Lou Blessing
Encyclopedia
Louis W. Blessing Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio
, is an American
politician of the Republican party. He is Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives
.
, he received a law degree from Northern Kentucky University
. As an attorney, Blessing worked from the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court before being elected as a Colerain Township Trustee
.
Blessing's career at the Statehouse began in 1983, when he replaced Representative Helen Fix
in a suburban Cincinnati district. He went on to serve seven terms in the House, for a total of fourteen years. He never faced considerable opposition in either a primary or general election throughout his tenure.
With term limits newly enacted and looming, eight-term incumbent Stanley Aronoff decided to retire in 1996 before being forced out of the Senate. As a result, Blessing forfeited an eighth term in the House for a run in the Senate. Facing no opposition in the primary, Blessing went on to win the general election with 65% of the vote. In 2000, Blessing was up for reelection, but was heavily favored in the strongly Republican district. Against Democrat Stuart Manning, Blessing won a second term, securing 63% of the vote.
In December 2002, Blessing, while traveling on I-71 in Ohio, was arrested and charged with a DUI
after an Ohio state patrol officer found the state lawmaker had a blood-alcohol level of .11 percent when given a Breathalyzer
test, just over the legal limit.
term limited in the House as well, it gave an opportunity for both Blessing and Clancy to run for each others seats. However, Blessing first faced primary competition in Keith Corman. He went on to win the primary election with 52% of the electorate. Blessing went on to win the general election over Joseph R. Wolterman by about 7,000 votes, and retook a seat in the House after eight years in the Senate. Blessing was the first legislator post term-limits to go from the House to the Senate and then back to the House. He won reelection easily in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
For the 126th General Assembly, Blessing was named by Speaker of the House Jon Husted
as Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and for the 127th General Assembly was chosen as Chairman.
With William G. Batchelder
elected as Minority Leader of the House for the 128th General Assembly, Blessing was tabbed as assistant leader. However, when Republicans retook the Majority in 2010, Blessing was again chosen for the second highest Republican leadership position, Speaker Pro Tempore. He also serves on the committees of Criminal Justice; Rules and Reference (as Chairman); and State Government and Elections. He also is as a member of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee; the Ohio Legislative Service Commission; the Joint Committee on Bingo and Skill Based Gaming; the Permanent Joint Committee on
Gaming and Wagering; and the Power Siting Board.
Along with Tracy Maxwell Heard
, Blessing has introduced a plan to reduce Ohio's rising prison population and use part of the expected cost savings to strengthen felony probation supervision. While current law provides that certain adoption placement requirements do not apply to a stepparent, grandparent, or a guardian, Blessing has introduced a bill that would extend the exemption to the husband or wife of a grandparent.
As a member of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, Blessing played a key role in shaping a bill on collective bargaining
reform, which will go forth to limit such for public employees. He favored limiting the same provisions for firefighters and law enforcement
, although some cite Wisconsin
's bill as allowing their collective bargaining
to continue. Blessing has stated that while law doesn't state that employers have to pay non-union members the same wages as union
members, it often happens anyway. He believed the bill would ultimately make it to John Kasich
's desk for approval, which it did. He voted for the bill to pass out of committee, and did the same on the House floor. Blessing has stated that public employees shouldn't be concerned that they may receive pay cuts, and that the bill will actually help public employees. He has also stated that the bill will bring more accountability to the public sector. When asked if he would be willing to share in sacrificing his own pay, Blessing stated that he earns his pay, and isn't ashamed of what he makes.
Blessing is the sponsor of legislation that aims to update voter ID
requirements. The initiative would require any voter to show a photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Blessing has stated there have been instances of individuals voting more than once as a result of not requiring such already. The measure passed quickly, within days of introduction. While there has been consistent criticism of the legislation, Blessing assures that it is a measure that will insure the integrity of elections. In addition, he has stated that the law will help reign in on any wasteful spending.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician of the Republican party. He is Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
.
Career
After graduation from the University of CincinnatiUniversity of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, he received a law degree from Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University
|type = Public|president= Dr. James C. Votruba|city = Highland Heights|state = KY|country = U.S.|endowment = $68 million|students = 15,405|undergrad = 13,206|postgrad = 2,199|faculty = 1,159...
. As an attorney, Blessing worked from the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court before being elected as a Colerain Township Trustee
Colerain Township, Hamilton County, Ohio
Colerain Township is one of the twelve townships of Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 60,144 people in the township, more than in any other township in Ohio.-Geography:...
.
Blessing's career at the Statehouse began in 1983, when he replaced Representative Helen Fix
Helen Fix
Helen Fix is a Republican Ohio politician and a former member of the Ohio General Assembly. A graduate of Richmond University and a former newspaper reporter, she served on Amberley Village Council for four terms. Fix initially decided to run for the Ohio House of Representatives in 1972, following...
in a suburban Cincinnati district. He went on to serve seven terms in the House, for a total of fourteen years. He never faced considerable opposition in either a primary or general election throughout his tenure.
