 2020 Clermont County GOP meeting at an undetermined time and location.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
Congratulations to the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, Bob Cupp!
How did that happen?
On July 30, 2020, the Ohio House of Representatives voted to fire Larry Householder from the position of Speaker but not fire him as a State Representative. That will be up to his voters. Leading up to that event, five candidates stepped up to become the new Speaker. Those candidates were Representatives Bob Cupp, Jim Butler, Tim Ginter, Craig Riedel, and Rick Carfagna. Each of those last three candidates dropped out of the Speaker’s race and endorsed Bob Cupp. The Ohio House of Representatives (99 members – although not all present) met at 10:00 AM to fire Larry Householder and declare the Speaker’s chair open. At 1:30 PM, the Republican caucus (59 of the 61 total Republican State Representatives) met in a private caucus room for a closed door meeting and a secret ballot vote. The choice was Bob Cupp or Jim Butler. The caucus rule and tradition is for a majority of the full caucus (31 of 61 members) to determine a winner and then vote unanimously for that person on the House floor. Neither candidate won 31 votes. With two members missing, the secret ballot vote was 30 to 29. Not knowing which candidate was leading, we held a second secret ballot vote to change the rule and to anoint the candidate with 30 votes as the Republican caucus winner to be Speaker. That person was revealed as Bob Cupp. The next step was to go back into official House session for the ceremonial public nomination from the House floor for Bob Cupp. No other candidates were nominated. Bob Cupp officially ran unopposed but still needed 50 votes to “win.” He got them and is now the new Speaker. Had he not gotten the 50 votes on the house floor, additional rounds of voting would have occurred until the 11th round. That’s when a plurality becomes the winning number. Considering that Bob Cupp was the only candidate, he would have only needed one vote in the 11th round of voting. Therefore, it was a done deal either way.
Okay Becker. Who did you vote for?
Before I ever considered voting for Jim Butler, I outlined the qualifications that I believed were paramount:
Pro-Life.
Pro-Second Amendment Rights.
Fiscal and social conservative.
A person who could support, defend, and promote the Christian conservative values of Southern Ohio.
Term Limited so that the new crop of legislators could pick their own Speaker in January.
The gravitas to lead the chamber and our candidates to victory in November.
After considering all of that, Speaker Pro Tempore, Jim Butler, was the obvious choice. But I didn’t know if he was interested. He was. He and four other candidates eventually materialized. Of those five, it was a no-brainer. Jim Butler was my candidate to be Speaker. I voted for Jim Butler in the secret ballot private caucus meeting of the Republican House members. He lost to Bob Cupp by one vote. On the House floor, Bob Cupp was the only nominee for the position. He officially ran unopposed. I, like nearly all members of “Team Butler,” voted for Bob Cupp as our official on the record vote. A few Republicans joined the Democrats and voted no. For me (and nearly all of “Team Butler”), it was just a matter of accepting the results and moving on.
Is the former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, Larry Householder, a Crook?
This is what I want to believe
I want to believe that Larry Householder is not corrupt and would never engage in illegal activities. I want to believe that Larry Householder is an honorable man. I want to believe that Larry Householder is above reproach. I want to believe that Larry Householder will be exonerated of all charges against him. However, based on my reading of the 81 page affidavit, I have to believe that the indictment was inevitable. It is because of that, I believe that Larry Householder could no longer effectively lead the Ohio House of Representatives. That is why I was among the first to publicly call for his immediate resignation.
Becker Press Release regarding Speaker Larry Householder
For Immediate Release July 22, 2020 State Representative John Becker Calls for the Immediate Resignation of Speaker Larry Householder He needs to fully concentrate on responding to these charges COLUMBUS – State Representative John Becker (R-Union Township, Clermont County) made the following statement:
I believe in the rule of law. I believe that all accused retain their innocence until proven guilty. Justice demands that the facts see the light of day. While I hope for the exoneration of Speaker Larry Householder, if I were the one facing such serious charges, I would resign and believe that he should do the same. Yes, due to the federal affidavit unsealed yesterday, I’m calling on the immediate resignation of my friend, Speaker Householder, from the Ohio House of Representatives so that he can fully concentrate on defending himself against the charges.
