Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati

In a recent blog posted entitled ”Reducing Jail Costs, Reducing Recidivism, Part II,” David Pepper highlighted a letter signed by him, Todd Portune, and Si Leis.  The letter was sent to Ohio lawmakers, urging support for H.R. 5698--Restoring the Partnership for County Health Care Costs Act.  Missing from the signature list:  Commissioner Pat DeWine.

We contacted DeWine, to find out why he did not sign a letter which apparently advocates for beneficial work.

According to DeWine, when Pepper approached him with the letter, it was already set to go with just three signature lines—one each for Pepper, Portune, and Leis.  Pepper offered to redraft the letter, but DeWine had not heard of H.R. 5698, and he didn’t want to sign anything until having a chance to read the whole language.  Apparently, that time was not provided before the letter needed to be sent.

Here is the text of H.R. 5698.

Who knows how much more effect a united front from Hamilton County could have for advocating to support this initiative, but it’s too bad that a lack of communication and information prevented all the Commissioner’s from having their names on the letter.

Thank you for reading (and printing from) The Cincinnati Beacon.