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Get registered and vote

If you are attempting to find another example of how quickly time passes, you don’t have to look very far. There’s one coming up Monday, for instance. That’s the deadline to register to vote in Ohio’s May 6 primary election. It probably doesn’t seem so long ago that many of us were caught up in the 2024 elections. But five months have passed, and we’re well into the next voting cycle. This spring’s election does not carry all of the drama that was associated with last fall’s vote. But that doesn’t mean anyone should plan on sitting this one out. Every ...

Guest column/The dishonest ‘townhall’ push

Beginning in March, a coordinated campaign was launched to pressure Republicans with aggressive, threatening and disrespectful calls, mostly from non-constituents, to host satellite DNC rallies in their districts, inappropriately dubbed “townhalls.” This effort is being funded by left-wing organizations and amplified by the failing Democrat Party infrastructure in a dishonest attempt to stage a grassroots movement. In recent days, I’ve received requests from multiple media outlets misrepresenting my accessibility to constituents and questioning the work I’ve done to represent ...

Guest column/Your story’s not over: Turn the page and keep writing

On April 16, we observe World Semicolon Day, a day that symbolizes hope and resilience for those facing mental health challenges. The semicolon, used when an author chooses to continue a sentence rather than end it, represents the decision to persist through hard times and adversity. This symbol has become a powerful emblem in the mental health community, signifying that one’s story is not over. In Ohio, the need for mental health awareness and resources is pressing. Approximately 1,906,000 adults in our state live with a mental health condition — more than four times the ...

Guest column/Empowering future leaders: Institute for political leadership

Ohio’s future depends on strong, capable leaders who understand the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. But leadership doesn’t just happen — it requires preparation, training and a deep understanding of the responsibilities that come with public service. That’s why the Ohio Chamber of Commerce is proud to launch the Ohio Institute for Political Leadership, a nonpartisan initiative dedicated to recruiting and training pro-business individuals who are ready to step up and lead. There are 20,642 elected or appointed positions in the state of Ohio, and 91 percent ...

Guest column/Medicare Advantage helps W.Va. retirees, seniors, communities

As a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and a public-school teacher, I’m keenly aware of the need to help support our retirees as they transition from their careers to their golden years. In West Virginia, more than 50 percent of eligible Medicare seniors have chosen a Medicare Advantage plan. Most retired state employees, as well as retirees coming from public and higher education, who are Medicare eligible, access the high-quality, affordable health coverage that they need to help make that transition a smooth one through Medicare Advantage plans provided by the West ...

If you had three wishes … what would they be?

When we are little, our parents tells us fairy tales as we lie awake in bed, listening to their every word. We are young. We are impressionable. We believe their every syllable. Why? Because they are our parents, our first teachers. They provide the first values that we have. And while we are lying in bed, listening to their voice, they impress upon us thoughts of princesses and magical kingdoms. Happy endings, always. But then we grow up. We ultimately learn that life is not a fairy tale, and many of us are filled with disappointment. We discover that those happy ...