I’ve known Speaker Householder since January 2017 when he and I became seat mates in the Ohio House chamber. As we developed a friendship, he gained my trust, respect, and support.
Furthermore, he and I have had a number of one-on-one frank discussions. At no time did I ever have any reason to suspect that he would do anything to skirt the law. Additionally, I’ve never detected even the slightest hint of impropriety in his efforts to serve Ohioans.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio has laid out an extensively-researched, very detailed affidavit. If the allegations are true, I sincerely hope that a fair trial is held, the Speaker is remorseful for his actions, and that justice is served regarding the very serious allegations against the Speaker.
The Ohio House of Representatives must resume the important work of reopening society in Ohio, restoring trust in our public officials, and regaining the hope that the sun will rise on a bright future.
Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been incorporated into HB 674 and requires no further action. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned to the State and Local Government committee. HB 674 – Revises alcohol laws. Brett Hillyer and I teamed up to get this passed. The bill incorporates HB 219 (SALES) and other reforms. It passed the Ohio House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Frank Hoagland.
August 3, 2020 Union Township Republican GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor at 7 PM.
August 19, 2020 Tentative Clermont County GOP meeting at an undetermined time and location.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
Black Lives Matter (BLM): The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Good
It is good that attention has been drawn to the need for police to maintain order and a functioning society. Police reforms are needed where over-policing occurs and bad cops should be rooted out.
The Bad
The current civil unrest and calls for racial justice occurred after the death of George Floyd. There is no indication, evidence, or any allegations that his death was racially motivated or that race was even a factor. Only the cop involved knows what he was thinking at the time. Nobody else does. Regardless of skin tone or race, no cop (or anybody else) has, or should have, the authority to play judge, jury, and executioner. I, like everybody else, was appalled by what I saw on that video. I certainly don’t have all the facts, but how can a man who is laying on his belly, cuffed “require” a knee in his throat until he takes his last breath? The nation is justifiably aghast.
Are the protests and riots justified? How often do cops kill black people? What are the statistics? According to this Breitbart story, the Washington Post is the repository for the statistics on police shootings. It’s an interesting read. An explanation and analysis of those statistics are in this Tucker Carlson clip. A (less than perfect) transcript beginning at about 9 minutes and 30 seconds is as follows:
Last year, the Post logged a total of 1,004 killings. Of the 802 shootings in which the race of the police officer and the suspect was noted, 371 of those killed were white. 236 were black. The vast majority of those killed were not in fact unarmed. The vast majority were armed, and African-American suspects were significantly more likely to have a deadly weapon than white suspects. Yet more white suspects were killed. Overall, there were a total of precisely 10 cases in the US last year, according the Washington Post, in which unarmed African-Americans were fatally shot by the police. There were nine men and one woman. As we said, a lot is at stake. The country is at stake. We want to take the time now to go through these case by case, into the specifics. 1) Channara Tom Pheap: According to Knoxville Police Officer Dylan Williams, Pheap attacked him, choked him, and then used a TASER on him (suspect on the police officer) before the officer shot him. Five eyewitnesses corroborated the officer’s claim. The officer was not charged. 2) Marcus McVae: Was, by any description, a career criminal from San Angelo, Texas. He’d been convicted of aggravated assault, assault on a public servant, and organized criminal activity. At the time he was killed, he was wanted on drug dealing charges, which is why the state trooper pulled him over. McVeigh fled in his car, then he fled on foot into the woods. There, he fought with the trooper and was shot and killed. The officer was not charged in the case. 3) Marzeus Scott: Assaulted a shop employee. When a female officer arrived and ordered the suspect toward her car, he instead charged her and knocked her to the ground. At that point, she shot and killed him. The entire incident was caught on body camera. The officer was not charged. 4) Ryan Twyman: Was being approached by two LA County Deputies when he backed into one of them with his vehicle. The deputy was caught in the car door. He and his partner opened fire. The deputies were not charged in that case. 5) Melvin Watkins: Shot by a deputy after he allegedly drove his car toward the deputy at high speed. The deputy was not charged. 6) Isaiah Lewis: He wasn’t just unarmed, he was completely naked. Lewis broke into a house and attacked a police officer. The police TASE’d Lewis, but he kept coming at them and attacking. The officer shot him. They were not charged. 7) Atatiana Jefferson: Shot by a Fort Worth officer named Aaron Dean. A neighbor had called a non-emergency number after seeing Jefferson’s door open, thinking something might be wrong. Police arrived, Jefferson saw them approach from a window, and was holding a gun at the time. According to body camera footage, the officer shot Jefferson within seconds. That officer has been charged with homicide. 8) Christopher Whitfield: Shot and killed in a place called Ethel, Louisiana. He’d robbed a gas station. Deputy Glenn Sims said his gun discharged accidentally while grappling with Whitfield. Sims, who is black himself, was not charged in that killing. 9) Kevin Mason: Shot by police during a multi-hour standoff. While Mason turned out not to have a gun, Mason claimed to have a gun, claimed to be armed, and vowed to kill police with it. They believed him. Mason had been in a shootout with police years before. 10) Gregory Griffin: Shot during a car chase. An officer named Giovanni Crespo claimed he saw someone pointing a gun at him. Later a gun was in fact found inside the vehicle, and yet officer Crespo was charged anyway with aggravated manslaughter.
