Statehouse and Capitol Hill News

Anthony Kennedy Retires From Supreme Court

When the Supreme Court adjourned for the current term today without any retirement announcements from the bench, those anticipating the possible departure of Anthony Kennedy (or less likely, Clarence Thomas) relaxed, figuring the current Court would stay in place for at least another term. But no: Kennedy announced his retirement by a press release:

“It has been the greatest honor and privilege to serve our nation in the federal judiciary for 43 years, 30 of those years on the Supreme Court,” Kennedy said in a statement. He said that he wanted to spend more time with his family and that his decision would be effective July 31.

Read more here

President Trump Signs Executive Order to Keep Immigrant Families Together

In a sudden reversal, President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order designed to keep together immigrant families who have been detained at the U.S.-Mexico border, while also retaining his administration’s so-called “zero-tolerance” immigration policy.

Read more here

Statehouse and Capitol Hill News

Federal Funds to Help BCRTA to Build a New Station

The Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA) has been awarded funding through the federal Competitive Bus Grant Program secured by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown in the 2015 Infrastructure Bill. The grant will help build the Chestnut Street Multimodal Station and Shared Services Facility in Oxford, which will add the agency’s first passenger infrastructure as well as a new operations facility.

Here is the entire article

Office of Institutional Relations Tracked Ohio Legislation

Statehouse and Capitol Hill Meeting Highlights

This month the Office of Institutional Relations conducted almost 200 Statehouse and Capitol Hill meetings. Thus far this year, the Office has conducted over 700 Miami meetings.

Former Miami University Trustee Dennis Lieberman with Richard Cordray (D), Candidate for Governor at the debate on the Middletown Campus

Richard Cordray (D) with Randi Thomas and College Democrats after meeting with President Crawford 

All of the Democrat candidates for Governor were at the Middletown campus for a debate on the evening of April 10th, and Richard Cordray met with President Crawford and students during the day before the debate.

Both Republican Candidates, Mike DeWine (’69) and Mary Taylor were at the Hamilton Campus for a recorded Gubernatorial candidate forum.

Former Congressman Zack Space (D) meeting with President Crawford and Miami students Charles Kennick (President – MU College Democrats) and Matthew Ziegman (President of the College Democrats of Ohio).

Former Congressman Zack Space (D), Candidate for State Auditor, visited with President Crawford and the College Democrats on April 16th.

Statehouse and Capitol Hill News

Fortifying the future, Miami goes “Boldly Creative”

Miami University will invest $50 million in a new generation of academic excellence, enhancing its nationally recognized undergraduate teaching, learning and research with a sharpened focus on innovation and creativity. The multiyear initiative will emphasize data, analytics, and programs that span traditional disciplines, creating engaged citizens and workplace leaders who will help expand the Ohio economy.

Here is the entire article.

Miami ranked among 50 top elite public schools

Miami jumped three spots from last year’s ranking to 40th in a list developed from the rankings of 485 four-year public institutions based on affordability, academic excellence, diversity and economic strength.

Here is the entire article.

Butler County will get nearly $24M in tax dollars for capital projects. Here’s what they’ll do.

Governor Kasich has signed his last capital budget as governor.  This spending bill designates $23.8 million for projects in several Butler County communities, including Oxford, Hamilton, and Middletown.

Here is the article that includes the impact of the Capital Budget here in Butler County and Miami University.

As merger bill debated, group accuses education depatment of violating the law

The Office of Institutional Relations is closely following HB 512 at the Statehouse.  This bill would merge all of the state’s education departments into one large education department and give the governor/executive branch more power to implement and change educaion policy in the state of Ohio.

Here is the article about the accusations of the education department breaking the law.
Additionally, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Career-tech leaders have recently announced their support of the bill.

White nationalist Richard Spencer to drop Ohio State lawsuit

As free speech continues to be debated on college campuses, the attorney for white nationalist Richard Spencer is dropping the lawsuit against the Ohio State University but will continue the suit against the University of Cincinnati.

Here is the entire article.
Here is an explanation from the ACLU about the importance of
the First Amendment and free speech on college campuses.

Congressman John Lewis receives Freedom Summer of ’64 award recognizing lifetime of civil rights work

During the 2018 Government Relations Network Alternative Spring Break Advcacy Conference, Miami University students, staff, alumni, and Western College for Women Alumni presented Congressman John Lewis (GA-5) with the inagural Freedom Summer of ’64 award.

Here is an article and video recapping the presentation.

Office of Institutional Relations Tracked Ohio Legislation 

Statehouse and Capitol Hill Meeting Highlights

This month the Office of Institutional Relations conducted almost 200 Statehouse and Capitol Hill meetings. Thus far this year, the Office has conducted over 500 Miami meetings.

The GRN students had another very successful Spring Break.  Here are some of the highlights:

President Crawford in the basement of the Capitol talking with students.

Former Miami Trustee, Dennis Lieberman, interacting with students at the Poster Session in Washington, D.C.

