FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                             

Ohio Christian Alliance Statement on the Defeat of State Ballot Issue 1

Today, Ohio voters read through the deception and soundly voted down State Ballot Issue 1.  The proposed constitutional amendment would have been bad for Ohioans, and especially harmful to the very people it is purported to help.   Promoted as an effort for prison reform, this deceptive ballot measure would have actually created conditions for more drug trafficking and opiate addiction, overdose and death in Ohio communities. Ohio has already seen its share of grief and loss in its battle against drug addiction. 

As the Ohio Christian Alliance has asserted from the beginning, we can now proceed with real common sense criminal sentencing reform for minor drug offenses. Working with a coalition of legislators, law enforcement, members of the judiciary, civic organizations, and the Chamber of Commerce, we can begin to put together a meaningful construct of common sense criminal sentencing reform. This would include a pathway for expungement of some non-violent fourth and fifth degree felonies, so that these Ohioans can again find their way back into society and attain gainful employment.

OCA President Chris Long stated, “The Ohio Christian Alliance looks forward to working with the coalition to begin this legislative initiative as we continue to win the battle against the insidious opiate addiction crisis in Ohio that is affecting so many of our neighbors.  Now the real work can begin.”

 ###

 Contact 330-887-1922

Pastor who voiced radio ads in support of Issue 1 now is a definite NO vote on Issue 1 - Report

Pastor Greg Delaney, who earlier this month was heard on radio ads in favor of State Ballot Issue 1 that was aired on hundreds of radio stations, a combination of talk, Christian, and sports stations, has now come out OPPOSED to State Ballot ISSUE 1.

OCA President Chris Long stood with Pastor Greg Delaney, who works with drug and alcohol and addiction treatment programs, and has been featured by the Health and Human Services Department in Washington, in a press conference in Columbus on Monday, October 15,  to oppose State Ballot Issue 1. Pastor Greg said the following:

"I am here today to urge you to do as I have done and vote "no" on State Issue One. I previously provided public support in favor of Issue 1. I had confidence that Issue One would generate much-needed funding so Ohioans could get access to treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. I wholeheartedly agree with the premise that Ohioans in need of treatment should get that support...

Yet after my support for Issue 1 became public, many long-time colleagues, other members of my faith community, friends from the mental health and recovery community began calling, writing, asking me to take a closer look at the measure. 

Out of respect, I did. After much prayer and conversation, I felt compelled to publicly change my position and put voice to my opposition to State Issue One." 

Here is the Ohio Christian Alliance press release from Monday:  

The Ohio Christian Alliance Today Stands with Other Ohio Faith Leaders to Oppose State Ballot Issue 1

 (Columbus, OH) OCA President Chris Long today stood with faith leaders to oppose State Ballot Issue 1. Faith leaders have now joined the ranks of the Ohio Bar Association, the Ohio Municipal League, the Ohio Judicial Conference, State Sherriffs’ Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Ohio State Coroners Association in their opposition to State Ballot Issue One.

 Today’s press conference demonstrates that more Ohioans are turning against the proposed State Constitutional amendment.  Promoted as an effort for prison reform, in reality, the deceptive ballot measure would create conditions for more drug trafficking and opiate addiction, overdose, and death in Ohio communities. Ohio has already seen its share of grief and loss in its battle against drug addiction. 

 The amendment as proposed would strip law enforcement of the ability to curb drug use and trafficking in local communities.  Judges would no longer have the ability to provide options to defendants in the courtroom of either incarcerated addiction recovery programs or paroled drug addiction recovery programs. The amendment as proposed is cloaked as an effort for prison reform, but is in reality a proposed constitutional law that will make it nearly impossible for communities, law enforcement, and the judicial system to police and curb drug possession and drug trafficking on the streets of Ohio cities and communities.  

That is why the Ohio Christian Alliance is urging pastors, churches, and our fellow Ohioans to vote NO on State Ballot Issue 1.  Ohio is beginning to make some headway in our battle against drug overdoses and drug-related deaths. State Ballot Issue 1 would put a halt to the progress we have made and only make matters worse. That is why we are urging a NO Vote on Issue 1!

 ###

Ohio Christian Alliance President Chris Long made the following statement today regarding the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court:  

  After a long and arduous confirmation process, the United States Senate today confirmed Brett Kavanaugh as the next associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  Justice Kavanaugh brings a wealth of judicial experience and knowledge to the Court. Today, the U.S. Senate members who voted to confirm Justice Kavanaugh took a courageous and meaningful stance. They were not only voting for the next justice of the Supreme Court, but they were also casting a vote for the civil, constitutional confirmation process that the United States Senate Chamber is constitutionally bound to conduct.

We want to thank all our member supporters for their continuous prayer for the Kavanaugh family and for our U.S. Senators during this process.

In the face of incivility and at times a spirit of anarchy from those on the Left who opposed Justice Kavanaugh for the bench, a higher moral civil response prevailed. We would like to specifically thank Senator Rob Portman from Ohio who cast a vote in the affirmative for Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation.”

