Archive for category: Legislative Update

Jena Powell

Powell supports ‘Promise to America’s Children’

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COLUMBUS — State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) on Monday signed her support to The Promise to America’s Children, a collaborative effort between the Family Policy Alliance, The Heritage Foundation, and Alliance Defending Freedom that outlines 10 guiding principles to protect children in America.

The goal of the initiative is to rally support for legislation that promotes pro-family and pro-religious freedom policy.

“In today’s age, our children are constantly exposed to explicit, adult content through social media, entertainment, cultural forces, and oftentimes, our own government,” said Powell. “We have a collective responsibility to protect the health, privacy, safety, and relationships of children in America.”

Below are the 10 guiding principles for The Promise to America’s Children:

1. Every child deserves to be protected from being used in or exposed to pornography, graphic sexual content or activities as well as from being exposed to it in media and on the Internet.

2. Every child deserves an education that is suited for their specific needs and development as guided by their parents, including free from graphic sexual curriculum or content, the promotion of abortion, and politicized ideas about sexual orientation and gender identity. To protect this right, all public school sexual education programs should be opt-in, voluntarily chosen by parents. A general opt-out should be provided for other sensitive topics that families do not believe is appropriate for their children. Parents should have the right to review all curriculum, reading materials, teacher’s guides, and computer programs or apps.

3. Every child deserves the right to free speech, to either speak or not speak and to affirm or not affirm messages or ideas that violate their beliefs or conscience.

4. Every child deserves the opportunity to be guided and supported in making the healthiest decisions for their current and future physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health, including obtaining counseling that the parents determine is safe, appropriate, and in the child’s best interest, without government interference that excludes parents or exhibits a bias based on beliefs about sexuality, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

5. Every child deserves safety and privacy in sex-specific spaces such as locker rooms, showers, and restrooms at schools and other federally-funded public facilities.

6. Every child deserves the opportunity to participate in fair and safe athletic competitions. Female athletes should not be forced to compete against biological males who identify as female in sports competitions intended for females.

7. Every child deserves the opportunity to be affirmed and in their genetically-determined sex, and to be supported as they mature through puberty and other normal adolescent changes that shape their maturity and reproductive capacity. Gender reassignment medical treatments (including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sterilizing surgeries) are neither natural nor healthy, and should not be permitted on minors.

8. Every child deserves a “forever family.” Authorities should not limit or reduce the pool of foster or adoptive parents by forcing either child welfare agencies or prospective adoptive or foster care parents to violate their moral or religious beliefs, including the belief that every child deserves a mother and a father.

9. Every child deserves a relationship with their mother and father. No child should be taken from their parents over disagreements between their parents and the state about sexual orientation/gender identity counseling, therapy, or medical procedures.

10. Every child deserves to have their parents informed of and involved in important life decisions. Authority figures (including teachers, counselors, or medical professionals) should not withhold information about a child’s sexual activity, development, or identity from parents or take any action that undermines the parents’ role in guiding the child in these areas. Nor should authority figures encourage or coerce a child to withhold information about important life decisions from the parent

Jena Powell

Open Ohio and Protect the Most Vulnerable

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Over the last seven months, our community, state, nation, and world have been dealing with the novel coronavirus.

At the beginning, our state made bold decisions because we didn’t know all the risk associated with COVID-19. So we stayed in our homes to protect our community until we gained knowledge about the pandemic risks.

As months have gone by, thankfully the virus is not as deadly as was once predicted.

My push, after the initial panic, has been to open Ohio and protect the most vulnerable. The Ohio House, in fact, has passed a dozen measures designed to support small businesses, first responders, health care workers, our schools and more. This includes SB 1, legislation to limit orders issued by the state health director to only 14 days without legislative extension approvalGovernor DeWine vetoed this bill.

The legislature must change state law in order to provide checks and balances upon the power of the executive branch during a public health emergency.

Long-term consequences of the economic shutdowns have become worse for many than the virus itself.

Over the next several weeks, we will be seeing a large rise in COVID-19 cases across our state and nation. This will be due to more testing, more people congregating inside as the weather gets colder, and the normal ebbs and flows of a virus.

As a community, we do not let fear rule our lives. We must protect the most vulnerable among us. We must work to contain the virus while continuing to live our lives.

The CDC and Governor DeWine have changed the COVID guidelines many times over the past year.

As I have said repeatedly since April, the secondary effects of the coronavirus are proving to be far worse than the coronavirus itself. This will continue being true. Consider the following:

  • We’ve had huge increases in suicide, mental illness, and opioid overdoses. We have seen a 178% increase in drug overdose calls to the Troy Fire Department. The House, Senate, and Administration have worked hard combating the opioid epidemic over the past five years, but now one epidemic is causing the rise of another.
  • We are seeing a rise in suicide in our community. Troy alone has experienced a 267% increase in suicide calls this year.

According to a summer CDC survey, 24.7% of 18-24 year olds and 19.5% of 25-44 year olds started or increased substance use to cope with pandemic-related stress or emotions. The same survey, taken at the end of June, found that 25.5% of 18-24 year olds and 16.0% of 25-44 year olds had seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days.

