Ohio House Government Oversight Committee - 5-19-2026

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Representative King. Here.

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Representative Rader.

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Representative Workman.

I motion to amend with amendment 136-1624.

Yes, it says here about Ohio-made flags prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from purchasing United States or Ohio flags that are not made in Ohio rather than just the United States.

Sir, we will set up to our next questions.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Chairman Hall, Vice Chairman Ferguson, Ranking Member Humphrey, and members of the Government Oversight Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide sponsorship testimony on House Bill 315 a bill to designate May 29th at Sojourner Truth Day in the state of Ohio Sojourner Truth was a trailblazer whose legacy of courage faith and tireless advocacy for human rights continue to uplift us all today Born into slavery as Isabella Bonfrey, she was bought and sold four times, subject to violent punishment and watched helplessly as her siblings and children were ripped away from her and sold. She endured unimaginable suffering, yet despite every attempt to silence and dehumanize her, she refused to surrender. In 1827, at 29 years old, Bonfrey walked to her freedom, carrying her infant daughter. Isabella later changed her name to Sojourner True, divinely inspired and traveled throughout the country to preach truth about abolition and women's rights. While her impact stretches across the nation, Ohio holds an especially sacred place in Sojourner's history. On May 29, 1851, she stood at the second Ohio Women's Rights Convention in front of attendees in my hometown, Akron, Ohio. It was there that she delivered one of the most important speeches of women's rights and abolition in United States history. known as Ain't I a Woman? Truth was not invited or asked to speak, still she stood and presented. Her speech changed and challenged the nation to confront the hypocrisy of denying freedom and equality for women and to black Americans. Today, in Akron, Ohio, the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza stands as a permanent reminder of her courage and wisdom. The towering statue raised exactly where Sojourner stood and faced incalculable risks to tell the truth that would empower women for generations, including me. This extraordinary plaza opened on the 173rd anniversary of her renowned speech. It is the largest public art display in the United States of a black woman. As a nation commemorating the 250th anniversary of America, there is no better time to further cement the importance of women's suffrage movement within the triumphant history of this great country. remembering the presence, courage, tenacity, and powerful words, Ain't I a Woman?, that helped change the trajectory of the fight for women's rights, voting rights, and equality in America. From slavery to liberty, children of truth's DNA cannot be denied. House Bill 315 offers a simple profound way to formally recognize Truth's legacy and to pay tribute to such an intelligent, strong, and extraordinary woman who helped shape the moral compass of our state and our nation. To commemorate the anniversary of her historic appearance in Akron and ensure that her contributions to Ohio's history are forever immortalized. Thank you. I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Representative, for being with us today. Is there any questions from members of the committee? Seeing none, that will conclude the first hearing on House Bill 315.

I see Senator Lange walked in. Senator Craig, you guys ready to go? We'll call up Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 10. Senator Lange, Senator Craig, for sponsored testimony. Welcome to committee. Both may begin when ready.

Chairman Hall, Vice Chairman Ferguson, and Ranking Member Humphrey, I'm sorry, and members of the House Government Oversight Committee, thank you for allowing me and my joint sponsor, not just my friend, my beloved friend, Herschel Craig, the opportunity to present sponsored testimony on concurrent resolution number 10. Rep. Humphrey, I may have just given you a promotion. I'm not sure about that. Or an insult. I'm not sure which one. I apologize. A measure to formally express our state's support of the Ohio's commission work on the U.S. semi-quincentennial celebration of America's birthday. It is my great honor to offer this resolution before the committee for all of us to have a hand in celebrating this beautiful milestone for our state and our nation. The Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semi-Quincentennial was announced on March 1, 2022, by Governor DeWine to prepare our state to participate in the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Think about that, guys. 250 years ago, our forefathers had a vision to build a land based on freedom, based on liberty, based on individual rights, a land where the power of the individual was more powerful than the power of the collective. And look at the impact America has had on the rest of the world, and let's just look at the impact that Ohio has had on America. My colleague shared a few of our things that makes Ohio great, but one of the things I am most proud of, we are the first state in the nation in our Constitution to ban slavery. I think it's fair to say that in our 250 years of a great country, along those 250 years, we have had our warts and our periods of darkness, but Ohio, I believe, has been a bright spot that the rest of the country can look up to. From Ohio's company settlement in Marietta, the first in the Northwest Territory, and for those of you that haven't read The Pioneers by David McCullough, it's an amazing book on Ohio's history, to the Treaty of Greenville, to Perry's victory on Lake Erie, our state has its claim on American lore. And this resolution will formally declare our support of the commission to celebrate these wonderful events and more for America's 250th birthday. Chairman Hall, thank you for the opportunity to present testimony, and I'll be happy to take any easy questions and give my colleague all the difficult ones.

