Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio Local Governments

By: Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas
  • Summary

  • Conversations with Ohio Local Government leaders and public servants hosted by Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas. As you head to work, hear from those who work for you with stories of local government successes, opportunities, and the motivations behind public policy. Learn more about David Thomas at www.davidthomasforashtabulacounty.com. Questions, ideas, or want to learn more? Email thomas15david@gmail.com.
    © 2023 Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio Local Governments
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Episodes
  • E:14 Brian Walsh and the Plan to Make the Washington DC Air Travel Market More Competitive
    Aug 22 2023

    Brian Walsh is a former Washington DC Hill Staffer and current spokesman for the Capital Access Alliance (CAA). We spoke about the group's goal for the FAA Reauthorization Bill to make air travel more affordable and accessible to and from Washington D.C. Since the late 1960s, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has been the only airport subject to a federally imposed perimeter rule, which limits the number of flights that are allowed to take-off and land outside a 1,250-mile perimeter. This, along with limits on the number of total flights, causes ticket prices to be artificially inflated. We talk about how removing this bureaucratic holdover policy will create better competition for the airplane ticket market. 

    You can learn more about this group and their plan at: https://capitalaccessalliance.com/

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    19 mins
  • E:13 Veterans Service Commission- Ben Schwartfigure Director for Ashtabula County
    Aug 1 2023

    In this episode I speak with Ben Schwartfigure, the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission Director,  about the services provided to our community's veterans. From health benefits to housing assistance and work with federal and state agencies, the VSC assists veterans everyday. Many are unaware of the programs VSCs across Ohio provide and the federal and state dollars brought in to counties as a result of their work. 

    Take a listen then learn more about the Veterans Service Commission here: https://www.ashtabulaveterans.com/

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    27 mins
  • E:12 US Mexican Border Visit- Immigration, Border Security, and a Growing Crisis
    Jul 3 2023

    This episode is different from others run in Ohio's Bios. For Episode 12 I share about a unique opportunity I had to visit the US Mexican Border in McAllen, Texas to view firsthand the Border Crisis at the southern border, learn how it impacts the entire United States, and determine policies ideas for helping to secure the border. I took this trip led by American's For Prosperity, a national policy nonprofit aimed at educating citizens and advocating for economic freedom. 

    We saw a Rio Grande River crossing in the McAllen Water District run by Othal Brand. Touched several variations of walls, technology, and structural barriers. Also heard from retired Yuma, Arizona Border Patrol Chief Chris Clem about his experience and policy ideas- just a wall or just technology or just more staff will not secure our border, policy changes must be made to clear confusion and direct behavior to legal immigration. Then visited the Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley to hear how they process and serve as respite care hundreds of people daily before they go to their sponsor in America.   

    The solution isn't just a 1 prong approach but 4. 1) More physical barriers where it makes sense to slow border crossers, 2) more technology for surveillance and notifications where it makes sense, 3) more staffing for Border Patrol Agents to increase the force and immigration Judges, 4) change of policies for Immigration itself removing unclear policies and increasing ability for legal immigration or work migration.

    See photos at: www.davidthomasforashtabulacounty.com/single-post/my-visit-to-the-us-mexican-border  

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    28 mins

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