The secondary effects for many are far worse than the virus itself. I will continue pushing against the government overreach that the executive branch has taken during this time of crisis. They expanded their own agenda instead of 1) allowing people to choose for themselves and 2) letting the legislature have a voice.  We must change state law in order to limit the powers of the executive branch during an emergency, improve legislative oversight and protect the rights of all Ohioans. We will continue to work on legislation that will provide key checks and balances to the Administration.

We must protect the most vulnerable among us while restoring the freedom of the people of Ohio.

-Jena Powell

Jena Powell

GOOD NEWS: Powell Announces Legislation Protecting Elections, Places of Worship Signed into Law

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Powell Announces Legislation Protecting Elections, Places of Worship Signed into Law

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) announced that legislation protecting in-person voting and places of worship was signed into law this week.

“Protecting in-person voting and keeping our churches open is a top priority for me,” said Powell. “I’m thrilled this legislation will now become law.”

House Bill 272 prohibits public officials and government bureaucrats from ordering the closure of all places of worship. The bill also ensures that no public official can change the time, place or manner of conducting an election, ensuring that an incident like the March 2020 primary will not happen again.

“This is another big win for Ohioans,” added Powell. “There is still more work to be done, but this law is a step in the right direction of restoring the balance of power in Ohio.”

H.B. 272 was originally introduced to extend Ohio’s court jurisdiction to allow Ohioans to hold out-of-state individuals or companies accountable for the damage of harm they cause to Ohioans. The bill was amended on the Senate floor to include the elections and places of worship provisions.

Powell voted in favor of the legislation earlier this month.

Jena Powell

Powell Announces ‘Good Samaritan Expansion Bill’ Signed into Law

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Powell Announces ‘Good Samaritan Expansion Bill’ Signed into Law

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) today announced that legislation
protecting healthcare providers, first responders, schools, small businesses and others
from frivolous lawsuits stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic was signed into law.
“This is great news for Ohioans,” said Powell. “Our small businesses and workers have
suffered enough, and this legislation gives Ohioans the comfort of knowing they will not be
sued for simply doing their jobs.”
House Bill 606, also known as the Good Samaritan Expansion Bill, grants immunity to
healthcare providers, schools, local governments, businesses and others from lawsuits
stemming from the pandemic, unless those individuals or entities are reckless or engage in
intentional misconduct. The legislation received extensive support from a wide range of
trade associations, including the state’s largest associations representing large and small
businesses, agriculture, public schools, local governments, hospitals and healthcare
providers.
The bill is intended to provide peace of mind that Ohio’s healthcare workers, hospitals,
schools, businesses and others are protected from unnecessary and costly lawsuits.
“My job is not done until every Ohioan can live in freedom,” added Powell. “It’s crucial we
continue working on good policy to protect families, businesses, churches, non-profits, etc.
and ensure that the balance of power is retained here in Ohio.”
The bill applies to acts, omissions, conduct, decisions, or compliance from the date of the
Governor’s Executive Order, 2020-01D, issued on March 9, 2020, declaring a state of
emergency due to COVID-19, through September 30, 2021.

Powell voted in favor of the legislation earlier this month.

 

State Representative Jena Powell is currently serving her first term as a state representative.
She represents the 80 th Ohio House District, which encompasses Miami County and a portion of Darke County.

Jena Powell

Great News for Ohio!

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Yesterday, the Ohio House passed two incredible bills. One, HB 606, provides COVID-19 litigation reform (policy point 4). The second, HB 272, ensures that government bureaucrats are not allowed to close places of worship, and also ensures in-person voting this November (policy point 7).

This is great news for Ohioans! We are not done yet – the House and Senate must still override the Governor’s veto of SB 55, which will allow the Governor only 30 days of emergency order without approval from the Legislature. My job is not done until every Ohioan can live in freedom. It’s crucial we continue working on good policy to protect families, businesses, churches, non-profits, etc. and ensure that the balance of power is retained here in Ohio.

 

What does HB 606 mean for your business, church, school?

Protection from liability if someone tests positive for COVID-19 after going to your business, church, or school
Ability to open your business, church, school without worry that you will be sued because someone contacted COVID-19

 

What does HB 272 mean for you?

Elections must proceed as prescribed in the Ohio Revised Code
No public official can shut down Ohio churches with an order

What does HB 606 mean for your business, church, school?

Protection from liability if someone tests positive for COVID-19 after going to your business, church, or school
Ability to open your business, church, school without worry that you will be sued because someone contacted COVID-19

What does HB 272 mean for you?

