· From the Desk of

Rep. Dovilla

· At the Statehouse

· Around the 7th

· Upcoming Events

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56 – Proud NewHomeowners

282 – Responses to

Constituents

Thomas Hartline

Troop 228 Eagle Scout

Daniel AmbroseMark Biley

Grant DorseyChristian Graber

Russell KroftaChristopher LinneNicholas Loveland

Kyle MaresRyan Moran

Kurt PickeringRichard Poinsatte

Harrison StonekingNicholas Trottnow

From the Desk of Rep. Dovilla Dear 7th District Resident: With the Indians home opener and warmer weather (we hope!)finally on the horizon, spring has arrived. So, too, have the mid-biennium review of our state’s budget and the first capitalappropriations bill in six years, both important measures that areadvancing through the legislative process at the Statehouse. In other legislative action, I am pleased to report that our bill tocrack down on public corruption has passed the Ohio House ofRepresentatives. In addition, I have recently introduced four more billsand a resolution, two related to supporting Ohio’s veterans and militaryservice members, two to continue spurring economic development, andanother to help improve government transparency and accountability. Each of these pieces of legislation is described in our “At theStatehouse” segment. Here in the 7th District, our 4th Annual “Representative for aDay” reading program wrapped up and we welcomed a wonderful groupof students and families to the Statehouse. In addition, I am continuingto visit with constituents during our spring round of district office hoursand am pleased to be attending many Eagle Scout courts of honor andother events around our communities. You can read more on myactivities closer to home in the “Around the 7th” section of ournewsletter. I am honored to serve you and your family in the Ohio House ofRepresentatives. If you wish to share your views on an issue or if I maybe of assistance on a matter related to state government, please feelfree to contact our office at 614-466-4895 or Rep07@ohiohouse.gov. Wehope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, State Representative Mike Dovilla

At the Statehouse

Cub Scout Pack 526Arrow of Light awardees

Jim Brown

Berea Service Director(retirement after 14 years of

service)

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A busy spring session is underway in the People’s House, withthe introduction of the Mid-Biennium Review (MBR) budget bill and therecent passage of the first capital appropriations act since 2008. TheMBR, a 1,620-page bill presented to the legislature by Gov. Kasich’sadministration, represents the second such mid-budget measure duringthe past four years. Far more than a simple budget corrections act, itrepresents substantial policy recommendations designed to continuemoving Ohio in the right direction. In order to give each component ofthe bill proper review, the House of Representatives has divided themeasure into 14 separate bills, which have been referred to eleven ofour 17 standing committees. I am pleased once again to be sponsoringthe veterans portion of the MBR, which is described below. I am also pleased to report our action on a capital billappropriating almost $2.4 billion for public building and infrastructurerepairs, maintenance, and construction throughout our state. CuyahogaCounty will receive nearly $65 million in funding for economicdevelopment initiatives, community projects, and arts, cultural, andeducational improvements. This bill is the first capital measure enactedin six years, another sign of Ohio’s improving economic climate. Themeasure is estimated to generate 31,000 jobs, building on the more than238,200 new private sector jobs created during the past three years,which have dropped the unemployment rate to 6.5 percent in March2014 from 9.0 percent in January 2011. As indicated above, in recent weeks I have introduced four newbills and a resolution, all of which are elements of my main public policypriorities in the legislature: House Bill 439 is a government accountability measure that builds on mycontinuing efforts to improve transparency and root out corruption. Thebill will provide protection for government employees who reportcriminal conduct to the Ohio Inspector General (IG) or complain aboutnoncriminal conduct to their supervisors or the state internal auditoffice. A recent court ruling in Franklin County held that governmentemployees who file a complaint with the Ohio IG must ensure thecomplaint is criminal in nature in order for whistleblower protection toapply. Such an onerous requirement could have a chilling effect ongovernment employees doing the right thing by seeking to reportinstances of waste, fraud, and abuse. Our common sense bill, which Iam cosponsoring with Rep. Bill Hayes of Licking County, would allow forthe filing of noncriminal conduct complaints with the Ohio IG’s office. This will encourage our state’s public employees to report thoseinstances of unethical activity, regardless of whether it is criminal innature. The following news article provides additional information onthe public policy our bill is designed to correct:http://www.toledoblade.com/State/2014/01/19/Revisions-sought-to-Ohio-whistleblower-law-after-court-rules-employee-s-protections-limited.html

House Bill 471, legislation to support our military personnel, willincrease the criminal penalty for identity theft against active dutymilitary members and their spouses. Nationally, we have seen adisturbing increase in the number of service members reporting identitytheft. In Ohio alone, military identity fraud increased almost 20 percentfrom 2012 to 2013. In addition, this legislation will create a private rightof action for all victims of identity fraud, allowing those who fall prey tothis nefarious activity to pursue lawsuits against offenders and recoverup to $5,000 for each violation, or three times the amount of actualdamages, whichever is greater. The bill will also provide an opportunityfor victims to obtain a journal entry formally finding them to be thevictim of identity fraud. This entry could then be presented to creditorsto assist in clearing the victim’s credit history in a more expeditiousmanner. House Bill 474, an economic development and agricultural measure, willauthorize the creation of the “Ohio State Beekeepers Association”license plate. Agriculture is Ohio’s number one industry, and even oursuburban district has a large number of farms, nurseries, greenhouses,and beekeepers. Honeybees have been recognized as playing a vitalrole in agriculture for more than 100 years. In fact, today our state hasmore than 4,390 registered beekeepers whose honeybees produce over1,140,000 pounds of honey per year. More important than honeyproduction, however, is the role of honeybees in crop pollination formany of the fruit and vegetable crops of our state. This legislation willpermit the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue a license plate thatgenerates a $15 fee from individuals electing to purchase the plate thatwould be used to assist in keeping the beekeeping industry and thefuture of Ohio agriculture strong. House Bill 488, the veterans/higher education portion of the MBR, willsubstantively revise the options available to Ohio’s veterans who seekcollege degrees or occupational licenses. The bill will create for the firsttime a uniform process for awarding college credits to veterans formilitary training. By establishing the Military Articulation and TransferAssurance Guide, state institutions of higher education will have abaseline of standards for granting college credit for military experience. The bill will also require the state’s institutions of higher education toadopt a policy regarding veterans’ support and assistance, an importantaction to help our returning service members transition from military tocivilian life in an academic environment. At a time when less than one-half of one percent of the American population is standing up andvolunteering to defend our liberties, I believe we have an obligation toreturn some small measure of that devotion and love of country. I amdelighted that Gov. Kasich is working to advance a vision and culture ofsupport for our military veterans, and it is an honor to join him in thatendeavor as we offer this legislation. House Concurrent Resolution 44 is bipartisan legislation to supportOhio’s economy by urging the U.S. Congress to appropriate funds for the