Representative Claggett, it looks like you have a question. I was just wondering if either one of you would like to opine on any personal experiences from 1776.

Through the chair. Thank you very much. I was just in grade school then, and my recollection is a little fuzzy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and my best to your family.

Thank you, Chairman Hall, Vice Chairman Ferguson, Ranking Member Humphrey, and members of the committee. My name is Joshua Meyer, and I serve as Director of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force at the American Legislative Exchange Council. I appreciate the opportunity to share Alec's nonpartisan research and analysis as you consider House Concurrent Resolution 24, a resolution on the seriousness of the national debt and its threat to national security. Many state governments around the country model good fiscal behavior. By this I mean that they pass balanced budgets, they keep debt levels modest, and they're otherwise careful not to commit taxpayers to excessive long-term obligations. Ohio has seen budget surpluses in recent years, cut taxes, and kept spending growth under control. The state's constitution places certain limits on Ohio's issuance of debt. Like many states, it would be unfair to say that the state has not faced its fair share of fiscal challenges, but prudence and strong institutions have prevented out-of-control debt in Ohio. It is not so in Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, the national debt held by the public surpassed 100% of gross domestic product for the first time since the years immediately following the Second World War. Scarcely little is being done to change the course of this ballooning debt. As Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nishala and ALEC President and Chief Economist Jonathan Williams recently wrote, States like Ohio that labor to balance their budgets are still vulnerable to the profligacy of the federal government, which adds about trillion to the national debt each year But the states can play a role in guiding Washington D on the fundamentals balanced budgets, sensible limits on spending, and transparent accounting. The resolution before the committee is based on one originally sponsored by then-Senator Mike Braun as Senate Resolution 600 and passed by the 118th Congress. It passed the Indiana State Senate last year and was adopted as an ALEC model resolution. At least 10 other states are currently considering resolutions that resemble this one. The resolution highlights that the growing debt is not only a fiscal problem but a serious national security concern. The amount of U.S. debt held in foreign nations approaches $10 trillion, as the total debt itself approaches $40 trillion. The amount held in China alone is about $700 billion. Senator Braun's original resolution expressed concerns over a debt that exceeded $34 trillion. The version passed by the American Legislative Exchange Council noted $36 trillion. A version passed by the Alabama Senate earlier this year noted $38.5 trillion. With the speed of the debt's growth, it should be forgiven that the version introduced before the committee notes that it is more than $37 trillion. This is true, but the debt could also be described as also more than $39 trillion. Such is the nature of the debt underlying its seriousness as a threat to our national security. Through the passage of HCR 24, Ohio can be one of the states leading the way, recognizing this threat, and calling on the United States Congress to commit to establishing a regular order for budgeting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to testify today.