Those are the facts. That is the entire list from 2019- last year- 10 deaths. In five deaths, an officer was attacked just before the shooting occurred. That is not disputed. One allegedly was an accident. That leaves a total of four deaths during a pursuit or in a standoff. Out of four, in two of those cases- in fully half- the officer was criminally charged. Is it possible that more of these officers should have been charged? Of course it’s possible, justice is not always served. That’s for sure. Either way, this is a very small number in a country of 325 million people. This is not genocide. It’s not even close to genocide. It’s laughable to suggest it is. In fact, the number of police killings is dropping. In 2015 during Barack Obama’s presidency, 38 unarmed black Americans and 32 whites were slain by police. Overall, totals have fallen since then, and they have fallen far more dramatically for African American men. Last year was the safest year for unarmed suspects since the Washington Post began tracking police shootings. It was the safest year for both white and black suspects. At the same time, this country remains a dangerous place for police officers. 48 of them were murdered in 2019, according to FBI data. That’s more than the number of unarmed suspects killed of all races. One final number for you, because it matters: in 2018, 7,407 African Americans were murdered in the United States. If 2019 continues on a similar trajectory- and we hope it doesn’t. If it does, that would mean that for every unarmed African American shot to death in the United States by police, more than 700 were murdered by someone else, usually by someone they know. Again, those are the facts. They are not in dispute. Are African Americans being hunted, as Joy Reid recklessly claimed on MSNBC recently? Or is something else happening? Is our nation being ripped apart by a total and complete lie- a provable lie- a lie used by cynical media manipulators and unscrupulous politicians who understand that racial strife- race hatred- is their path to power, even if it destroys the country? You have the facts now, and you can decide what’s really going on.
We are Abolitionist: We believe that prisons, police and all other institutions that inflict violence on Black people must be abolished and replaced by institutions that value and affirm the flourishing of Black lives. We believe in centering the experiences and leadership of the most marginalized Black people, including but not limited to those who are trans and queer, women and femmes, currently and formerly incarcerated, immigrants, disabled, working class, and poor. We believe in transformation and a radical realignment of power: The current systems we live inside of need to be radically transformed, which includes a realignment of global power. We are creating a proactive, movement-based vision instead of a reactionary one. We build kinship with one another: We draw from political lessons, grow in our leadership, and expanding our base to build a stronger movement. We are anti-capitalist: We believe and understand that Black people will never achieve liberation under the current global racialized capitalist system.
We are self-reflexive and do the work required to dismantle cisgender privilege and uplift Black trans folk, especially Black trans women who continue to be disproportionately impacted by trans-antagonistic violence. We build a space that affirms Black women and is free from sexism, misogyny, and environments in which men are centered. We practice empathy. We engage comrades with the intent to learn about and connect with their contexts. We make our spaces family-friendly and enable parents to fully participate with their children. We dismantle the patriarchal practice that requires mothers to work “double shifts” so that they can mother in private even as they participate in public justice work. We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable. We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise).
