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Gov. DeWine, Dr. Acton: Time to Open the State
By State Representative Jena Powell
When I go to Columbus, I go to represent my community in Miami and
Southern Darke County. We want to do everything we can to protect
everyone in our community, including the elderly and the
immunocompromised.
Back in March, we had limited data with regard to COVID-19. Governor DeWine made a decision with the data he had at that point.
Businesses, families, and nonprofits rose to the challenge of flattening the curve.
As we’ve looked at COVID-19 and the current data, we have a growing concern and frustration.
We worked tirelessly to flatten the curve and we protected the
vulnerable… now, the data from the virus has shown us that it is not as
deadly or as contagious as once thought back in March.
In our communities, we are seeing:
Suicide rates increase
Child abuse increase
Small businesses fall apart
Unemployment skyrocket
This is unacceptable with the data we now have.
When our community urged the Governor to open Ohio safely, the Governor
instead extended the Stay Safe order through the month of May.
While bureaucrats can sit in their million dollar condos in Columbus
and sign the Stay at Home order, my community doesn’t have the luxury
of doing that. We have to get back to work and we can do it safely.
That is why Substitute Senate Bill 1 is crucial.
We have three branches of government: legislative, executive, and
judicial – none of which is more important than the others. Checks and
balances in government are crucial as we move forward.
We have to make sure that everyone’s voice is being heard. That is what Sub. S.B. 1 does.
Today, I voted yes on Sub. S.B. 1 to allow a legislative checks and
balances on Dr. Acton’s power. All orders issued by the Director of the
Department of Health will cease after 14 days unless the Joint
Committee on Agency Rule Review votes for an extension.
In addition, Sub. S.B. 1 will reduce government regulation and cut red
tape by requiring state agencies to reduce their regulatory
restrictions by 30% by 2022 and by prohibiting an agency from adopting
new regulatory restrictions that increase their restriction percentage
of rules.
I also voted yes on S.B. 55, which included an amendment to
decriminalize violations of health department orders related to the
pandemic.
This is a step in the right direction to ensure your voice is being heard in Columbus.
-Jena Powell
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