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<p>​​Student Senate Members,</p>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px">As I mentioned at the last general body meeting I am working with Will Klatt to organize a group of students to go to the Ohio State House to meet with representatives and advocate for
increased funding of higher education in the state budget. 2015 is a budget year and in February the Governor will submit his proposed budget to the General Assembly. The portion of Ohio's budget dedicated to higher education has been reduced consistently
each budget. In 2008 the portion dedicated to higher education was 5.3%, in 2012 it was 4.2%. It would not be against the trend if the budget for higher education was reduced again this budget year. <br>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px">Around the 2nd or 3rd week of spring semester I will be organizing a carpool up to Columbus midweek where we will work with Gavin DeVore Leonard of One Ohio Now on how to speak with elected
representatives and important information for advocating. After lunch we will spend the afternoon meeting with representatives based on where people and their parents are registered to vote. I will have more information on dates as I get a rough number on
how many people plan on coming. </p>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px">If you are interested in joining us on our trip to Columbus please enter your information in this google spreadsheet:</p>
<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kKQSzHhQ2KrKDRkGdSlevRD-jI7syZbKEro8yTOdAw8/edit?usp=sharing" id="lnk50321">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kKQSzHhQ2KrKDRkGdSlevRD-jI7syZbKEro8yTOdAw8/edit?usp=sharing</a> <br>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px">If you do not know who your state house or senate members are you can enter your zip code in the following links:<br>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px"><a href="http://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map" id="lnk313525">http://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map</a><br>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px"><a href="http://www.ohiosenate.gov/senate/members/senate-district-map" id="lnk7725">http://www.ohiosenate.gov/senate/members/senate-district-map</a><br>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px">I will hopefully be sending some version of this email to the entire student body so please feel free to share it with interested folks.<br>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px">Please let me know if you have any questions.<br>
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<p style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:16px">Cheers!<br>
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<div name="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="margin:0px"><strong>Ben Mathes</strong>
<div>Ohio University Honors Tutorial College '16</div>
<div>Ohio University Student Senate Governmental Affairs Commissioner</div>
<div>Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholar</div>
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<div>Phone: (+1) 614-598-9288​<br>
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<div name="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:; margin:0">
<b>Ben Mathes</b>
<div>Ohio University Honors Tutorial College '16</div>
<div>Ohio University Student Senate Governmental Affairs Commissioner</div>
<div>Voinovich Undergraduate Research Scholar</div>
<div><br>
</div>
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<div>Phone: (+1) 614-598-9288</div>
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