With term limits newly enacted and looming, eight-term incumbent Stanley Aronoff decided to retire in 1996 before being forced out of the Senate. As a result, Blessing forfeited an eighth term in the House for a run in the Senate. Facing no opposition in the primary, Blessing went on to win the general election with 65% of the vote. In 2000, Blessing was up for reelection, but was heavily favored in the strongly Republican district. Against Democrat Stuart Manning, Blessing won a second term, securing 63% of the vote.
In December 2002, Blessing, while traveling on I-71 in Ohio, was arrested and charged with a DUI
DUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
after an Ohio state patrol officer found the state lawmaker had a blood-alcohol level of .11 percent when given a Breathalyzer
Breathalyzer
A breathalyzer or breathalyser is a device for estimating blood alcohol content from a breath sample...
test, just over the legal limit.
Ohio House of Representatives, Second Tenure
By 2004, Blessing was facing term limits himself in the Senate. With Representative Patty ClancyPatty Clancy
Patricia M. Clancy is a former Republican member of the Ohio General Assembly, representing the 8th District from 2005 to 2007. She is the daughter of former Cincinnati Mayor and U.S. Congressman Donald D. Clancy. Clancy first ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in 1996, after Representative...
term limited in the House as well, it gave an opportunity for both Blessing and Clancy to run for each others seats. However, Blessing first faced primary competition in Keith Corman. He went on to win the primary election with 52% of the electorate. Blessing went on to win the general election over Joseph R. Wolterman by about 7,000 votes, and retook a seat in the House after eight years in the Senate. Blessing was the first legislator post term-limits to go from the House to the Senate and then back to the House. He won reelection easily in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
For the 126th General Assembly, Blessing was named by Speaker of the House Jon Husted
Jon Husted
Jon A. Husted is an American politician of the Republican Party who currently serves as Ohio Secretary of State. Previously, he was a member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 6th district . He also previously served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009 and Speaker...
as Vice Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and for the 127th General Assembly was chosen as Chairman.
With William G. Batchelder
William G. Batchelder
William G. Batchelder, III is an American lawyer, judge, and politician from the U.S. state of Ohio. He is a Republican.He is the husband of Judge Alice Batchelder, currently a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.-Early life and education:Batchelder was born...
elected as Minority Leader of the House for the 128th General Assembly, Blessing was tabbed as assistant leader. However, when Republicans retook the Majority in 2010, Blessing was again chosen for the second highest Republican leadership position, Speaker Pro Tempore. He also serves on the committees of Criminal Justice; Rules and Reference (as Chairman); and State Government and Elections. He also is as a member of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee; the Ohio Legislative Service Commission; the Joint Committee on Bingo and Skill Based Gaming; the Permanent Joint Committee on
Gaming and Wagering; and the Power Siting Board.
Social issues
Along with Tracy Maxwell Heard
Tracy Maxwell Heard
Tracy Maxwell Heard is the representative for the 26th district of the Ohio House of Representatives and the minority whip. She is a graduate of the University of Akron.-Life and career:...
, Blessing has introduced a plan to reduce Ohio's rising prison population and use part of the expected cost savings to strengthen felony probation supervision. While current law provides that certain adoption placement requirements do not apply to a stepparent, grandparent, or a guardian, Blessing has introduced a bill that would extend the exemption to the husband or wife of a grandparent.
Collective bargaining
As a member of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, Blessing played a key role in shaping a bill on collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
reform, which will go forth to limit such for public employees. He favored limiting the same provisions for firefighters and law enforcement
Law enforcement
Law enforcement broadly refers to any system by which some members of society act in an organized manner to promote adherence to the law by discovering and punishing persons who violate the rules and norms governing that society...
, although some cite Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
's bill as allowing their collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
to continue. Blessing has stated that while law doesn't state that employers have to pay non-union members the same wages as union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
members, it often happens anyway. He believed the bill would ultimately make it to John Kasich
John Kasich
John Richard Kasich is the 69th and current Governor of Ohio. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing from 1983 to 2001...
's desk for approval, which it did. He voted for the bill to pass out of committee, and did the same on the House floor. Blessing has stated that public employees shouldn't be concerned that they may receive pay cuts, and that the bill will actually help public employees. He has also stated that the bill will bring more accountability to the public sector. When asked if he would be willing to share in sacrificing his own pay, Blessing stated that he earns his pay, and isn't ashamed of what he makes.
Election reform
Blessing is the sponsor of legislation that aims to update voter ID
ID
ID, I.D. or id may refer to:* The id, ego, and super-ego comprise the psychic apparatus defined in Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche- Abbreviations :...
requirements. The initiative would require any voter to show a photo ID in order to cast a ballot. Blessing has stated there have been instances of individuals voting more than once as a result of not requiring such already. The measure passed quickly, within days of introduction. While there has been consistent criticism of the legislation, Blessing assures that it is a measure that will insure the integrity of elections. In addition, he has stated that the law will help reign in on any wasteful spending.