Happy Abraham Lincoln’s 200^th Birthday.

            2008 was an outstanding year for me in the Ohio General Assembly and I have you to thank for making it all possible.  Without your support in 2008, I would have been unable to accomplish the things you sent me to Columbus to do.

            I wanted to write you today to explain just a few highlights for 2008 and explain how your support made it all possible.

            HOUSE BILL 7

            Every session of the Ohio General Assembly the majority caucus selects several priority issue to work on over the two year time period.  Those issues turn into bills and are given the ten first bill numbers.  Key legislators are selected to manage those bills according to their ability and interest.

            House Bill 7 was the bill to reform adoption in the state of Ohio and I actively sought its selection as a priority issue and bill and the appointment to manage the bill.  Adoption is a Pro Life issue and as the leader in Pro Life issue in the Ohio General Assembly as proclaimed by Family First, Ohio Right to Life, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati and Ohio Christian Coalition; it was only natural that I would be selected to write, introduce and manage the bill.

            Two years of hard work paid off when on December 17, 2008 both houses of the Ohio General Assembly passed House Bill 7 unanimously and it was sent to the Governor for his signature in early January of 2009.

            Programs to make it easier, quicker and less expensive to adopt children in Ohio were made law.  Very successful programs to find adoptive parents in the Cleveland Area will now be instituted statewide.  Children who were hung out to dry and “time out” in the system, literally to stay in foster care without any hope of being adopted, were free for loving families looking to adopt.

            I have cut taxes and beat back the encroachment of government into our daily lives but nothing and I mean nothing made me more proud than passage of House Bill 7 into law.

            I promised to be 100 percent Pro Life.  Not only to stop abortion but also to promote loving families for all children in Ohio.  You have been supporting me for years in this efforts and I could not have accomplished this without that support.

            HOUSE BILL 351

            In many ways, Columbus is a dream world lost in the reality that the 88 counties, 512 cities and villages and over 1,600 townships have to deliver services to the local population.  It would be easy to drive back and forth to Columbus for session and ignore local issues, but that would not have been doing the job you expected me to do.

            Hamilton County faced a problem with jail space.  Quite frankly, Todd Portune and recently David Pepper, had diverted millions of dollars into low or no priority projects (like the Film Commission and County Advertising) and neglected to set aside the funds necessary to house our prisoners.  Their answer was, of course, create a crisis and pass a new tax to build a huge jail without allotting one penny to run the facility.

            Working with the local legislative delegation, I introduced a bill that would allow the county to place prisoners in Kentucky jail at half the cost of housing the prisoners in the County jail.  That is right; it cost $45 per day in the Hamilton County jail and $22 in the Campbell County jail and get this, the Campbell County jail in Newport is closer to the Courthouse at Ninth and Main than the Workhouse in Queensgate!

            This was a common sense idea that saved valuable tax dollars, gave the commissioners the flexibility that claimed they did not have, and everyone agreed upon.  It is now the law in the State of Ohio.

            You sent me to Columbus to solve problems.  I firmly believe that it does not take more money to solve every problem.  In fact, some out of the box thinking is expected and House Bill 361 is an excellent example of ideas that work.

            HOUSE BILL 420

            But many times you need to know where the problem is in government in order to fix it.

            That is why I introduced the Taxpayer Accountability and Transparency Act early in 2008 an fought so hard for its passage.  Almost every document created by government today is done so on a computer, but very few of those documents are available on line so that taxpayers like you and me can research and find out; “What the Heck is going on with our money?”  I found this out first hand when I was investigating how and where the Clean Ohio bond money was being spent.  What a mess!

            We must have all government programs out in the open so honorable legislators can do the work you sent me to Columbus to do.  Ronald Reagan said government is the problem and he was right.  But we cannot fix the problem unless we can find it, shine the light of day upon it and come up with real ideas that get the job done better for taxpayers.

            Despite its late introduction in the session; House Bill 420 was an idea whose time had come and it was embraced both Republican and Democrats and Legislative and Executive leaders.  It passed unanimously in both houses of the Ohio General Assembly and by mid 2009 we will see information heretofore hidden from you and me, posted for easy access on the Internet.

            Being named “Watchdog of the Treasury” means more than passing the 21 percent income tax cut.  It also means watching government expenses and making those expenses easy to access.

            YOUR FANTASTIC SUPPORT

            Once again this was the reason you sent me to Columbus and solve the problems that face our state.  I could not have done it without you fantastic and steadfast support.

            Many of you took advantage of the Ohio Political Contribution Tax Credit in 2008 and you need to fill out line 55 on this your Ohio Income Tax Form and get every penny you donated to me back.  Hundreds of taxpayers take advantage of this program for me every year and for that I am grateful.