If we cower and drawback, we will lose this fight. But, if we pray, we can seize the day. 

  As you are aware, much is at stake this week in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, as a high profile hearing will take place we are now told, on Thursday September 27th, on the confirmation hearing on Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The eleventh hour accusation in a letter that was presented to the media by California Senator Diane Feinstein has delayed the committee vote and Senate confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Republican Senators complain that they have not seen the unredacted letter that Senator Feinstein produced only after the hearings were concluded. She states that she was in possession of the letter for two months. Much has been made in the media of Christine Blasey Ford’s accusation against Brett Kavenaugh. He has released a brief statement categorically denying the charge and states he was not at the location at which she says the incident took place 36 years ago. In a back and forth maneuvering through her attorney and Chairman Senator Grassley, Ms. Ford, we are told, will now testify before the committee. Other information has come forward from other news sources that you may have not heard of, as the mainstream media has not provided this information. Here is a statement that was made on the Ohio Christian Alliance Facebook page this weekend. 

“It has come to light that Dr. Ford works for a company that produces an abortion pill. Her accusation brought against Judge Kavanaugh has yet to be corroborated by other sources. In fact, just the opposite. Women throughout his career vouch for his character and professionalism. This woman's far-fetched claim with few specifics and short on details appears erroneous in nature and the motive is now beginning to manifest itself. If she testifies under oath before the U.S. Senate committee, she should be mindful of that. There are many in this country that are beginning to take false accusation seriously and are calling for punitive sentencing of those who present false testimony. As the commandments state, ‘Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Deut. 5:20’”

Ms. Ford’s attorney is a known liberal activist, and we will all learn on Thursday what Ms. Ford’s claim is. But what we do know is that she has produced writings in support of an abortifacient drug. And according to the Gateway Pundit, she was compensated for her writings. We thought it important that you receive this additional information. What we do ask of you is to pray. We are in a spiritual battle. We know that ever since the 2016 Election, the President, the Vice President, and his administration, have been under constant assault by the radical Left of this country.

We as Christians must not fall asleep at this time or cower back from the battle. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12) Please join us in prayer this week for Mr. Kavanaugh and the Senate committee.

Thank you and may God bless you. 

Chris Long

The Disruptive Disorderly Ruckus-Filled Senate Hearing Today on Justice Kavanaugh

     The Disruptive Disorderly Ruckus-Filled Senate Hearing Today on Justice Kavanaugh

An excellent presentation today by Senator Ted Cruz of Texas at the confirmation hearing for Justice Kavanaugh. He reminded the committee and the viewers that with the open seat on the Supreme Court during the 2016 Election, it was the first time in 60 years that the American people were not only voting for a President, they were voting for the type of justice they would want to sit on the Supreme Court. They chose Donald Trump and they chose the conservative justices that he would appoint. The Ohio Christian Alliance supports Justice Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Today, the Democrats who oppose President Trump's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and their liberal activist allies, orchestrated a stunt protest in the U.S. Senate hearing on the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Justice Kavanaugh. Chairman of the committee, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, attempted to keep order, but was immediately interrupted numerous times during his opening statement of the committee.

OCA President Chris Long made the following statement in regard to today's hearing, "The incivility of the political Left reached new lows today in the U.S. Senate hearing for Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Never before has the American public witnessed such disregard for the Senate chamber and the committee process. Outburst after outburst was heard from the audience from activists who had come to the hearing with the intent purpose of disrupting and causing a ruckus. Nearly two dozen protesters were escorted eventually from the hearing by Capitol police. Equally disturbing were the Democratic members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee who time and again broke with protocol, interrupting fellow members and disregarding the Chairman's point of order. Their efforts to stall and delay did not succeed. The other members were eventually able to express their support for Justice Kavanaugh, and before day's end the nominee was able to present his opening statement."

Please join with us in praying for the continuation of these hearings that will take place for the next several days. It is the belief of the Ohio Christian Alliance that Justice Kavanaugh will be an excellent Constitutional jurist. 

An open letter to Members of the Ohio Legislature:

Due to the unexpected resignation of Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, the Ohio House majority must vote on a new Speaker to finish out the current session. Because the business of The People’s House must continue in the 132 General Assembly, we the undersigned suggest the following:

In light of the FBI investigation of former House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, we suggest that a Speaker be chosen from among the Majority who is not currently part of the leadership team, who is not running for re-election, and who could serve on an interim basis until the end of the current session. A new Speaker could then be elected after the fall Election. This would allow for the House to continue its session without a lengthy interruption.

It is important to put The People’s business first.

