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RIO GRANDE — Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor addressed members of the Gallia County Republican Party during Thursday night’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner held at the University of Rio Grande.

Taylor spoke about success, the need to celebrate and reward the success of others. She also spoke on the decisions that have been made for the betterment of Ohio while she and Governor John Kasich have been in office.

Taylor stated that there are three things that have to be asked before decisions can be made. First, do the numbers add up?; second, does it work for small business?; and third, does it work for families?

The budget for the state is one issue that has been tackled by Taylor and Kasich over the past two years.

Taylor stated that when they took office in 2011 Ohio was in a $8 million budget deficit. Alternatives and real solutions were put in place by the administration.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that through reforms to taxes, health care, education and higher education have helped to eliminate the deficit.

The state “rainy day fund” was down to 89 cents in 2011 said Taylor. She estimated that at the end of the Fiscal Year on June 30, 2013, there will be $2 billion in the fund.

Taylor also spoke about the role she holds as she leads CSI Ohio — the Common Sense Initiative. The role of the group is to eliminate the red tape and bureaucracy to help create and sustain jobs in Ohio. Taylor used the example of a small business which had overpaid sales tax in the amount of $65,000. The business had been told it would take six months to receive the refund they were owed. CSI Ohio helped to get the refund issued to the business in two weeks time.

Obamacare is unaffordable, unsustainable and premiums will go up, said Taylor of the federal health care law passed under the Obama administration. She added that the federal government does not have the responsibility to pass a balanced budget and make tough decisions as the legislators at the state level do. The United States Senate has not passed a budget since 2009.

Taylor began hear speech by speaking of the hard work of the current and former Gallia County legislators at the state level, including State Representative Ryan Smith, State Senator Bob Peterson and former State Representative Clyde Evans.

Taylor closed by quoting Abraham Lincoln, “some achieve great success; it’s proof that others can achieve it, as well.”

Republican Chairwoman Anita Moore introduced Taylor. Prior to the dinner Taylor took time to tour a portion of the University of Rio Grande along with University President Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley.

Members of the Gallia County Vietnam Veterans of America presented the colors for the events and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Municipal Judge Margaret Evans led the National Anthem.