There is a lot there to comment on, but it largely explains the problem rather than the solution. The ticket out of and/or to avoid poverty is to finish high school, get married, stay married, and then have children; in that sequence. A livable wage is earned commensurate with a skillset. Vocational education is a low cost way to acquire skills in high demand by the building trades. None of what I’m describing is race specific or requires any so-called social justice. Maybe I should be more blunt: Keep your pants on, stay out of trouble, stay in school, and learn a trade. That simple formula is the basis for avoiding poverty and becoming economically successful.
Who are the racists?
All of us are biased and prejudiced to one extent or another. Stereotypes exist for a reason. The best among us are able to recognize all of that, set it aside, and give people the benefit of the doubt based on the evidence at hand.
Will Becker become “Woke”???
I had to look up the word to find out what that means: “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).” (BTW, this is a must watch 5-minute video on Social Justice.) So, will Becker become “Woke”? Yes!!! I’m very much looking forward to meeting with whoever can help me become “woke.” I’ve taken the initiative to reach out to multiple people to help me with that. And I’ll continue to reach out to them and others. I’ve always said that I’m willing to meet with anybody on any topic. (And I’ve had some “interesting” meetings.) I’ve met with many policy opponents who have helped me to understand their point of view. I love that! Although nobody has ever convinced me to adopt a liberal position on any topic, I’ve gained respect for their point of views after those meetings. I’ve generally found them to be good people who mean well. We simply come from different backgrounds, have different life experiences, different world views, and different constituencies. And that’s okay. We can learn from each other, respect each other, disagree, and still be friends. I’m okay with that. Being graceful and empathetic is never a bad thing.
Will Becker “take a knee”?
I will not “take a knee” against America during the National Anthem or any other time. Furthermore, I will not bow down to terrorists, arsonists, cop killers, thugs, vandals, looters, anarchists, socialist, communists, or anybody else who hates America. I hope I’ve made myself clear.
Reparations
Both sides of my family came from Germany in the 1800s. Does that make me a German-American? No. I’m a full-blooded American. Regardless, both WWI and WWII were fought against the Germans, et. al. Since discrimination may have occurred against some of my ancestors during those wars, does that qualify me for reparations? No. Living in, and being a citizen of, this country is a great honor. Our republic is a representative form of government. Rule of law, and equal opportunity for all, is second to none. Despite the flaws of our nation and every human being, I am, and always have been, a proud American. Period!
Defund/Disband the Police?
Argument for Yes: If we limited the experiment to Minneapolis, the nation would witness the results of anarchy, warlords, and gang rule. Businesses and residents would be forced to pay for protection or suffer the consequences. If “street justice” is what the citizens of Minneapolis want, then they can have the mob rule that they deserve. Argument for No: As a fellow American, it would be horrifying to watch one of our cities descend into anarchy and mob rule. Police protection is essential to liberty and maintaining law and order. Only a liberal could come up with such a stupid idea.
Maliciously tear down statues and destroy the past?
Well, if I were a Democrat and the Party of segregationists, KKK, George Wallace, and slave owners, I too would be ashamed of my past. At least they have the decency to be embarrassed by their history. Conversely, the Republican Party has always been the Party of freedom, civil rights, liberty, and equal opportunity for all. Regardless, elected officials and their appointees decide what statues go where. Anarchy, vigilantism, and hate-filled mobs, are just that. Elected officials and law enforcement are derelict in their duties by allowing mob rule.
US Supreme Court continues to undermine the republic.
Without regard to how you feel about the issues decided by the high Court, the problem is that they operate outside of the law. In their minds, the law is whatever they say it is. And unfortunately, they’re right. We the people, have the government we deserve. The judicial branch was never intended to be the policy making body of the United States nor were they ever intended to have veto power over the executive branch, legislative branch, nor the states. These are unconstitutional powers that the judiciary granted to themselves. See Bill Federer’s June 26, 2020 American Minute.
Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been incorporated into HB 674 and requires no further action. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned to the State and Local Government committee. HB 674 – Revises alcohol laws. Brett Hillyer and I teamed up to get this passed. The bill incorporates HB 219 (SALES) and other reforms. It passed the Ohio House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Frank Hoagland.
July 13, 2020 2020 Clermont Chamber Salute to Leaders at the Oasis beginning at 5:30 PM.