            Now it is time to make this years contribution.  I need you to take advantage of the Ohio Political Contribution tax Credit this year, in 2009, by making your check payable to Brinkman Campaign Committee for $100 per couple or $50 per single person  and mailing it to: Brinkman Campaign Committee

                            P. O. Box 9714

                            Cincinnati, OH  45209

            You can also make a contribution on line.  Just click on the “Donate” button at the top right of this page.

            Republicans, fiscal conservatives and pro life voters face the most daunting political climate since 1993 when both Congress and the President were in liberal Democrat hands and the Ohio House of Representatives was also liberal Democrat.

            Quite frankly, we need to get our “dander up” and begin to build the resources now, to fight the battle right around the corner.  The Ohio Political Contribution Tax Credit lets YOU direct where $100 of your tax money goes.  Either you give it to Governor Ted Strickland and bureaucrats to misspend on wasteful programs or you give it to Brinkman Campaign Committee to be used to fight for lower taxes and less government.

            Please help me by writing your check today for $100 per couple to Brinkman Campaign Committee and mailing it in today.  You do not have to use an Abraham Lincoln Commemorative stamp, but your prompt action is certainly needed and appreciated.

                                                                        Sincerely yours,

                                                                        Tom Brinkman Jr.

The following is an excerpt from the Dayton Daily News’s article endorsing Tom Brinkman in the GOP primary over Jean Schmidt. Click HERE to read the full article.

Rep. Jean Schmidt’s close calls in two elections are not the only reason Republicans in her district are well-advised to see if they can find a better candidate.

She has been known to speak favorably of having nuclear waste from around the world stored in Pike County. (That could bring jobs, but not the sort that would do the most for the county.)

When the scandal broke about wounded war veterans getting poor treatment at the outpatient facility at the Walter Reed complex in Washington, she said the whole thing was overblown in the media. (In time, though, President Bush decided heads needed to roll.)

She has circulated newspaper columns under her name that were not written by her or even her staff, but by a central Republican office.

And a state board ruled that she had exaggerated her education and falsely claimed two endorsements.

Add these embarrassments to the episode in which she publicly scolded decorated former Marine John Murtha, a congressman, that “cowards cut and run; Marines never do.”

The 2nd District and Ohio need to be represented by somebody whose reputation is not connected to such bush-league mistakes.

As this year approached, there was much ferment within Republican circles about Rep. Schmidt’s seat. Several names were mentioned as possible opponents. Now, however, the race is down to the incumbent and state Rep. Tom Brinkman, of Cincinnati.

(Young newcomer Nathan Bailey is running a low-profile “Internet-based” race, saying he could unite the party, because he carries less political baggage than the others.)

Like the incumbent, Rep. Brinkman (who was one of the people she beat in 2005) is very intensely conservative. He is distressingly big into hot-button social issues such as abortion and gun control. He sued Miami University over its awarding of benefits to same-sex partners.

However, in four terms in Columbus, Rep. Brinkman has earned an improving reputation. He likes to point to a magazine poll that labeled him the Statehouse’s “most principled” legislator.

He supported moderate Jim Petro over right-winger J. Kenneth Blackwell for governor, saying, among other things, that Mr. Blackwell’s anti-tax plan would have hurt local governments. (Some people say personal animosities were at play involving Cincinnati politics.)

Rep. Brinkman does show at least one sign of moderation. He says that when he ran for the legislature eight years ago, the main thing he wanted to do was cut taxes. He says he has since learned that there’s a more important consideration in building an economy: improving the quality of education.

That’s a sacrilege in his political circles. But he argues that places that are thriving more than Ohio — he notes Chicago and New York — don’t have lower taxes, just a better work force.

Rep. Brinkman could represent the district better than the incumbent and probably be a stronger candidate in November.

Tom Brinkman today blasted Jean Schmidt for her vote in favor of sending tax rebates to “resident aliens” who, under the bill, aren’t required to prove they are legal residents of the United States in order to receive the rebate.

“This is just one more example of Jean Schmidt’s inability to recognize a bad piece of legislation. Fortunately the Senate was a little more cautious,” said Brinkman. “First she votes to bring a nuclear waste dump to our district and now this. We need to restore effective leadership for the citizens of Southern Ohio.”

Congressman Tom Tancredo, a Colorado Republican known for his sharp stance against illegal immigration, had sharp words for the bill, too.

“This package will stimulate one thing for certain: more illegal immigration,” said Tancredo. “It’s just the latest unfortunate example of American workers footing the bill for illegal aliens. Worse, a large portion of this money will just be sent back to the home countries of illegal aliens,” concluded Tancredo. “So it might stimulate someone’s economy – just not ours.”

FOX News has more details here.

Jean Schmidt’s vote to give tax rebates to illegals can be viewed here.

For your convenience, we have just added a new page on the Brinkman for Congress website to help you request an absentee or early voting ballot.

