State Legislator of the Month – OH Representative Jena Powell

Rep. Powell is thrilled to be named “State Legislator of the Month” by American Legislative Exchange Council – a nationwide organization dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism.

To hear a podcast conversation with American Legislative Exchange Council and FreedomWorks as we discussed conservative policy in light of COVID-19, follow the link here:
https://podcast.alec.org/29

In this podcast we discussed H.B. 197, joint sponsored by Rep. Derek Merrin and Rep. Jena Powell.

More info can be found at ALEC.org:

For the month of April, we are pleased to announce Ohio Representative Jena Powell as the ALEC-FreedomWorks State Legislator of the Month. This award is used to highlight substantive state policy successes by State Legislators – bringing their local story to a national platform. The FreedomWorks network of activists is second to none in supporting the efforts of liberty-loving state legislators.

During COVID-19, we’ve seen leaders step up to support Americans across the country.  But in Ohio, a bill sponsored by Rep. Jena Powell, along with fellow ALEC member Rep. Derek Merrin, stands out. The legislation authorized the Ohio Tax Commissioner to extend the deadlines for personal income tax filing and payment for Ohio taxpayers from April to July 15, 2020. At the time of writing, no other state legislature has done this.

Many states have delayed their tax deadlines, but they’ve done so via executive order or by a government agency’s decision. Ohio is the first to do it legislatively and we applaud their work. The bill also supports rolling back licensing requirements, increasing flexibility for school choice programs and many more pro-liberty responses to the pandemic.

Thank you, Representative Powell, for protecting individual liberty and free enterprise in the states. Congratulations on being the newest ALEC-FreedomWorks State Legislator of the Month.

Join Rep. Powell & Congressman Davidson Thursday!

You’re Invited to join State Representative Jena Powell and Congressman Warren Davidson on Facebook Live, Thursday, April 16th, at 9am!

We will be discussing our community, policy, and impacts of COVID-19.

If you have questions in advance, feel free to email them to Rep80@ohiohouse.gov, or you can also ask them in the comments section during the live video.

To participate in this Community Conversation, please visit the @VoteJenaPowell Facebook page. The event will begin at 9:00am.

If you have any questions about this event, or how to access the Facebook page, please email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.

Hope to see you there,

-Jena Powell

Community Conversations With Special Guest – FACEBOOK LIVE

State Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) announces she will be hosting community conversations with special guests from her district next week. Each event will be held via Facebook Live.
“As we face the coronavirus pandemic, I want to hear input from our community leaders regarding how we can rise stronger than before,” said Powell. “I look forward to engaging with my constituents and hearing their questions on issues that matter most to them.”

Each special guest will focus on a certain topic:
Monday, April 13th : Eric Fee – Community Involvement
Tuesday, April 14th : Johnathan Newman – Faith
Wednesday, April 15th : Paul Hemminger – Children & Families
Thursday, April 16th : Special Guest TBD – Small Business

Recently, Powell was appointed to OHIO 2020, a bipartisan task force that will focus on helping get Ohio’s economy back on track in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel began meeting remotely this week.

To participate in the community conversations, please visit the @VoteJenaPowell Facebook page. Each event will begin at 9:00am.

If you have any questions about the event or how to
access the Facebook page, please email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov

Rep. Powell Assigned to COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force

State Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) is named by Speaker Householder (R-Glenford) to the OHIO 2020 Task Force.

“We are walking unchartered territory due to COVID-19 right now,” said Rep. Powell. “While we are doing everything we can to keep Ohioans healthy, we also need to continue looking at the economics factors that are associated with COVID-19 in preparation for recovery when this pandemic ends. I am grateful that Speaker Householder set up this task force so we can continue the conversation on a statewide basis to ensure businesses and families have the ability to survive and thrive both short-term and long-term.” Speaker Larry Householder today named 24 legislators to the bipartisan task force that will study ways the Ohio House can lay the foundation for economic recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic.