Good afternoon, everyone. Chairman Hall, Vice Chair Ferguson, Ranking Member Humphrey, members of the committee, Thank you for the opportunity to provide proponent testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 24. My name is Hannah Cubbins. I serve as Legislative Director for Americans for Prosperity Ohio. AFP supports HCR 24 because it acknowledges a fundamental reality. The national debt is not just a fiscal issue. It is a national security threat that demands urgent attention and structural reform. When sponsor testimony was given on HCR 24 in March, the national debt was estimated to be $37 trillion, roughly 123% of our GDP, with over $100,000 in debt per citizen. That figure has grown at an alarming rate. Today, roughly three months later, the United States' gross national debt is approximately $38.95 trillion, and I am not a mathematician, but that's a pretty significant jump in a very short amount of time, or $113,800 per person. The trajectory is not sustainable. As this resolution correctly recognizes, a significant portion of U.S. debt is held by foreign entities, including geopolitical competitors. That reality introduces clear national security risks, exposing the United States to vulnerabilities that extend far beyond economics. The consequences of federal fiscal mismanagement do not stop at the federal level. As pointed out by the sponsors, rising federal debt increases borrowing costs for state and local governments, it reduces fiscal flexibility in times of crisis, and ultimately it shifts more financial burden onto states when federal resources become constrained. At the same time, growing debt crowds out national priorities. Interest payments on the debt now exceed defense spending, creating long-term tradeoffs between fiscal responsibility and core government functions. HCR 24 does more than identify the problem It urges Congress to commit to a regular order of budgeting process Our current federal budgeting system has repeatedly failed to deliver timely and disciplined appropriations Congress routinely relies on crisis funding measures rather than stable predictable budgeting processes A better path forward requires many reforms, including establishing consistent rules-based budgeting that prevents shutdown-driven decision-making, moving toward a comprehensive budgeting that evaluates all spending and revenue together, implementing predictable spending targets tied to economic growth, and improving accountability for long-term drivers of debt. While the resolution does not prescribe specific reforms, it sends a clear message. The status quo is unacceptable and structural change is necessary. Leaders across multiple administrations have warned that debt poses a national security threat. Former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen, described the national debt as the single biggest threat to our national security. Simply put, a nation burdened by unsustainable debt is less prepared to defend itself economically, militarily, and geopolitically. By passing this resolution, Ohio joins other states in sending a clear signal that fiscal discipline is a bipartisan priority, Structural reform is overdue and the consequences of inaction will be felt not just in Washington, but in states and communities across the country. Thank you for your time today and I'm happy to take questions.

Vice Chair Ferguson has a question for you. Thank you, Chair. And thank you for the testimony. I just like how you connect this national debt to national security and also even mentioned the former Joint Chiefs of Staff. Kentucky's facing big election today. There's a guy that walks around with a debt clock on all the time, Congressman Thomas Massey. And I think this really speaks to how seriously he takes something that should be a bipartisan consideration, which is a serious threat to our national security through the just unraveling debt that we have here in the United States of America. And we need more people to stand up and speak out like yourself, like Congressman Thomas Massey, like people across the country on something that maybe is not the most exciting of issues. Great. Thank you.

Hello. Good afternoon, Chairman Hall, Vice Chair Ferguson, Ranking Member Humphrey, and Member of the Government Oversight Committee. My name is Laire Markham, and I serve as the Ohio Strategic State Director for the LIBER Initiative, a sister organization to Americans for Prosperity and Concerned Veterans for America. Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony in support of House Concurrent Resolution 24, which recognizes the national debt as a threat to both our economic stability and our national security, and urges Congress to please restore responsible budgeting practices. For many of all our communities in Ohio, financial discipline is not a political talking point. It's a way of life. Our parents and grandparents came to this country with very little. They worked long hours, opened small businesses, saved carefully, and taught us a simple principle. You cannot spend more than you earn forever without consequences. That same principle should apply in Washington and to all our legislators. Today, our national debt has surpassed the $38 trillion. These are not abstract numbers. They represent a growing burden on future generations and a direct threat to our economic stability and prosperity. Reckless spending and chronic deficit weakens confidence in our economy, limit future growth, and increase long-term risks for working families. Hispanic families are especially vulnerable to inflation, rising interest rates and the higher cost of living caused by uncontrolled federal spending. Many and mostly money of our households in Ohio are living paycheck to paycheck while striving for that American dream through honest work and sacrifice When Washington overspends our communities feel it all around and they feel it first through higher costs for groceries, housing, utilities, and health care. For immigrant families, that also represents something deeper, dependence and stability. Many of us come to America because we live in freedom, opportunity, and self-reliance. We know through personal or family experience what happens when governments fail to manage their finances responsibly. Government dependence on borrowing creates long-term risks, threatens future generations, and erodes trust in our institutions. House Concurrent Resolution 24 currently recognizes that the national debt is not just an economic issue. It's a national security concern. Excessive debt crowds our national priorities and weakens Americans' ability to respond to future crises. Interest rates on the debt now exceed total U.S. defense spending, raising serious concerns about our national long-term strength and preparedness. Congress must stop governing from crisis to crisis through repeated debt ceiling fights and shutdown threats. Americans deserve leadership that embraces fiscal responsibility, reigns in federal spending, and restores regular order in budgeting. Fiscal discipline is essential to preserving opportunity, economic freedom, and confidence in that American dream. And supporting fiscal responsibility does not mean abandoning compassion. It means ensuring that programs like Social Security and Medicaid remain sustainable for those who depend on them, while protecting future generations from inheriting substantial debt. Ohio has always valued hard work, accountability, and common sense. Hispanic Ohioans share those same values. We believe America's strongest when government lives within its means, protects opportunity, and safeguards the future for all our children and grandchildren. As a proud Hispanic Ohioan who believes deeply in the promise of the American dream, build an opportunity, hard work, family, and responsibility, I respectfully urge you, this committee, to support House Concurrent Resolution 24.

