Thursday, December 15, 2011

KEEPING THEM HONEST: DID GOP STATE REP. CHRISTINA HAGAN SEEK TO SPONSOR DEM REP BOB HAGAN'S BILL TO REQUIRE "ALL" RECIPIENTS OF STATE FUNDING TO FIRST HAVE PASSED A DRUG TEST?


Earlier this month Ron Ponder of Points to Ponder (WHBC - 1480 AM) had appointed Republican state Representative Christina Hagan on his radio program.

Initially the conversation was about H.B. No. 368 sponsored by Hagan.  It is a bill  "to create the Long-range Financial Outlook Council for the purpose of informing the public and the General Assembly about the financial status of the state by studying financial and other conditions and issuing an annual long-range financial outlook report

Creating more government proposed by a person who says she is for smaller government?  Hmm?

But anyhow, the discussion quickly turned to a bill passed recently by the state of Florida requiring welfare recipients to pass a drug test as a condition of receiving welfare benefits.

A bill recently introduced in Ohio is a take off of the Florida legislation.


Ponder asked Hagan whether or not she supported state Sen. Schaffer's bill?

Answer:  pretty much of a yes but she did express concern for the children of welfare receiving parents and what their fate would be in the face of the family being cut off from its only source of income.

Ponder then turned to asking about the fairness of singling out welfare recipients as compared to many others (included state legislators) who, of course, receive state monies.

Hagan then brought up Democrat Robert Hagan's H.B. No. 343.


Again, here is what she said:


Though she gratuitously presents herself as a especially devoted religious person, the SCPR had just an inkling that Christina Hagan was not being fully honest in her characterization of her involvement with Democrat Hagan and his bill.

Accordingly, The Report contacted Bob Hagan and here is his response to Christina's claim:

On Wed, 12/7/11, District60 <District60@ohr.state.oh.us> wrote:

From: District60 <District60@ohr.state.oh.us>
Subject: RE: HB 343
To: "'Martin Olson'" <tramols@att.net>
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 10:46 AM

Hi Martin,
 
The process for signing on as a co-sponsor in the Ohio House is pretty straight forward. It is usually done electronically through the e-mail system. The co-sponsor request went out to all Democrats and Republicans in the House on 9/1/2011. Everyone is afforded a reasonable opportunity to reply “yes” or “sign me on” -or simply call my office line and leave a message indicating they would like to co-sponsor the proposed legislation (In this case by 9/30/2011). Rep. C. Hagan never did these things. As I understand it, she did leave two messages with my aide, asking that I call her back. I was unable to call her back before the legislation was introduced. I can only assume she wanted to change the legislation or offer some alteration to the bill.
 
Rep. C. Hagan is still able to add her name as a co-sponsor if her caucus ever brings this legislation up for consideration.
 
Bob


 
Rep. Hagan has asked that members wishing to co-sponsor this legislation do so by tomorrow at noon. Additionally, this legislation will extend to members of financial institutions that received T.A.R.P. money.
Thanks!
Jordan
Jordan Plottner
Legislative Aide
 
State Representative Robert F. Hagan
Youngstown, Ohio
614.466.9435

While it true that Christian Hagan did contact Bob Hagan's office relative to H.B. No. 343, that is a long way from becoming a co-sponsor of the bill as she clearly implied she was intent on doing in her conversation with Ponder.

Bob Hagan point is there is nothing to prevent Christina from signing on even as this blog is being written.

Christina Hagan as co-sponsor of H.B. No. 343, fact or fiction?

Well, unless and until she actually signs on as a co-sponsor, a fair minded person would have to say that it is fiction, no?

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