Barbara Sears

COLUMBUS— State Representative Barbara Sears (R- Maumee) yesterday honored Meredith Wagner of Northview High School on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Wagner won the state competition for Division I Girls High School Cross Country, besting more than 5,000 other young women and finishing with a time of 18:03. She has signed a letter of intent to continue running for the Ohio State University.

Representative Sears stated, “It is always such an honor to have students from our district recognized and honored on the floor of the House.”

Waterville, OH—In recognition of her efforts to support Ohio’s small businesses, State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Township) yesterday was presented the “Guardian of Small Business Award” by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Ohio’s most prominent small business advocacy organization.

“I’m pleased that the NFIB has honored me with this award today,” Sears said. “I have worked diligently to improve Ohio’s business environment and create jobs, and it is a privilege to be recognized for my efforts.”

Columbus—This is 2010, and Ohio's new job-rich economy is on the horizon! State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) recently announced her candidacy to return to the 46th Ohio House District seat in 2011.

“It would be my honor to continue to serve as your voice in Columbus,” Rep. Sears said. “This General Assembly has faced many challenges with job loss and budget deficits, but with good leadership in 2011, we can work together to turn this state around and fix our economy. That is what I have always strived to do, and I will continue keep my sights set on Ohio's future.”

Offers testimony on cost-containment legislation to improve Medicaid system

Columbus—State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) today offered sponsor testimony on House Bill 240, legislation that would fix inefficiencies in Ohio’s Medicaid system.

Multi-billion dollar debt looms without plan to repay

COLUMBUS—State Representative Barbara Sears (R - Sylvania) today opposed legislation to place the renewal of the Third Frontier initiative on the May ballot, citing that increasing spending during the recession will put Ohio farther into debt.

As a mother, I have always taught my sons the necessity of living within their means and avoiding accumulating debt. Especially with the onset of the economic recession, I have stressed the importance of trimming down excess expenditures during an unstable economy. But as the government continues to grow its power and become increasingly embedded in our everyday lives, it also continues to inefficiently consume our tax dollars. As Ohio’s families struggle to make ends meet, the last thing we need is for government growth and spending to spiral out of control.

Dear Constituent,

Since the commencement of the 128th General Assembly, I have received countless phone calls, letters and emails from concerned citizens within our community regarding the deepening recession in Ohio. As more jobs are lost and businesses continue to move out of state, Ohioans are relying upon their elected voices more than ever to make difficult decisions during challenging times.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from raising a family and running a small business, it’s that spending more than you can afford will ruin you financially. And if Ohio’s government were a business we would certainly be bankrupt.

Representatives Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) and Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) today introduced legislation to preserve the freedom of Ohioans to make their own health care decisions. House Joint Resolution 3,
known as the Ohio Health Care Freedom Act, would propose an
amendment to Ohio’s Constitution to prohibit any Ohio law or rule from forcing
any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in a health care system.

COLUMBUS - State Representative Barbara Sears (R- Sylvania) today
announced the release of $62,000 to Turbine Standard Ltd., located in
Springfield and Swanton townships. This project will help Turbine
Standard create 35 new full-time jobs and retain 17 existing full-time
jobs.

Specifically, the State Controlling Board approved a Rapid Outreach
Grant to cover the costs associated with acquisition of equipment and
machinery, including hydraulic mules, engine hoists, aircraft jacks,
aircraft tow bars and avionics test equipment.

COLUMBUS- State Representative Barbara Sears (R- Sylvania) today
announced the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 1. The
$50.5 billion, two-year state operating budget passed the Ohio House by
a vote of 54-44.

Today, the House voted to accept the changes made by a six-member
legislative conference committee, nearly two weeks past the July 1st
deadline. The committee was tasked with closing a $3.2 billion deficit
after Governor Strickland's administration announced a steep decline in
state revenues in June.

COLUMUBUS - State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) today
announced the creation of a legislative task force to study Ohio's
changing automobile industry. Sears will soon be appointed as member of
the study group.

"I appreciate the opportunity to serve on this task force," Sears said.
"It is absolutely crucial that we study all the laws that affect Ohio's
automotive manufacturing industry, and we need to look at how our
franchise laws and consumer protections impact the needs of Ohioans and
the industry."

Monday, the Ohio Senate agreed to the creation of the Joint Select

COLUMBUS - The following statement can be attributed in part or in whole
to Representative Barbara Sears (R- Sylvania ), on the subject of the
House Democrat Caucus' refusal to pass Senate Bill 57, which would
permit sixteen-year-olds to donate blood with parental consent:

"Currently a measure that would help save lives, at no cost to the
state, is being held up by the House Democrats by what appears to be a
shameful act of partisan politics.

Senate Bill 57 would increase the supply of blood here in Ohio
potentially helping the lives of tens of thousands of Ohioans. The bill

COLUMBUS-Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) yesterday voiced
opposition during a session of the Ohio House of Representatives
regarding an unfunded education program. The bill passed yesterday from
the Ohio House.

House Bill 68 would create the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools Grant
Program, intended to provide grants to schools to establish nutritional
and agricultural education programs for kindergarteners.

"With agriculture as Ohio's staple industry, I agree that this program
does seem to provide a great learning opportunity for our young

COLUMBUS-State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) today announced
the approval of funding for Next Specialty Resins, Inc. in Sylvania
Township.

The State Controlling Board approved the release of $25,000 for the
acquisition of new machinery and equipment. The appropriation is part of
the Rapid Outreach Grant, which will help Next Specialty create 25 new,
full-time jobs.

"One of our greatest priorities here in Columbus is getting Ohioans back
to work, as well as helping quality companies acquire resources to be

COLUMBUS-State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) today gave
sponsor testimony before the House Agriculture and Natural Resources
Committee, regarding current law's stereotyping of pit bulls.

Sears is the primary sponsor of House Bill 79, which would remove the
Ohio Revised Code specification of pit bull breeds being inherently
vicious. Current law defines vicious dogs as having histories of
unprovoked aggression as well as any dog commonly known as a pit bull.
Since a pit bull is not a distinct dog breed, the term often refers to

With November 4 just a day away, State Senator Mark Wagoner and State Rep. Barbara Sears are finishing their elections strong, eager to get back to Columbus and serve Northwest Ohio citizens. This effort has been recognized by local community members, such as Jan Lowe from Waterville via a letter-to-the-editor in the Maumee Mirror Newspaper:

"To the Editor:

Dayton, OH - MCAO (Mechanical Contractors Association of Ohio) have endorsed the candidacy of State Representative Barbara Sears for House District 46. Here is their statement:

"The Mechanical Contractors Association of Ohio is pleased to endorse Barbara Sears in her effort to continue her work in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Sylvania, OH – House District 46 candidate Darlene Dunn and the Ohio Democratic Party have recently released television and printed ad campaigns against State Representative Barbara Sears that claim Rep. Sears would support a plan for health insurance companies to deny coverage of early autism detection, diabetes and early breast cancer screening for Ohio families.