I'll take it away.

Thank you so much, Chair Hall, Vice Chair Ferguson, Ranking Member Humphreys, and the entire committee for the opportunity to provide sponsored testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 29, recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service. When Representative Brennan asked me to help with this resolution, I was very glad to do it. My dad retired from the post office, actually, and he worked just about every position there over the years. So I grew up around postal workers, and I'll tell you this. They definitely deserve recognition. Many of them are veterans who continue to work very long hours in bad weather and deal with people sometimes at their worst. There's a reason for the phrase going postal. that's why that became a phrase because it's a very challenging job and I saw that first hand from my dad every day most people don't realize how demanding of a job it is, but that it's a good job. It put food on our table, it put clothes on our back, and it allowed my mother to stay at home with me and raise me as a kid. And so for that, I will always be grateful. But the post office goes all the way back to 1775, older than this country, when Benjamin Franklin became the first postmaster general. And before we were even officially a country, the founders understood something very important. And it's that if you want a nation to stay together, people have to stay connected. And for 250 years, the Postal Service has done exactly that. It carried letters during wars. It's connected families before we conveniently have phones and emails. And we help small towns stay alive and businesses grow. And honestly, for how massive the operation is, they do a pretty incredible job. The Postal Service delivers more than 160 million addresses in this country, including places no private company would ever consistently go. And they still manage on-time delivery rates in the 90% range for most of their mail. And really, that's an unbelievably amazing logistical operation when you think about it. Most people only notice the mail when something goes wrong, but the fact is that it usually works is pretty amazing. And I'll say something that I know isn't always popular to say amongst my own party, but the post office is not really supposed to be a business. This narrative that we need to privatize the post office, it is not a private company. It is a service. And why is that? Because private companies are not going to drive to someone's house every single day out in the holler in the middle of southern Ohio down a farm road when it's not a very profitable model. And that is exactly why I think the Postal Service is so important, and that matters to people where I come from. I had the chance one time to visit the Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., and one quote there really stuck out with me. It said, the Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the nation together. And I think that's exactly what it's done the last 250 years. In a time where many of us feel divided and disconnected, there's still something very grounding about seeing that mail truck come by your road every single day. So this resolution is just us taking a minute to recognize the people who have quietly kept this country connected for generations, the carriers, the clerks, the drivers, the sorters, the veterans, and the families behind them. So I want to wish the United States Postal Service and its employees another 250 years of service to this great country. Thank you so much to this committee and would be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chair Ferguson, and thank you, Ranking Member Humphrey, although it looks like Rep. Sims might be sitting in today. Is that right? Okay, very good. Well, first I just want to say, you know, the United States Postal System controls information. I'm a big Seinfeld fan, so if you know Newman, you reminded me when you made your comment before about how we have to invoke Newman. And some of the research I did I found out that some of our past postmasters local postmasters Abraham Lincoln Harry S Truman John Brown the abolitionist leader Bing Crosby Walt Disney William Faulkner Sherman Helmsley If you are a fan of All in the Family, not All in the Family, the Jeffersons. For those of you that are younger, you know, funny show, long time ago. Conrad Hilton, Rock Hudson, another old actor. Charles Lindbergh, Newt Rockne, and a