construction of the U.S. Customs Plaza for the New International TradeCrossing (NITC) between the United States and Canada. The resolution,which I am cosponsoring with Rep. Teresa Fedor of Lucas County, issimilar to a measure adopted in 2012. The NITC is a key link with ournorthern neighbor and is a project on which I have been working closelywith my colleagues in state legislatures throughout the Midwest and theCanadian government. Canada remains the top destination for Ohio’smanufactured goods and agricultural products, totaling $19.7 billion ingoods and supporting 301,100 Ohio jobs. In addition, the NITC wouldsupport Ohio’s growing travel and tourism industry, to which Canadianscontribute each year with 557,000 visits and $115 million in spendingduring their trips to the Buckeye State. A state-of-the art trade crossingwill continue to promote our trade relationship and Ohio’s economicrecovery.

Around the 7th

We recently concluded our 4th Annual “Representative for aDay” reading contest. Once again this year, we were pleased with thestrong participation of our elementary school students and gratified byour ongoing partnerships with the Cuyahoga County Public Library andall elementary schools in the four school districts that comprise ourlegislative district. More than 200 young people read over 1,600 booksas a part of this program to promote Ohio history and the importance ofreading. On March 24, we welcomed one student from each library andschool, along with his or her parents, siblings, and other familymembers to Columbus for a personal tour of the historic OhioStatehouse, a mock legislative session on the floor of the House ofRepresentatives, and lunch. As always, I greatly appreciate the supportof parents, students, teachers, administrators, and librarians in makingthis program such a big success. During the past month, I participated in the following eventsaround the 7th House District: On March 1, I held district office hours at the Olmsted Fallsbranch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. On March 8, I hosted district office hours at the Berea branch ofthe Cuyahoga County Public Library. On March 9, I presented commendations to Cub Scouts of Pack526 at their annual Blue and Gold banquet. Congratulations to all of theboys who completed the program and are bridging to Boy Scouts! On March 19, I welcomed to Columbus during his spring breakDan Bower, a Strongsville constituent and third year law student who isconsidering career opportunities in Ohio state government. It was greatto have Dan join me throughout a busy day in the halls of theStatehouse.

On March 20, I joined fellow community leaders for the State ofthe City address in Berea. I was pleased that our efforts to address OhioTurnpike road abatement were recognized by Mayor Kleem. On March 20, I accompanied Berea City Councilman Jim Maxwellto Grindstone Elementary School, where we spoke with a class of 2ndgrade students about our work in state and local government. It waswonderful over this past weekend to receive a package of thank youcards from the kids. On March 21, I visited Magnolia Clubhouse, a community-basedcenter of psychosocial rehabilitation in University Circle that supportsindividuals experiencing mental illness with employment, education,and advocacy. I enjoyed a delicious Lenten lunch and the opportunity tovisit with members, volunteers, and staff. On March 27, I attended the quarterly Strongsville BusinessNetwork breakfast, where we received updates on the city’s ongoingeconomic development efforts and the important work of Cleveland’soffice of the U.S. Small Business Administration and its local bankingpartners. On March 29, I held district office hours at the North Royaltonbranch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. On March 29, I presented a House commendation to OlmstedFalls constituent, Thomas Hartline, the newest Eagle Scout of Troop 228at the United Methodist Church of Berea. On March 30, I dropped by a community open house at theOlmsted Falls city hall. On March 30, I appeared once again as a guest on “The Advocate”radio program with Nick Phillips, the host and a North Royaltonconstituent, on WHK 1420AM.

Upcoming Events Upcoming dates of note on my official calendar and in ourcommunity include the following:

· April 18: Tour of Southwest General Health Center, MiddleburgHeights

· April 22: Berea Chamber of Commerce Annual Grindstone Dinnerhonoring Sally King, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Middleburg Heights

· April 24: Berea City School District 22nd Annual DistinguishedAlumni Hall of Fame Dinner, Middleburg Heights Junior HighSchool, Middleburg Heights

· April 25: Berea Kiwanis Empty Bowl Dinner, Berea-Midpark High

School, Berea

· April 26: District Office Hours, Cuyahoga County Public Library,Strongsville Branch

· April 26: Memorial Plaque Unveiling for Prof. Charles F. Burke,Baldwin Wallace University, Berea

· April 27: BSA Troop 201 Eagle Scout Court of Honor, St. Mary ofthe Falls, Olmsted Falls

· April 28: Tour of Brew Kettle Production Works and Restaurant,Strongsville

For more information on any event or to submit an event for inclusion ina future issue of the 7th District Newsletter, please email our office atRep07@ohiohouse.gov. Thank you!