Matt Huffman Consultants/Lobbyists Seize Control of Ohio House Republican Alliance by Scott Pullins
Having lobbyists in control of House Campaign Committee is a recipe for disaster.
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Matt Huffman Consultants/Lobbyists Seize Control of Ohio House Republican Alliance by Scott Pullins Having lobbyists in control of House Campaign Committee is a recipe for disaster. Read on Substack
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Mount Vernon, Ohio – Former Ohio Speaker Larry Householder was arraigned and pled Not Guilty today in a case that should have never been brought, in a county where it doesn’t belong, that is at most a Misdemeanor, where the Statute of Limitations has long ago run. The similarities to the political prosecution of Donald Trump by Alvin Bragg in New York City are eerily similar.
This investigation and the charges are a blatant abuse of legal authority and taxpayer dollars. There is no prohibition under Ohio law that prevents a candidate or officeholder from using campaign funds to pay for criminal attorneys to defend against campaign or public office related charges. The sole authority is a handful of old Advisory Opinions from the Ohio Elections Commission that are not binding on the courts. In fact, federal law and many state laws recognize that campaign funds may be used to defend against criminal charges that arise solely because of actions taken as an officeholder and/or candidate. Dave Yost knows this. That’s why he brought two complaints against Mr. Householder and the campaign committee in the Ohio Elections Commission nearly four years ago. The Ohio Elections Commission, under statute, has sole authority over the matter of the legal fees. AG (Aspiring Governor) Dave Yost has proven time and time again that he hates the First Amendment. Let’s not forget that during the civil litigation over HB 6 he attempted to impose an unconstitutional gag order over Larry Householder that would have prevented him from talking about HB 6 or any other matter while he was amid his re-election campaign. In his own words, Yost brought these charges in order to prevent Mr. Householder from being able to run for or otherwise serve in public office if his federal appeal is successful. We are very confident in the criminal defense team that has been assembled. We hope the public will soon recognize this case as what it is, a political vendetta brought by an overly aggressive and ambitious AG (Aspiring Governor). Thank you. -30- WRITTEN TESTIMONY
MAY 29, 2024 By Scott A. Pullins Attorney & Counselor at Law Pullins Law Firm LLC www.pullinslaw.com 110 East Gambier Street, Suite 3 Mount Vernon, OH 43050 740.392.3505 before the Government Oversight Committee of the Ohio House of Representatives On H.B. 1 135th General Assembly Special Session Chairman Peterson, Vice Chairman Thomas, Ranking Member Humphrey and members of the Government Oversight Committee, thank you for the opportunity to give written testimony on H.B. 1. My name is Scott Pullins and I am a longtime election law attorney. I have regularly appeared since 2004 before the Ohio Elections Commission and the Federal Elections Commission on behalf of legal clients. Over the years I have prosecuted numerous election law complaints on behalf of candidates, political parties, and political action committees. I have also defended numerous complaints on behalf of candidates, political parties, and political action committees. Additionally, I have been involved over the years on behalf of local liquor option elections, zoning issues, and other issue-based campaigns. I write to you today to express my strong support for H.B. 1. I want to acknowledge and thank State Representative Seitz both for bringing this legislation forward and for his willingness to listen closely and take suggestions. H.B. 1 is very simple legislation. It simply prohibits foreign nationals, as they have long been defined under both state and federal laws, from contributing or spending money in Ohio elections. Unlike the Senate passed legislation, this bill does not prohibit Permanent Residents with Green Cards from donating as they have long been permitted to do. I have heard concerns expressed about new language requiring that the Ohio Elections Commission refer violations of the foreign giving ban only to the Attorney General of Ohio. I have no concerns about this language. I would have concerns, as did the County Prosecutors Association of Ohio, in referring all Commission cases to the Attorney General. Referrals to prosecution by the Ohio Elections Commission are extremely rare. In fact, during the long history of the Ohio Elections Commission they have only referred a total of seven cases to the Franklin County Prosecutor. Most recently I was lead counsel on behalf of a complainant that brought an extensive complaint against former Governor’s candidate Joe Blystone. Despite the vast evidence of his egregious misconduct, the Commission still did not want to refer the case for prosecution. The case did end in the largest monetary fine ever levied against a Ohio political candidate along with an agreement by Mr. Blystone to not seek public office again for a period of five years. Ohio law is woefully behind in updating its overall campaign finance legislation. Nonetheless, the purposes of this Special Session are solely limited to two items: foreign donations and placing President Biden on the Ohio general election ballot. I will be more than happy to assist the Committee in the future on additional campaign finance issues as they arise. Thank you. Image via Pexels Are you ready to turn your big dreams into reality? The first step towards business success begins by launching in your community. By leveraging potential opportunities within the local market, starting small can lead to great rewards. Learn how you can get started quickly by reading this blog post.