July 29, 2020 2020 Clermont Chamber Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner at the Oasis beginning at 5:30 PM.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“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).
Did this newsletter get sent to you by someone other than me? If so, please let me know at John@BeckerGOP.com and I will add you to my distribution list. That will ensure that you get it in a timelier manner. You may also forward this to your friends. Let me know if you would like to unsubscribe. This issue and back issues are available at: www.BeckerGOP.com.
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?
Peaceful Protests, Riots, and “Black Jobs Matter” – Huh?
I first saw a Columbus protest video early Thursday evening (May 28, 2020). My initial thought was that it was another economic protest against Governor DeWine’s policies resulting in a record 26.2 percent unemployment rate. (Btw, the first video I saw was a mostly white and peaceful crowd.) Later, I saw a peaceful protester holding a banner that (at a glance) I thought said, “Black Jobs Matter.” All of that made sense to me until the videos surfaced of the violent thugs destroying property and looting businesses. (Kudos to the Columbus police and the Ohio Highway Patrol for their great work considering the resources that they had.) It appears that the results of Governor DeWine’s policies were a contributing, rather than primary, factor fueling the civil unrest. I ask that all Ohioans pray for the families of the deceased as well as the innocent victims of the violence and the circumstances that ignited it.
Becker for Governor in 2022???
It is humbling that so many people have asked me to run for governor and to restore conservative Republican leadership to the executive office. (Now that I’m thinking about it, “restore” might not be the right word. I don’t know that we’ve ever had a conservative governor in Ohio; at least not in recent history. Regardless, I’m not giving it any serious consideration at this time. But, I’m a never say never kind of guy. Don’t expect any announcements anytime soon. I’m just as frustrated as my constituents and agree that a major change is necessary. I’m looking forward to somebody stepping up to demand an end to the madness and get Ohio’s economy and social events back on track.
How would “Governor Becker” have handled the COVID-19 situation?
I would have done many of the same things Governor DeWine did such as keeping people informed and encouraging the vulnerable (high risk groups) to take appropriate precautions. However, I would not have:
Hired Department of Health Director, Amy Acton. (She’s a pro-abortion Obama former campaign operative.)
Illegally canceled an election (especially hours before the polls were scheduled to open).
Illegally conspired with the Secretary of State to set a new election date. (This is the exclusive domain of the General Assembly.)
Illegally ordered the shutdown of the schools. (This is the exclusive domain of the state school board.)
Ordered every citizen and resident of Ohio to be under 24/7 house arrest (with a list of exceptions) under penalty of a second degree misdemeanor. (It carries a 90 day jail sentence and a $750 fine.)
Unconstitutionally suspended civil liberties.
Ordered hospitals, doctor’s offices, dentists, etc. to refuse patient care. (This has resulted in needless suffering, worsening of treatable conditions, and unnecessary reliance on opiates to mask treatable pain.)
Ordered the shutdown of businesses. (This has resulted in massive unemployment, increased poverty, increased depression, increased despair, and increased suicides. Additionally, necessary state budget cuts will impact schools and social programs when they’re needed most.)
Ordered that all employees of all businesses must suffer the indignity of wearing a mask. (On that topic, I support allowing those employees to quit their job and then collect unemployment benefits. It’s unconscionable to require all workers in all businesses to wear a mask as a condition of employment. This is a variation of Right-to-Work that I also support.)
House Bill 618: Need Ohio Working – (NOW) Act
HB 618 calls for the immediate reopening of Ohio by modifying all past, present, and future orders of the governor and/or the Department of Health. It makes those orders advisory rather than mandatory unless those orders are first approved by the general assembly. With the exception of doing something stupid like shutting down an election the night before, the authority of local health departments is unchanged. Therefore, in an emergency, local departments could swiftly act, with the force of law, to implement whatever controls they feel are necessary.
Had HB 618 been in effect at the beginning of this year, the following would have occurred:
Department of Health Director, Amy Acton’s and/or Governor DeWine’s orders would only be advisory unless first approved by the General Assembly.
The polling locations would not have been closed anywhere in the state.
Local boards of health may have taken action within their jurisdictions to “flatten the curve” without flattening the economy and unraveling the fabric of Ohio.
