INTRODUCTION
Hi, it’s Jena Powell! Things are as busy as ever in the Ohio House, and I understand that on top of everything else in your life, you may not be following everything that is happening here. I write this newsletter to give you a rundown of some of the bills and resolutions that I am working on to help you, my constituents of the 80th House District, and all Ohioans. Before we get into the details, I want to tell you a little bit about myself in case we haven’t met.
A lifelong resident of the 80th House District, I grew up on a farm outside of Arcanum. After graduating from Franklin-Monroe High School, I obtained a degree in Business at Liberty University. Currently, I own a billboard company with my siblings across Ohio and Indiana called Huntington Outdoor. While working around the state, I became frustrated with the increased regulation on small businesses, and it inspired me to run for State Representative in 2018. While in Columbus, I fight to reduce regulation, cut taxes, enact pro-life legislation, and defend 2nd Amendment rights.
CURRENT LEGISLATION
Workforce Bill – We are currently working on a bill that will expand Ohio’s workforce by getting individuals into the workforce faster through expanding apprenticeship programs. H.B. 258 will allow individuals in certain occupations to use a certified apprenticeship program towards completing their occupational license. This bill will provide hands-on training and paid work that will count towards receiving an occupational license.
To read the bill, go to www.ohiohouse.gov and search legislation for H.B. 258.
Tax Bill – A tax-related bill we are working on is H.B. 197. This tax clean-up bill corrects errors from previous legislation within the tax code, which will ultimately make the tax code easier for Ohioans to read and understand. This bill also makes technical changes to the tax code, including correcting grammatical errors, and removing obsolete language provisions and incorrect cross-references.
To read the bill, go to www.ohiohouse.gov and search legislation for H.B. 197.
Sex Trafficking Resolution – Our office is also currently working on a House Resolution. H.R. 180 acknowledges that according to the Human Trafficking Hotline, Ohio is the fourth worst state in the nation for human sex trafficking. This legislation also recognizes that sex trafficking, prostitution, and pornography are interrelated. Due to this, our resolution declares pornography as a public health hazard that must be addressed through education, prevention, research, and policy changes at the community level to confront this crisis.
To read the resolution, go to www.ohiohouse.gov and search legislation for H.R. 180.
Pro-Life Bill – Recently, our office introduced a great pro-life bill. H.B. 297 will authorize a refundable income tax credit for a taxpayer’s cash contributions to any qualifying pregnancy resource center. This bill encourages donating to pregnancy resource centers that help women through pregnancies by offering an income tax incentive. If passed, this bill will help protect life’s most vulnerable individuals, unborn children, and will help protect their right to life while providing support for mothers and their families.
To read the bill, go www.ohiohouse.gov and search legislation for H.B. 297.
Thank you so much for reading this newsletter. It is a huge honor fighting for you in Columbus. I hold office hours, town halls, and coffee events in my district. You can find those on my website at JenaPowell.com or by checking my Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @VoteJenaPowell.
If you ever have a concern, please feel free to contact my office at 614.466.8114 or rep80@ohiohouse.gov and we will see how we can help you. I wish you the best in all you do and God bless!
– Jena Powell
*For the office of Representative Jena Powell*