Sincerely,

Christopher R. Long                                              Linda Harvey     

President, Ohio Christian Alliance                        President, Mission America

Rev. Alfred B. Davis                                              Rev. Dr. Kenneth Johnson                        

Richfield Bible Baptist Church                              Pastor Seaman Community Methodist Church 

Molly Smith                                                            Pastor Dan Wolvin                                                                  

[President, Cleveland Right to Life;                       State Director Awake America Ohio           

resident, National Personhood Alliance]

Diane Stover                                                           Rev. James Tasker

President, Ohio Value Voters, Inc.                         Priest in the Anglican Church North America

Mark Stevenson                                                      Pastor Phil Fulton                                              

Director, Ohioans for Educational Freedom           Union Hill Church

Mark Harrington

Executive Director, Created Equal

School Choice in Ohio now at risk with the sudden closure of the online school ECOT.

A Statement from the Ohio Christian Alliance:

"On Thursday when the ODE (Ohio Department of Education) turned down the latest offer of restructured payments by ECOT school, they all but set in motion the immediate closure of the online institution ECOT schools. In doing so, they put in jeopardy the 12,000 students currently enrolled in the school. The magnitude of this decision is equivalent to a major Ohio school district being forced to close in the middle of the school year. State superintendent Paolo DeMaria and his administration had no contingency plan for these students. Parents and students are now scrambling to find other schools to enter, including the 2,287 seniors. This crisis could have been averted by the ODE and the Kasich administration. Their failure to provide a workable solution that would have at least finished the school year for ECOT and its students, is in our opinion gross incompetence and negligent. We would hope that this decision was not made for political purposes. That would be unconscionable as it is affecting so many school children who depend on this online Ohio school for their continuing education. We would hope that the legislature would act quickly to remedy this situation."

We agree with the following Statement by State Representative Andrew Brenner Chairman, Ohio House Education & Career Readiness Committee.
"This could have been avoided had the department of education set up a payment plan that would have allowed the students to finish the school year at ECOT. I warned the Department of this months ago, so their lack of consideration makes me concerned about the long-term ramifications of School choice in Ohio. Since ECOT is now closing the Ohio Department of Education has the responsibility to make sure all 12,000 kids are quickly and properly placed into alternative situations."

###

Addressing the Moral Crisis at the Ohio Statehouse – A Statement from the Ohio
Christian Alliance November 28th 2017

A moral crisis has emerged at the Ohio Statehouse in recent weeks and requires the
attention of people of goodwill to address it. The serious nature of the moral failures of
some people who serve the public trust in their capacity as public servants has cast a dark
shadow over The People's House. That is why we the undersigned urge a call to action.
Here is what is known, according to recent media reports, and it is disturbing. Senator
Cliff Hite of the 1st Ohio Senate District recently resigned because of his inappropriate
contact with female staffers at the Ohio Statehouse. His seat is now vacant. It was then
reported by the House leadership that Rep. Mike Henne had been ordered to undergo
sensitivity training 2-1/2 years ago due to inappropriate remarks. The House has stated
they will release the documents in relation to the incident, but have not yet done so. Then
came the news of Ohio Senate Democratic chief of staff Michael Premo's sudden
resignation, about which no details were provided by Democratic Senate leadership.
Senate President Larry Obhof has requested to speak to the woman who filed the
complaint against Premo. - Click here for the full statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        November 1, 2017

Government Accountability and Oversight Committee Passes HCR 10

Today, members of the Ohio Legislature took a positive step forward, pushing back against anti-Semitism by passing out of committee HCR 10, the resolution to condemn the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel and to condemn increasing incidents of anti-Semitism on Ohio college campuses.

OCA President Chris Long stated, "The Ohio Christian Alliance is pleased to lend its support to this resolution that Representatives Andy Thompson and David Greenspan, along with 25 other co-sponsors, have signed on to.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2016

Prayerless State of the State Address

In a major breach of protocol, the State of the State Address by Governor Kasich before a joint session of the Ohio General Assembly in Marietta last week, did not open with a prayer from the clergy. OCA President Chris Long who was in attendance recounted, "There was a call to order by the Speaker of the House and Senate President, a call to quorum, the presentation of colors by the Honor Guard, and then the Senate President looked down at his notes as to what was next on the program. .......

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 26, 2016

Ohio Christian Alliance Urges Delay of Implementation of Online Voter Registration in Ohio to Safeguard Ohio's Vote
S.B. 63, the online voter registration bill, has raised concerns that it may further threaten Ohio's election integrity. Ohio's elections process has been under some scrutiny over the past several years due to an increase in reported voter fraud cases, referenced in the Ohio SOS Post-Election Voter Fraud Reports May 2013, SOS December 2013 Report "Non-U.S. Citizens Register and Vote in the Battleground State of Ohio", SOS report March 12, 2015 in which it was reported that 436 non-U.S. citizens were registered to vote in Ohio, 44 of whom actually cast ballots, and the June 25, 2015 SOS report "14 Individuals Referred for Investigation for Allegedly Illegally Voting." Additionally, Franklin County reported more than 90 cases of double voting in the 2012 Presidential Election .....