Jonathan Dever

Jonathan Dever
Member of the
Ohio House of Representatives
from the 28th district
Assumed office
January 6, 2015
Preceded by Connie Pillich
Chairman Financial Institutions Housing and Urban Development
Assumed office
May, 2016
Preceded by Louis Terhar
Personal details
Born (1972-11-28) November 28, 1972
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Martha
Children 2
Residence Madeira, Ohio
Alma mater University of Cincinnati
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Capital University Law School
Profession Attorney

Jonathan Dever (born November 28, 1972) is the Representative for the 28th district of the Ohio House of Representatives. Dever was raised in Montgomery, Ohio and went on to graduate with a BA from University of Cincinnati, an MILR from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a JD from Capital University Law School. He has since started the Dever Law Firm in Cincinnati, where he lives with his wife and two sons.[1] In 2014, Dever opted to run for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 28th district, which had been represented by Democrat Connie Pillich for the prior six years. In a close primary, Dever prevailed by 66 votes.[2] He would go on to face Democrat Micah Kamrass, in what would be one of the closest watched state House races of the cycle.[3] He would ultimately defeat Kamrass 56%-44% to take the seat.

Representative Dever was appointed by the Speaker to serve as Chairman of the Financial Institutions, Housing and Urban Development Committee during his first term where he continues to serve. In addition he serves on Civil Justice and Public Utilities Committees. He also serves on the Ohio ABLE Program Advisory Board, Ohio Commission on African American Males, Council of State Governments - BILLD Steering Committee, Hamilton County Transportation Improvement District, Ohio Minority Development Financing Advisory Board, and the Ohio Rail Development Commission. [4]

Early life and education

Dever was born in Tacoma, Washington as his father, a Cincinnati native, was stationed at Fort Lewis Military Base during the Vietnam Conflict. His father instilled in him the values of public service and after an Honorable Discharge, the Dever family moved back home to the Cincinnati area.

Dever was raised in Montgomery, Ohio and went on to graduate with a BA from University of Cincinnati where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Later, he earned a master's degree in Industrial Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and subsequently earned his Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School. He has since started the Dever Law Firm in West Chester, Ohio. He currently he lives in Madeira with his wife and two sons.

Ohio General Assembly

Ohio House of Representatives

In the General Assembly's annual Family Feud event, he was selected as the most influential first term legislator. He currently serves as Chairman of the Ohio House Financial Institutions, Housing and Urban Development Committee.

Education Policy

Dever has been an outspoken advocate for fair and adequate funding for public education.[5][6] Dever also co-sponsored legislation to provide additional accountability for state charter schools.[7]

Disability Policy

The Ohio ABLE Act ]was the first of its kind state program which allows those with a qualifying disability to save for their disability expenses into a 529(a) savings account. Dever led the effort to ensure that Ohio was the first in the Nation. [8] [9] In the 131st General Assembly, he championed legislation which allowed for tax parity for ABLE Account holders. Contributions to ABLE Accounts now receive same tax treatment as saving for a child's 529. It also allows out of state families to participate in the Ohio program. This legislation was amended into the DD MBR and was passed by both chambers.

Dever also worked to remove the term "mentally retarded" from the Ohio Revised Code and its State documents. This legislation was extremely technical as these changes effected the prison system, reimbursement for medical treatment, and the administration of services at the county level.[10]

Dever has also sponsored legislation to urge Congress to allow those with a disability to serve in the armed forces.

Financial Institutions and Housing Issues

Dever has sponsored several pieces of legislation to modernize state law governing housing and financial services.