Know All You Can About Entrepreneurship Even if you already have an informal background in business, it’s still a good idea to earn a professional degree or take rigorous online courses to gain insights into industry trends. An MBA will give you a solid foundation and set you up for success when launching a business in your local community. With many universities offering fantastic online programs, it’s never been easier to earn an online MBA while managing your existing lifestyle and commitments. It may sound expensive, but the potential benefits far outweigh any costs. Have a Business Plan Before you even think of starting your business, it is important to create a business plan. This should include details such as the type of business you are creating, what services or products you will offer, who your target market is, how much money you need to get started, and how you plan on making money. Having all this information written down in one place will help keep you organized and focused on achieving your goals. Calculate Startup Costs Startup costs quickly add up when starting a business so it's best to calculate these costs upfront before getting too far into the process. Things like office space rental fees, equipment purchases, marketing materials, and employee salaries should all be taken into consideration when calculating startup costs so that there are no surprises down the line. Also, consider taking out loans or finding investors to cover unexpected expenses that may arise during the startup process. Implement Sound Accounting Practices Keeping track of finances is one of the most important aspects of running a successful business so make sure you implement sound accounting habits from day one. This way, you avoid problems that come from a lack of financial organization. Consider hiring an accountant to keep your finances organized and better keep track of taxes owed each year. Register as an LLC When starting a business, it is important to register as an LLC (limited liability company) with the state to protect yourself from potential lawsuits or other legal issues that may arise in running your business. Registering as an LLC also provides tax benefits and helps establish credibility for your new venture, which can be beneficial when seeking out investors or customers. Market Your Business Marketing is essential for any successful business but it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of ways to market your products and services affordably such as using social media platforms or setting up booths at local events or festivals. Additionally, consider creating promotional materials such as flyers or brochures which can be distributed in the community to reach potential customers that may not otherwise know about your business. Business cards are essential for networking opportunities with potential customers or partners. Consider designing them yourself using free online templates to save money. As you attend local networking events, hand out these cards to make connections with people who might be interested in what you have to offer. Starting a small business takes hard work, but it can also be very rewarding, especially when it serves your community. Take heed of the steps above, and you’re well on your way to serving your community! Image: Pexels
Small business owners need to be prepared for the unexpected. The best way to do this is by having an effective financial safety net in place. This will ensure that your business can weather any financial storm and come out on top. In this blog post, Scott Pullins shares how to create a financial safety net for your small business. Obtaining Adequate Insurance Coverage Having enough business insurance is another way to protect yourself from any unforeseen costs or losses that may arise in the future. Make sure you have adequate coverage for all aspects of your business including property damage, liability claims, personal injury claims, and workers’ compensation claims. This will help protect your assets in case something unexpected happens. Forming a Limited Liability Company If you don’t already have one, consider converting your business into an LLC (limited liability company). Doing so helps protect your personal assets by shielding them from any potential liabilities or debts incurred by the company itself. Forming an LLC can be done either by hiring a lawyer or using a formation service, which is much more cost-effective. Before settling on the final choice, make sure to do some research and read reviews to ensure you select the best formation service for your needs. Accumulating a Reserve Fund Building an emergency fund is a vital step in protecting your business. This should be done as soon as possible and should include enough capital to cover at least 6 months of expenses. Doing this will give you peace of mind knowing that you will have enough money to cover any unexpected costs or losses that may arise. Applying for Grants Applying for grants can also help provide additional funding when needed without having to incur debt or put a strain on cash flow reserves. There are many grants available through government agencies and private organizations that may fit well with what your business needs and provide much-needed capital when needed most. Do thorough research and consider applying for multiple grants. Leveraging Cloud Technology Another way to create a financial safety net is by utilizing cloud-based systems. By moving your data and systems into the cloud, you can easily access them from anywhere with an internet connection, which allows you to make quick decisions if needed. Additionally, cloud-based systems are generally more secure since they are not stored locally and can be backed up easily if needed. Hiring Independent Contractors to Save Working with independent contractors rather than full-time employees