bunch of other people you've heard of before. So let me go ahead and present the testimony that I put together for this. Thanks for the opportunity to provide sponsored testimony on a House bill. Excuse me, this is House concurrent resolution. I've never done one of these before. Number 29, recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service and expressing support for its continued strength, efficiency, and accessibility. You know, in the city of Parma, we have a lot of, I got it in there, Rep King, a lot of postal workers that I've known over the years. And one of the things I was thinking about in my walk over here from committee is just the economic engine that the USPS provides for our communities. And one of those is the fact that it employs so many folks in our communities and provides them with good-paying union jobs. I'm honored to join my joint sponsor, Representative Pizzouli, along with a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing this resolution. And thank you, Chair, again, for bringing it up. I know you have a lot of bills in your very busy committee. For 250 years of U.S. Postal Service, over 250 years, the U.S. Postal Service has been one of the most dependable, recognized institutions in our nation. Long before the creation of many federal agencies and even before the founding of our country itself, The Postal Service served as a vital thread connecting communities, commerce, and communication across our growing nation. Today, that mission remains just as important. I know it is to me as a state representative in all of us because we sent out a lot of mail to our constituents and appreciated getting there on time. In communities across Ohio, families, senior citizens, veterans, small business owners, and rural residents rely on the Postal Service every single day. For many seniors and veterans, USPS delivery means timely access to medications and essential correspondence. For small businesses, especially those in local neighborhoods and rural communities, affordable and dependable mail service is critical to reaching customers and sustaining economic activity. Farmers and residents in less populated areas depend on postal carriers to provide consistent service, regardless of geography and weather conditions. every single address six days a week is touched by the United States Postal System. That's amazing. This resolution is not about politics it's about recognizing service reliability and the importance of maintaining a trusted public institution that reaches every address in America. The men and women of the Postal Service deserve recognition for the work they do day in and day out through snowstorms which we get a lot of up in Northeast Ohio, extreme heat which are all feeling today, in difficult conditions, postal employees continue to deliver for the American people. Their commitment reflects a proud tradition of public service that has endured for generations. The resolution also acknowledges the broader role USPS plays in supporting our economy, our democracy, and our communities. A strong coastal service helps businesses compete, keeps families connected, and ensures that Americans in every zip code, urban, suburban, and rural alike, have equal access to reliable mail service. As we recognize this historic 250th anniversary, House Concurrent Resolution 229 sends a simple but important message Ohio values the United States Postal Service appreciates its employees and supports continued efforts to ensure its long strength and accessibility for generations to come I do want to shout out my excellent letter carrier on Hampstead Avenue in Parma James Hume, who may be watching, although he's probably out busy right now. And I also want to shout out some fine public servants up in Northeast Ohio, Eric Poston, who is the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 40, Nigel Saleem of the American Postal Workers Union Local 72. They and their members are just incredible Ohioans and incredible Americans. And of course, one of them wanted me to mention that they encourage everyone to get out and vote, and vote using their absentee ballot because they feel it's a very safe, effective way of voting. I appreciate the committee's consideration of this resolution. Respectfully ask for its favorable passage. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. And as my joint sponsor said before, we'd be glad to answer any questions if you have them.

Yes.

