Ohio lawmakers pushing for federal drone funding

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(The Center Square) – Two Ohio lawmakers want President Donald Trump to put Ohio first on the list of drone dominance.

In a letter to Trump, Reps. Jonathan Newman, R-Troy, and Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, want the Buckeye State to be one of the first to get federal funding available through the “Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty” executive order.

Trump’s order came in June and said “immediate action is needed to ensure American sovereignty over its skies and that its airspace remains safe and secure.”

The order also included grants from the U.S. attorney general and the Department of Homeland Security for state and local governments to buy drones or equipment to detect, track or identify drones.

That’s the money Newman and Willis believe should come to Ohio.

“Ohio is the state with the people who can solve the problems posed by unmanned aircraft,” Willis said. “In the home of aviation, protecting the airspace domain is critical to the development of the aerospace future. We are ready to act in support of President Trump’s executive order on the subject.”

Newman said law enforcement agencies throughout the state have expressed concerns over risks from drones.

“There has been a consistent alarm heard from law enforcement leaders that they do not have the equipment needed to address the risks presented by drones, which will likely be the method of terrorist attacks in the future,” Newman said. "We must get prepared to address those risks now."

More than half of the Ohio House members signed the letter, which also outlined the state’s place in aerospace innovation, defense manufacturing and a network of military installations and defense industry partners.

“In June, Gov. DeWine signed Ohio’s state operating budget into law, which included key provisions to strengthen drone safety across the state,” the letter reads. “While this marks an important step forward, it also underscores the urgent need for continued action.”