Rather than a wrecking ball applied to every square inch of Ohio, local jurisdictions would have taken a measured approach where needed.
The only pushback I’ve gotten regarding HB 618 is; what if the general assembly can’t meet because of the emergency? I have two answers to that: 1) People are smart enough to follow “strong recommendations” out of Columbus in an emergency assuming that the emergency is real. If the General Assembly can’t meet because of the emergency; it’s real. 2) The authority of local health departments is unchanged (with the exception of doing something stupid like shutting down an election the night before). Therefore, they are free to take any action necessary, with the force of law, within their jurisdictions.
To mask, or not to mask, that is the question:
Some believe that wearing a mask helps to protect themselves from viruses. Some believe that wearing a mask helps to protect others. Some believe that wearing a mask is prudent and simply the right thing to do. Some believe that wearing a mask gives people a feeling of moral superiority; that they care more and that all others are selfish. Some believe that those who wear masks are moral narcissists. Some believe that wearing a mask promotes fear and control. Some believe that the requirement to wear a mask is insulting, degrading, humiliating, and an infringement of civil liberties.
Democrats laugh at Governor DeWine behind his back while Republicans roll their eyes
The Democrat legislators have been playing brilliant politics by standing by Governor DeWine as he destroys Ohio’s economy. They are fueling the fear by unanimously wearing masks to show how dangerous they believe the health “crisis” is. They will soon shift their message to: “Look how the Republicans have destroyed Ohio’s economy and the fabric of Ohio’s society. Vote Democrat to restore order and get Ohio back on track.” Conversely, the Republican rallying message will be: “Vote Republican. We suck less.” Although that statement remains true, it is unfortunately beginning to ring hollow.
Becker Bills in the Ohio House of Representatives
HR 55 – Build the Wall. This resolution urging congress to fund a physical barrier across the southern border has been assigned to the Transportation Committee and has had one hearing. HB 39 – Replica Vehicles. John Patterson asked me to do this bipartisan bill with him. It creates a special category for these unique vehicles. It is in the Transportation Committee. HB 153 – Working Officials Requirements Key (WORK) Act. This bill requires county elected officials to show up at their office at least five times every 30 days. It is in the State and Local Government Committee and has had two hearings. HB 176 – Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus. This is a bill I’m doing with Tom Brinkman. It requires open records. HB 182 – Abortion Insurance Coverage. The bill stops insurance companies from paying for abortions. It does not apply to self-insured private companies nor does it prevent any company from directly contracting with an abortionist. It has been assigned to the Insurance Committee and has had its first hearing. HB 219 – Sunday Alcohol, Liquor, and Especially Spirits Act (SALES). I’m doing this bill with Representative Jim Hoops. In short, HB 219 removes the Sunday option. All businesses currently allowed to sell alcohol during the week will also be allowed Sunday sales. Voters retain the option to vote their precinct dry. It has been assigned to the Commerce & Labor Committee and has had multiple hearings. HB 389 – Allows nonprofit organizations to give away alcohol for fundraising purposes. John Rogers reached out to me to do this bipartisan bill. It simply legalizes the common practice of churches raffling off booze at fundraisers. HB 505 – Restores local control for zoning authority of halfway houses. This is a bipartisan bill. Representative Crossman asked to be part of it. HB 538 – Human Life Protection Act – Upon the reversal of Roe v. Wade, Ohio becomes a pro-life state. HB 618 – Need Ohio Working – (NOW) – This bill reopens Ohio for business and prevents the abuse of power from happening again. It has been assigned the the State and Local Government committee.
June 1, 2020 Union Township GOP meeting at Norlyn Manor at 7 PM. Note: This meeting appears to be in conflict with the governor’s lockdown orders. However, the governor’s lockdown orders appear to be in conflict with the US Constitution, the Ohio Constitution, and the Ohio Revised Code. I personally intend to continue giving the governor’s lockdown orders all of the respect and adherence that they deserve.
June 17, 2020 Clermont County GOP meeting at HQ in Batavia at 7 PM. Note: This meeting was scheduled months ago and unconfirmed. Additionally, see prior note.
Becker – Vetted, Tested, and Proven!
“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).
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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?