I have to go first, she said. She's the boss. Chairman Hall, Vice Chair Ferguson, Ranking Member Humphrey, members of the Ohio House, and that's changed. Is it ranking member Sims now? No, okay. I'm trying to give you a promotion here. So thank you for rearranging the schedule. I had my own committee that I was chairing, and so we had to do that first. But I'm grateful for Representative Lear allowing me to join her on House Bill 320 to streamline fairness, equity, and integrity in Ohio's primary election process. And that is, let me say that again, that's the goal of House Bill 320, is to ensure equity, integrity, and honesty in Ohio's primaries. Partisan primaries serve a purpose in the election process that is different from that of the general election. The purpose should not be easily thwarted. We don't all fall into the same category. I've got some Democrat friends right here in this committee. Rep. Rader and I were just texting a while ago about different things. And Ranking Member Humphrey and I have a bill that we passed together in a bipartisan fashion, as did Representative Brewer and I. Both of them were unanimous coming through the legislature. There's a lot of things that we agree on. And as I said during my orientation, when I first was elected in the orientation process, I was speaking to one of our Democratic colleagues. I said, there's some things we'll never agree on, but there's some things we will agree on. It's sort of like the Venn diagram, right? You know and there some things in the middle where we can all agree but there some things that in fact I was talking to Representative Robinson on our way to caucus You Democrats and Republicans were having our caucus at the same time and he looked at me a little envious and he said are you all having lunch? I said, this all can be yours, too, if you just switch parties. And he said, no, thank you. And why is that? That's because there are some core values that we all hold dearly that lean us either to one party or to the other, although there are truly some independent voters out there. And so I carried similar legislation in the last General Assembly, and I know that you did as well, Chairman Hall. But there are simply two types of legitimate pushbacks that we received. The first was the question about independent voters,

Thank you, joint sponsor. Thank you, Chair Hall, Vice Chair Ferguson, Representative Sims, and remaining members of the committee. I am so grateful to be able to be here with my joint sponsor, Gary Click, to talk to you. House Bill 320 and why we think it's important that we close our primaries. Samuel Ronan, a known Democrat, tried to primary Congressman Kerry in this 2026 primary. A federal judge ruled Ronan lied about being a Republican, according to news articles, which in my testimony I've referenced for you in case you wish to look them up. and he ruled this way based upon Ronan's campaign website platform supporting universal health care, his views concerning immigration and the border, which included abolishing ICE. He also noted that Ronan had previously run as a Democrat for the Ohio House and for chair of the U.S. Democratic National Committee. Ronan himself had said, quote, leftists need to infiltrate Republican spaces and primary them, end quote. Representative Click touched on Operation Chaos, a Republican plan to mess with the 2008 Democratic primary. And in another Ohio example, in 2022, national groups like the Daily Kos urged, quote, as many Ohio Democrats as possible must respect or must request a Republican ballot on May 3rd and back State Senator Matt Dolan for Ohio Senate and incumbent Governor Mike DeWine in their GOP primary matchups. This article from Daily Kos was published April 21, 2022, less than two weeks before the primary. While on the campaign trail myself over the past year, just one of my volunteers encountered nearly a dozen registered Republicans who stated they were not interested in Republican information since they were Democrats and only voted in Republican primaries to, quote, screw with, end quote, Republican outcomes. It happens on both sides. And Democrats and Republicans both should have the right to choose their own representatives to go to the general elections. Importantly, House Bill 320 does not prevent any eligible Ohioan from voting in a primary or a general election. Rather, it preserves the integrity of the nominating process for political parties while maintaining every voter's right to fully participate in our electoral system. It's time to end the shenanigans. I would also like to note that this legislation has received, as of this week, support from organizations advocating for election integrity and stronger party accountability, including turning point action. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify. We would be happy to try to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you, Chairman. So I agree with kind of what RepClick said and the intent and we want people here in our own parties and I like the closed primary system But I do feel and what I have heard and I curious if you have a input on this There are Democrats that live in the reddest of counties and Republicans that live in the bluest of counties. There are very big differences between Democrat, maybe five Democrats in a primary, five Republicans. And the argument is there's nobody else to vote for. If I don't vote in the opposite party election, I'm literally going to get no say so in who represents me. And maybe they agree with these people on a couple issues. Have you heard in researching this any solace, I guess, for those people is more what I'm looking for.

Follow up.