can help save on employment taxes as well as other benefits-related expenses. This includes health insurance premiums and retirement plan contributions. These savings add up quickly over time making them worth considering when creating a financial safety net for your small business. Keeping Healthy Partnerships with Creditors and Vendors Maintaining good relationships with creditors and vendors is also key when creating a financial safety net. Building relationships with creditors and vendors can help ensure that they continue to provide quality services at competitive prices over time. It could also encourage them to provide better payment terms than those offered by other companies in the market. Rent a Home with Standalone Office Space Instead of leasing office space, consider renting a bigger home where you can run your business. Look for a bigger home with a home office or spare bedroom, and use it to run your business instead of leasing an office or using coworking space. Utilize online listings to find a suitable residence, filtering by cost, house type, and bedrooms/bathrooms. All businesses need some form of protection against unexpected expenses or losses that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances. By following these steps — including purchasing insurance, converting to an LLC, and finding a home with office space — you will be able to create an effective financial safety net that will keep your small business running smoothly no matter what life throws at it. Remember, having a contingency plan in place is always better than being unprepared! Lots of people say they don't know enough about their candidates for judge to make a good decision. This Election Day, turn in a complete ballot! Learn all about your candidates and the important job judges do at judicialvotescount.org. Judicial Votes Count is a project of the Ohio State Bar Association, in partnership with the Ohio State Bar Foundation, the Ohio Association of Broadcasters and the Ohio News Media Association. The recent enactment of SB 215 makes Ohio the 23rd state to allow citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The Ohio Attorney General has released a free updated manual which can be found here.
Have you suffered an injury in an accident caused by another person’s wrongful act or negligence? If so, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, when it comes to handling this type of legal case, it’s best not to try to do it alone. Instead, it’s smart to find and use the services of a quality personal injury law firm Hillsborough County. Learn the reasons to hire legal representation below. Understanding of the LawOne of the first reasons to hire an attorney for help with your personal injury case is because they will have a full understanding of the law and how to apply it to your case. Unfortunately, some personal injury cases can be extremely complex. Without an experienced lawyer, it may be impossible for you to achieve fair compensation. Ability to Negotiate on Your BehalfMost personal injury lawsuits don’t go to court. Instead, your attorney works with the representation or insurance company for the at-fault party to reach a settlement agreement. Your attorney will negotiate to help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for the damages and injuries you experience. No Fee Unless Your Case Is SuccessfulToday, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means they do not collect payment unless your case is successful and you receive a settlement offer. Usually, this fee is between 30% and 40%, but it varies from one lawyer to another. It is good to know that you can negotiate this amount if you don’t like what the lawyer is charging. Finding the Right Personal Injury AttorneyNot all personal injury attorneys are created equal. Because of this, you must put in time and effort to find one that can handle your case. Be sure to get to know the local options and schedule several consultations to feel confident in the decision you make. Finding yourself in jail can be a very stressful situation. Not only is jail an unpleasant place to be, but you may be concerned about matters outside that you can't attend to. This is where bail bonds come into play. Jail TimeWhen you're arrested for a crime, you may be sentenced to jail time until the resolution of the trial. If you're found innocent, you'll be free to go. If you're found guilty, then the time you already spent in jail will be kept in mind while sentencing. But either way, you don't want to miss out on important things before your trial. The relationships you have with your family and friends can deteriorate quickly, and you can lose the work hours that you needed. These issues can make the transition back into society harder than it has to be. ReleaseLuckily, a bail bond will allow you to leave jail temporarily until your trial takes place. You can stay with your family and remain employed before your trial. You'll also have more time to work with a criminal defense lawyer who can help you with your case. Instead of sitting in a cold cell, you can work towards securing your freedom. CostsA bail bond's cost is significantly lower than most people imagine. Most bail bonds Scranton PA are covered by a small fee and the terms are reasonable. In fact, it's usually not even necessary to pay the full amount right away; insurance can often cover anything that is not paid immediately. The benefits of bail bonds are endless; they can improve the quality of your present life while giving you the opportunity to make a better future for yourself. Gathering your thoughts and planning should be easier outside of jail, which can lead to better decisions down the line. |
AuthorScott Pullins is a Mount Vernon, Ohio business, elections, and general practice attorney. Archives
June 2024
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