Speaker Householder said that as the critical work of doctors, nurses, first responders and public health leaders continues in an effort to keep Ohioans safe and healthy, it’s equally important to focus on planning Ohio’s economic recovery. “Prior to COVID-19 coming to our shores, our nation was experiencing perhaps the best economic time in its history,” Householder said. “The policies that needed to be put in place have flattened two curves, one regarding the spread of the virus, the other regarding our economy. Ohio needs to get healthy and back to work as soon as possible,” according to Speaker Householder. Speaker Householder continues, “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of our lives, including the economic well-being and future of Ohio families and businesses. What are the barriers to economic recovery? How do we help Ohio’s families and employers recover and emerge stronger than before? This is a critical time for Ohio’s future. I believe we can rebound from this challenge in a better position than anyone in the nation if we plan ahead and implement
well.”

The panel will begin meeting remotely today. There will be guests each meeting from the business, manufacturing, retail, wholesale, services and recreational sectors to discuss their experience and brainstorm ways to rebound Ohio’s job market once COVID-19 has ran its course.

Rep. Powell says, “If you want to provide input from my community to me regarding our economic recovery, email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov or call the office at 614-466-8114 so that I can be a voice for you on this task force.”

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to our office at 614-466-8114 or Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.

2020 PRIMARY ELECTION INFORMATION

The legislature extended absentee ballot voting. Voters MUST vote by absentee and have it postmarked by April 27th, 2020. No in person voting will happen except for individuals voting with disabilities.

  • Ohioans who were eligible to vote on March 17, 2020, will be able to cast their ballot by mail. Please note mail ballots must be postmarked on or before April 27, 2020, and received by May 8.
  •  Ballots that are not returned by mail must be received by the county elections board by 7:30 p.m. on April 28.
  • In-person voting will only occur on April 28 and will only be available for individuals with disabilities who require in-person voting assistance and those who do not have a home mailing address.
  • Those Ohioans who cast their ballot early will have their vote count.
  • Voters can still obtain an absentee ballot request form by calling their county Board of Elections, visiting their website or going to VoteOhio.gov

The Secretary of State’s website – VoteOhio.gov – has additional information.

If you have questions, please email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov for more information.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Assistance for Small Businesses

As a business owner myself, I understand the complications and devastating effects COVID-19 is having on our economy.

Congress passed the CARES ACT which is a $2 trillion stimulus package. Of the $2 trillion, $349 billion is allotted to the ‘Paycheck Protection Program.’

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

 

Below you will see three articles for in-depth analysis and FAQ:

https://home.treasury.gov/…/assistance-for-small-businesses…

https://gop-waysandmeans.house.gov/cares-act-unemployment…/…

https://www.rubio.senate.gov/…/71AB6CB05A08E369E0D488A80B38…

 

Read more

Rep. Powell Announces Tele-Town Hall Monday at 6pm

State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) announces she will be hosting a Tele-Town Hall event for constituents focused on the topic of the coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, Powell voted in support of House Bill 197, which addressed a variety of issues affected by the current health crisis.

“As we are practicing social distancing and following the stay-at-home order in Ohio, I still want to give my constituents a voice,” said Powell. “Not only do I want to share with them information regarding this important coronavirus-response legislation, but I also want input from my community as we all face this pandemic together.”

To participate in the Tele-Town Hall, please call 1-877-820-7831 and use the passcode 754831# on Monday, March 30. The event will run from 6 – 6:30 p.m.

The event is open and free to the public, if you have any questions about the event or how to access the Facebook page, please email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.

COVID-19 Package Unanimously Passes House & Senate

COLUMBUS – State Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) announced the unanimous passage of Am. Sub. H.B. 197 on Wednesday by both House and Senate, providing emergency relief for Ohio families, businesses, and communities in the midst of the effects of COVID-19.

“As a state we are living in unprecedented times due to COVID-19,” said Rep. Powell. “As a legislature, we want to do everything we can to protect the rights and freedoms of Ohioans. That is our responsibility, and the current crisis does not negate that, but rather makes even strong our commitment to securing liberty for Ohioans.”