Sure. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you both for putting this forward. Thank you, Representative Click, for taking some of my questions earlier and chatting about this, because I do think we need reform. I think that's clear our system doesn't work the way it should be working. But kind of following on Representative Ferguson's comments, I actually worked in primaries in New Jersey and in New York, more so in New Jersey, two cycles, 2016 and 2017. And part of my job was going and registering young people to vote, try to get them to fill out the card, register at the party so they could go vote. We thought we did a good job, but then you find out on election day a lot of people show up, you know, ostensibly. I was a Democratic primary. It was really a Democratic-run state at that moment. So they showed up to vote, and they weren't eligible because they didn't follow the procedure. They hadn't gotten in early enough to get that card in. They were registered to vote, certainly, but they couldn't. It just created more loophole, more barriers for folks to vote, especially young people. It was hard because this is maybe the first, second time they had voted. Certainly were either independent or on our side of the aisle. The system just didn't seem to be working right. So I'm just worried about unintended consequences. There's something we have to fix here, but is this going to create more barriers at the end of the day and ultimately shrink the pool of people selecting who the representatives are, especially young people who are trying to navigate this system for the first time.

May I add to that, Chair?

And to add to her, excellent response is, thank you for the question, very legitimate. And we want more voters, not fewer voters. We want high participation. It's really disappointing sometimes to see how low the participation is in an election. And so what I would say is, partially to answer that question, is if this were to take effect, whatever – we are already – most of us are already registered with a party by the primary ballot that we select. And so whatever that official designation is now would continue for you, for that person. And as we're registering new voters, that would be a part of just the registration process, name, address, cities. We already know. Hopefully the state's Ohio if they're registering in Ohio. And then, you know, would you like to register as a Republican, a Democrat, or an independent? And let me just also be clear here. If there are good suggestions on how we can implement the purpose and the intent of this bill but avoid those unintended consequences, we're both all ears. We don't want to present obstacles to anything except chaos and interference. That's the only thing we wanted to disrupt. But we certainly don't want to disrupt young people registering or voting. and so if you have ideas, you know, you and I have a great relationship, I'd be happy to talk to you at any time.

Thank you, Chair Hall, Vice Chair Ferguson, Ranking Member Sims today. members of the House Government Oversight Committee. I want to thank you for the opportunity to provide sponsored testimony on House Bill 539. This would designate February 4th as Thaddeus Kosciusko Day in Ohio. And I'm probably not going to say it more than one or two times. Sorry. But this bill, it has a direct connection to the district that I represent. and around the Dublin and Liberty Township border area, near Riverside Drive, Powell Road, there's a historical marker in a large glacial boulder recognizing the Casaco lands. This land was once tied to the general who was a Polish patriot he was a military engineer and he was one of our heroes here in the American Revolution Many Ohioans drive through this part of central Ohio without knowing the history behind it They'll see the Scioto River, the O'Shaughnessy Dam, and the Columbus Zoo, and the surrounding homes and landscapes, but they may not realize that one of the markers along the route connects our community to a man who helped serve the cause of the American independence. The general was born on February 4, 1746, in what was then the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, so Poland, Lithuania, Baltic states. He came to America during the Revolutionary War, as many other Europeans did, and offered his skill. And the general was an exceptional military engineer to the Continental Army. His work was especially important at Saratoga, where he helped build defenses and helped the Continental Army hold a strong position against the British forces and contributed to our victory at Saratoga, which was one of the key turning points in the Revolutionary War. General Kosciuszko's legacy is much larger than his military service. He believed deeply in liberty. He opposed slavery. He was a close friend of Thomas Jefferson, and he left his American estate, which is in my district, with the intention of helping purchase the freedom and education of slaves at that time. But always being a freedom fighter, he returned back to Europe and continued fighting for the independence of Poland. And, you know, this is why his recognition matters. The general never got to see his land here in Ohio that carried his name, but that connection remains very strong here in Dublin, Liberty Township, Powell his story is still marked and many of the school children in the local school districts Dublin will entangy get to learn about it but I just wanted to bring this forward with our 250th birthday we have so many great people that have contributed to all the freedoms that we have today from a myriad of different backgrounds and experiences and a day of recognition for the general is just something extra special that we can do in just this greatest year of our country to date. So appreciate your time. Happy to answer any questions that you might have. Thank you,