State Representative Sarah LaTourette (’06) (R-76) speaking at the Boldly Creative roll out at the Statehouse.

Conference participants meeting with State Representative Tim Schaffer (R-77), Chair of the House Ways and Meand Committee.

Conference participants meeting with Senator Lehner (R-06), Chair of the Senate Education Committee.

Congressman John Lewis (GA-05) accepting the first Freedom Summer of ’64 award surrounded by Miami students, administrators, and Western College for Women alumnae.

Conference participants meeting with Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine (’69).

Campus Visit Highlights

Congressman Warren Davidson (OH-08) visited with the Miami University College Republicans on March 28th.
State Representative Candice Keller (R-53) was also in attendance at that meeting.

Statehouse and Capitol Hill News

Former Miami Trustee Reflects on Term

All staff, students, and alumni of the GRN thank Mr. Dennis Lieberman for his service to the Board of Trustees and willingness to assist the GRN.  We wish Mr. Lieberman the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Here is an article published in The Miami Student that details Mr. Lieberman’s active career.

New State Capital Budget Plan Unveiled

State lawmakers introduced their plan this week to spend more than $2.6 billion on Capital improvements throughout the state of Ohio.  Miami University has submitted a request for the second phase of the renovation of Pearson Hall.

Here are more details regarding the Capital budget.

Trump administration fights states’ crackdown on student loan collectors

The Trump administration is taking steps to shield student loan collection companies from state regulators, over the objections of consumer advocates and even some Republican attorneys general.

Read the full story here.

Ohio Republican Party endorses Mike DeWine for governor, Jim Renacci for U.S. Senate

Earlier this month the Ohio Republican Party endorsed Mike DeWine (MU Alum ’69), further solidifying his status as the front-runner in the GOP Gubernatorial primary.

Read the entire story here.

Regents board down to two members amid possible realignment

The Ohio Board of Regents hasn’t met in more than a year, as unfilled appointments have left it without a quorum or any sign of additional appointments to come from the governor in the near future.

Read the story in its entirety here .

Office of Institutional Relations Tracked Ohio Legislation 

Statehouse and Capitol Hill Meeting Highlights

This month the Office of Institutional Relations conducted over 40 Statehouse and Capitol Hill meetings. The Office and President Crawford hosted the Inside Washington Students, participated in the Mid American Conference Capitol Hill Day and reception, and partnered with the Scripps Gerontology Program and the College of Education, Health, and Society to conduct two Congressional Briefings.  President Crawford and students from Miami’s Inside Washington Program advocated for improvements to the PROSPER Act (Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform), the Higher Education Reauthorization Act.  Thus far this year, the Office has conducted over 300 Miami meetings.

President Crawford and Inside Washington students on the Hill advocating for higher education. 

Miami’s College Republicans took time out of attending CPAC to meet with GRN alumni working on the Hill. 

Campus Visit Highlights

February proved to be another productive month for campus visits.

Representatives Lipps, LaTourette, Ryan, and Smith (Legislative Aide) met with President Crawford and the Board of Trustees to discuss “Bodly Creative”, our philosophy on career services, and the Wright Brothers Institute of Dayton patents partnership during their day long campus visit. Thank you to the students and faculty from AIMS, Entrpreneurship, Scripps Gerontology, and Cody Powell of physical facilities and Dean Makaroff for the Pearson Hall tour.  

Statehouse and Capitol Hill News

Statehouse and Capitol Hill News

Miami University is the most efficient National University, according to a U.S. News analysis.

The U.S. News and World Report rated Miami University as the most efficient university in the U.S. based on the university’s per-student spending on education-focused activities.

Here is the full report.

2 Dayton colleges among tops for entrepreneurship programs

Miami University and the University of Dayton were both ranked in the Top 25 Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship Studies.

Here are their rankings.

Universities wage last-minute fight against grad student tax hike

University leaders and education groups are urging Congress to reconsider provisions in the House GOP tax bill that would mean huge tax hikes for graduate students.

Here is the entire article.

Update: This provision has been removed from the tax reform bill thanks to 31 GOP House members.  These include members of the Ohio Delegation, Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-06) and Rep. Steve Stivers (OH-15), and Miami Alum, Rep. Susan Brooks (’82) (IN-05).

The Tax Reform bill has passed both houses of Congress, and the President is expected to sign it next week.

Three Resignations in a Month for Inappropriate Behavior Rock Statehouse

Recent allegations of sexual misconduct have also rocked the Ohio Statehouse, in addition to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  Three individuals have resigned from their positions within the past two months for alleged sexual misconduct at the Statehouse.

Here is the recap.

Higher Education Legislation To Follow

 

Statehouse and Capitol Hill News

Ohio State University sued over refusal to let white nationalist speak

DeVos to revamp Obama-era schools sexual assault policy

Here’s who’s interested in running for Pat Tiberi’s congressional seat