Some of the highlights of the COVID-19 package include the following:

  • Ohio’s state tax filing deadline will be July 15, mirroring the newly adjusted federal tax deadline for this year.
  • Absentee voting for the March 17th primary will be extended to April 28th, giving Ohioans the ability to submit their ballots via mail if they have not already voted.
  • Public water disconnections are prohibited during the pandemic, ensuring that Ohioans will not have their water cut off.
  • Waiving unemployment barriers including the first week waiting period, the work search requirement, and unemployment eligibility will now include COVID-19 related lay-offs.
  • State testing, district and building report cards have been waived for the 2019-2020 school year. The bill eases restrictions on distance learning, creates a safe harbor from sanctions for schools, and permits seniors to graduate if their school determines they are on track to do so. The 2020-21 list of EdChoice eligible schools will be the exact same as the 2019-2020 list.
  • Provisions for the continuity of school lunch programs and student meal delivery.
  • The bill suspends staff to child ratio requirements and maximum group sizes at operating child-care centers during the duration of this pandemic.
  • Public meeting requirements for local governments, commissions, boards, etc. will be adjusted to allow for publicly accessible online meetings during this time.
  • Any state issued occupational license that is set to expire between the bill’s effective date and December 1, 2020, will be automatically extended to December 1, 2020.
  • Removal of barriers for essential government and health workers, waiving rehire waiting time for critical agency workers, and allowing nursing graduates to practice prior to passing licensure exams.

“This is a hard time for our communities as I have seen so many in our communities step up and serve in this time, and we want to see more of that. Our goal in this bill is to aid in community, business, and family efforts to fight COVID-19 in our state and nation. This legislation will help bring us back on track to a thriving economy so that we can continue living our American dreams in Ohio,” said Powell.

Powell continued, “Even though times can be difficult, our communities are strong, our state is strong, and the United States is strong. Together, we are going to get through this pandemic.”

As always, if you have any questions about this COVID-19 package or any other state government concern, please reach out to our office at 614-466-8114 or Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.

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DEMOCRATS HOLDING UP CRUCIAL AID TO AMERICANS

The Democrats in the US Senate are holding up almost 2 Trillion dollars of needed aid to hurting Americans. Why? Because Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi refuses to pass a bill without adding emissions mandates for airplanes, tax credits for solar and wind energy, and $35 Million for the JFK Performing Arts Center – pet projects that have NOTHING to do with the pandemic Americans are experiencing right now.

In crises like this, we expect our politicians to set aside partisan labels and work together for the good of America. However imperfect it is, the Senate bill has many provisions to save businesses, to help families, and to support the heroes on the front lines of this war we are in. It includes dozens of ideas from Democrats and Republicans alike, crafted in bipartisan working groups (of which Senator Rob Portman was a major part).

Instead of coming together, Democrats (including Senator Sherrod Brown) are using this pandemic as a vehicle to enact their dream proposals. They voted against a bill that contained many of their own ideas in an act of craven partisanship.

A top Democrat in Congress called the Coronavirus pandemic “a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.” I am so saddened that our leaders are treating this emergency as a chance to sneak their personal agendas past the American people.

Democrats, it’s time to stop playing chicken with the retirement of hard-working American families. Put aside your party allegiance and do what’s right for America. TODAY.

2,316

Representative Powell Appointed to Governor’s Advisory Board of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives  

COLUMBUS – Last week, Speaker Larry Householder appointed State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) to the Governor’s Advisory Board of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Powell was very pleased with the appointment.

 

“Faith and community are an important part of my life, and I am thrilled to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Board of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives on behalf of my community and our state,” said Powell. “At the heart of every state is strong faith and thriving communities, and I thank Speaker Larry Householder and Governor Mike DeWine for this appointment.”

 

The mission of the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is to promote solutions, including those from faith-based partners, to community needs and support the development of collaborative efforts to improve the well-being of all Ohioans.

 

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State Representative 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.

For more information, contact Rep Powell’s office at 614-466-8114 or Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.