Visit our “Vote Now!” page, select the county you are registered to vote in, and follow the instructions to apply for an early voting ballot.

Be sure to clearly mark “Tom Brinkman” as your choice for the 2nd Congressional District.

Washington, D.C. – Tom Brinkman, a Republican vying for Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District seat, recently signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). The Pledge commits signers to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”

ATR has offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987. To date, President George W. Bush, 41 U.S. senators, and 194 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed the Pledge. Additionally, seven Governors and over 1,200 state legislators have signed the Pledge.

“Americans, now more than ever, need leaders committed to fiscal responsibility and pro-growth economic policies,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR.

“By signing the Pledge, Tom Brinkman demonstrates his allegiance to hard-working taxpayers nationwide, as well as dedication to taxpayers in Ohio. I applaud him for his leadership and dedication to the ideals of limited government.”

“I strongly encourage every candidate for federal and state elective office to sign the Pledge,”Norquist continued.

Copies of the Pledge are available at www.atr.org or by calling (202) 785-0266.

Representative Tom Brinkman supports efforts to make government spending and contract decisions available online and easily visible to taxpayers, rather than requiring in-person checks.

Tom testified this week in support of HB 420, and his audio testimony is available via podcast by clicking this link to The Buckeye Institute.

The Columbus Dispatch blog has the story, it is also reprinted below:

Brinkman: Click and check on state $$$

State Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr. gets it. Let’s hope his colleagues do, as well.

The Cincinnati Republican testified this week in support of House Bill 420, his proposed “taxpayer transparency and accountability bill.”

The legislation would require the state to set up a free, easily searched database detailing state grants, contracts and spending by Jan. 1, 2009. The bill is modeled after the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

The federal act led to the creation of usaspending.gov, a website that allows taxpayers to check federal spending. The site, however, still needs to be made much more user friendly.

Brinkman realizes in-person, paper record searches are an antiquated, and inconvenient, means of obtaining information on government spending.

“In today’s digital society, information that is not available online is only nominally public,” he testified.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mr. Heimlich’s departure from the race this morning has radically altered the election-day landscape, giving Tom Brinkman more volunteers, more money, and more attention – in short, all of the things a campaign needs to win. If Republicans in the 2nd District want a candidate who will control spending, limit government, and take a stand for life and liberty, Tom Brinkman is the clear choice, and his record proves it.

“The news today doesn’t change the fact that I am still the challenger in this race,” Brinkman said, “but my record, after having twice earned the “Most Principled Legislator” title in Ohio gives me a clear advantage, and I will work tirelessly to earn that same title in Washington.”

Tom Brinkman was twice given the honor of “Most Principled Legislator” by fellow legislators, members of the media, and government staff, and is making that honor the centerpiece of his campaign.

Tom Brinkman will release a statement this afternoon reacting to Phil Heimlich’s withdrawal from the race. Check back here for updates.

State Representative Tom Brinkman filed the required petitions today at 11:00a.m. at the Hamilton County Board of Elections seeking to become the Republican nominee for the 2nd District Congressional Seat. Tom used the opportunity to make a statement to the media as to why he is the right choice to represent the people of our district.

“The Second District is dangerously close to being lost to the Democrats”, Brinkman said, “We need a candidate that can bring out the Republican voters to ensure a win in that district as well as help for the Presidential election. I am that candidate.” Brinkman continued, “Republicans consistently come out to support me because I have consistently supported the values and principles of the Party. I have stood firm on lower taxes and limited government and kept my promises.”

Mr. Brinkman handed out a flyer with the percentage of vote totals from the 2006 election that clearly showed he is the candidate in this race that brings out the Republican vote.

State Representative Tom Brinkman today filed a notice with the Federal Election Commission that he is a candidate for Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District.

In his seven-year career as a State Representative, Brinkman was twice voted “Most Principled” legislator by members of the media, the Governor’s staff, and his own colleagues in the House.

“It will be my goal to earn the same honor in Washington D.C.,” Brinkman said.

Brinkman’s record also includes winning the Family First “Champion” Award for his leadership on pro-family issues, including legislation promoting adoption and other pro-life causes, his efforts to make higher education more affordable for families, and his work defending the institution of marriage.

But perhaps his most well-known achievement, even among Democrats and environmentalists, was his leadership in eliminating the highly unpopular “E-Check” program.

“I promised to eliminate E-Check, and when I got to Columbus, I delivered on that promise. I will represent Ohioans in Washington as I have for eight years in Ohio, by pushing for common sense in government.”

Brinkman takes his job as a representative of the people, and his promises to his constituents very seriously. Over the span of his seven-year career as a State Representative, he has maintained an active presence within the community and has never voted for a tax increase.Tom Brinkman, age 50, a lifelong resident of Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, resides in Mt. Lookout with his wife and six children. He is currently serving his fourth term in the Ohio House of Representatives.