Elections must proceed as prescribed in the Ohio Revised Code
No public official can shut down Ohio churches with an order

Jena Powell

Open Letter To Governor Mike DeWine and Speaker Bob Cupp

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August 11, 2020

Dear Governor DeWine and Speaker Cupp,

Ohioans need to have complete confidence that the leadership of Ohio is putting the needs of Ohioans first during this time of economic and health crises. Today, I am firmly and respectfully calling for the Ohio House to meet and act upon the following legislative priorities:

1. Remove the Statewide mask mandate

2. Remove stifling COVID-19 regulations on small businesses

3. Take pandemic powers out of the hands of bureaucrats

4. Pass COVID-19 litigation reform for private businesses and schools

5. Override the veto of Senate Bill 55

6. Fully and safely re-open schools this fall

7. Protect in-person voting in the November election

I also call upon the Governor to remember his duty to the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and to the citizens of our great state. Stifling COVID-19 regulations on Ohio individuals, small businesses, and schools must be removed immediately so that our communities can make their own responsible decisions during this pandemic. Ohioans elected me to fight for them, and I will not stop fighting until every student is back safely in school, every business is open, and all of our rights are protected.

Sincerely,

Jena Powell

State Representative

Ohio’s 80th House District

 

Jena Powell

Powell announces ‘Community Conversation’ event on Covid-19 Data with Special Guest, Troy Fire Chief Matthew Simmons

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ARCANUM — State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) on Tuesday announced she will be hosting a community conversation event with Troy Fire Chief Matthew Simmons to discuss COVID-19 numbers and statistics. The event will be held via Facebook Live on Wednesday, August 12 at noon.

“I look forward to discussing COVID-19 with a well-respected leader in our community,” said Powell. “This community conversation will bring to light important statistics, including drug overdoses, successful treatments, studies on asymptomatic spread, and more.”

Chief Simmons has served the city of Troy in fire service for 20 years. He has pioneered multiple community outreach programs, including a heroin task force in conjunction with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to combat the increasing epidemic. Chief Simmons is also a Navy veteran and holds certifications as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Fire Safety Inspector, and Fire and Explosive Investigator.

To participate in the community conversation, please visit Rep. Powell’s Facebook page. If you have any questions about the event or how to access the Facebook page, please email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov

Rep. Jena Powell is currently serving her first term as a state representative. She represents the 80th Ohio House District, which encompasses Miami County and a portion of Darke County.

Jena Powell

Op-Ed: Supporting Ohio Manufacturers And American Jobs With President Trump

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President Trump’s actions show that meaningful workforce development in Ohio and across America is possible, even during the midst of our current economic crisis due to COVID-19. Despite the challenges Ohioans and Americans are facing in this time, President Trump’s continued support of American jobs is producing great results.

Thursday, President Trump will visit a Whirlpool Corporation manufacturing plant in Clyde, Ohio. This will be the President’s sixteenth trip to Ohio, and the President will discuss his Administration’s successful efforts to revive and support our nation’s resurgent manufacturing industry.

Here in Ohio, we are very proud of all of our businesses, including our manufacturers. The Whirlpool facility in Clyde employs over 3,000 individuals, and has around 10,000 employees across Ohio. The Clyde Whirlpool facility is also the largest washer manufacturing plant in the world.

In 2018, President Trump decided to provide targeted relief to U.S. manufacturers negatively affected by surging imports of washing machines and solar products. This particular move allowed Whirlpool to hire 200 additional full-time workers at the Clyde location, and Whirlpool applauded the Administration’s efforts as “a victory for American workers and consumers alike.”

As President Trump renews our focus on American-made products, we know the huge benefit that Ohio manufacturing companies provide to our communities. At the state level, I look forward to continuing to push legislation that supports American workers and creates jobs right here in our great state of Ohio.

Welcome to Ohio, President Trump. We are thrilled to have you here moving forward on workforce development during this crucial time.

State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) is currently serving her first term as a state representative. She represents the 80th Ohio House District, which encompasses Miami County and a portion of Darke County. Powell serves as Vice Chair to the Economic and Workforce Development and has introduced legislation regarding license reciprocity, apprenticeship programs, crowdfunding and other workforce bills. 

*original Op-Ed released here: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/jena-powell/press/op-ed-supporting-ohio-manufacturers-and-american-jobs-with-president-trump

Jena Powell

Powell asks women to share athletic accomplishments

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ARCANUM – State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) is encouraging women in her district to share their athletic achievements in wake of renewing calls for the passage of House Bill 527, also known as the Save Women’s Sports Act. The bill aims to promote fairness among athletics and preserve the integrity of school sports.

The legislation ensures that biological women are not forced to compete against biological men playing on female only sports teams. The bill would designate male and female sports teams be based upon the biological sex of an individual, meaning that biological males cannot play on female teams.

“The Save Women’s Sports Act is a fairness issue for women,” said Powell. “This bill ensures that every little girl who works hard to make it on a podium is not robbed of her chance by a biological male competing against her in a biological female sport. We want every little girl to achieve her athletic dream here in the state of Ohio.”

The bill, which is currently pending in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee, also includes a number of provisions that provide protections for students, schools and colleges, as well as a dispute resolution process.

Full Video on SWS Act can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQMy46EGB54

If you would like to share your athletic story, please contact Powell’s office at 614-466-8114 or Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.