  • HB 303 - The DOLLAR Deed - allows a homeowner to stay in their home as a tenant when facing foreclosure rather than being put out on the street. DOLLAR stands for Deed Over your property in exchange for a Lender Lease and an Agreed Repurchase. It allows people the chance to get back on their feet and keep their home.[11][12][13]
  • HB 463 - Foreclosure Reform - overhauls the processes and procedures related to foreclosure. And for the first time, gives power and tools to local governments to solve their blighted and abandoned properties. The Bill passed the House earlier in the month and was amended into HB 390 so that it would pass before the summer.[14] It additionally modifies elections law pertaining to citizen initiative petitions, granting the "quasi-judicial" power of judicial review to the executive-branch appointed officials of county Boards of Elections to refuse to place issues on the ballot if they deem them to be invalid. HB 463 has been challenged as unconstitutional on grounds of breaking separation of powers, and also because of the "one subject" rule in the Ohio constitution.[15]

Combating the Heroin Epidemic

Dever fought for funding to double the treatment option in Hamilton County. He also sponsored legislation to treat heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine the same when it comes to punishing drug traffickers. Prior to this change in law, heroin was treated similar to marijuana trafficking.[16][17][18]

Central Corridor Gas Pipeline Extension Project

Dever has major concerns with the proposed routes for Duke Energy's Central Corridor Gas Pipeline Extension Project, stating that the routes that run through residential neighborhoods would jeopardize families, schools, and communities. Dever supports the establishment of a dialogue between Duke Energy and local residents and officials so that all interested parties have the opportunity to address their concerns before any further action is taken.[19]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

In January 2018, Dever was rumored to be on the short list to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the leading federal consumer watchdog agency. The post was vacated by Richard Cordray who left the post to pursue the Democratic nomination for Governor of Ohio.[20][21]

Political Campaigns

2014 Campaign

In 2014, Dever ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 28th district, which had been represented by Democrat Connie Pillich since 2009. In a close primary, Dever prevailed by 66 votes. He would go on to face Democrat Micah Kamrass, in what would be one of the closest watched State House races of the 2014 campaign cycle. He would ultimately defeat Kamrass 56%-44% and was sworn in as State Representative in January, 2015.

2016 Campaign

Running for a second term in the Ohio House, Dever was unopposed in the 2016 Primary Election. He would ultimately defeat Democrat Jessica Miranda 57%-42%.

2018 Campaign

Running for a third term in the Ohio House, Dever received 99.36% of the vote in the 2018 Primary Election.[22]

References

  1. ↑ "About Jonathan Dever". Retrieved 2014-12-10.
  2. ↑ "Dever officially wins House GOP race". Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati. 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2014-12-10.
  3. ↑ "Streetcar opponent, ex-OSU student prez in tight race". Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati. 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2014-12-10.
  4. ↑ "Representative Jonathan Dever (R) - Biography | The Ohio House of Representatives". ohiohouse.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  5. ↑ "Dever: School funding fight not over". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  6. ↑ "GOP plan spares Mason, Lakota, other schools". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  7. ↑ "House Bill 2 - Summary | The Ohio Legislature". www.legislature.ohio.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  8. ↑ "The Akron Legal News". www.akronlegalnews.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  9. ↑ "ABLE savings accounts coming to Ohio". Autism Speaks. 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  10. ↑ Jacon-Duffy, Marais (2016-01-30). "Ohio House unanimously votes to ban 'R-word' from state law". WCPO. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  11. ↑ "Column: House bills make home ownership easier". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  12. ↑ "Daily Court Reporter : News : Bill proposing buy-back program for foreclosed properties progresses". www.dailycourt.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  13. ↑ "Bill proposing buy-back program for foreclosed properties progresses | The Daily Reporter". www.thedailyreporteronline.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  14. ↑ "Ohio Legislature Contemplating Streamlining Foreclosures of Vacant and Abandoned Properties". Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  15. ↑ "Anti-fracking group claims rejection of charter violates the Constitution". Athens NEWS. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  16. ↑ "Crackdown on heroin dealers?". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  17. ↑ "Column: Ohio Legislature is battling heroin epidemic". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  18. ↑ Group, Sinclair Broadcast. "Heroin bill to increase penalties for dealers". WTTE. Retrieved 2016-06-02.
  19. ↑ "Dever to Duke: Ditch gas pipeline routes". Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  20. ↑ "Cincinnati-area lawmaker's name floated to lead Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, report says". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  21. ↑ "A new name emerges as possible head of CFPB". American Banker. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  22. ↑ Communications, Strata-G. "Hamilton County Board Of Elections | Election Results". boe.hamilton-co.org. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
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