Ohio Municipal League
175 South Third Street
Suite 510
Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-221-4349 Office
614-221-4390 Fax

email:
Legislative Inquiries
John Mahoney
General Inquiries
info@omunileague.org

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OML E- BULLETIN
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General Assembly Returns

This week began the 124th Session of the Ohio General Assembly. These first few weeks, especially prior to the governor's State of the State address on January 24, will be the slow gearing up to committee consideration of bills and the first salvos on the state budget in February and March, respectively. Overall, this two-year session is expected to be one marked by debate over ways to meet the demands of the Ohio Supreme Court to provide more funds and a different distribution formula for that distribution to and for Ohio's schools. That debate is expected to be colored in new hues by the fresh perspective of the one-third of the members of the General Assembly who arrive new to the legislative process and are guaranteed, by term limits, of relatively short legislative careers.

Beyond school funding, the size of state government, tax cuts and "conceal and carry" firearms debates are all expected to mark this session of the General Assembly. Within this mix, the House will be led by new leadership, the Senate will be led by leaders in the last two years of their legislative careers and the state will be led by a Governor embarking on his re-election efforts. All in all, despite expectations, it is not a time to look for the expected.

For municipalities, we think certainly the debate over changes to the annexation law will occur, probably sooner rather than later. We will also be seeking some equitable resolution to hide-bound penalties hanging over the heads of some municipalities in regard to providing medical examination records to the Ohio State Police and Fire Pension Fund. We will also continue to follow developments of that Fund's attempt to put in place a Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).

The General Assembly will also put in place soon a committee which is to report back to the General Assembly by December 1, 2001 a plan to eliminate the state Estate Tax, including the local share of that tax, by 2006. We have put together a committee of municipal officials to keep a close eye on the progress of that committee and to make suggestions to that body in the interest of the financial stability of municipalities who have the Estate Tax as a major source of income.

Finally, we know that these first few months of 2001 will include the development of implementing legislation for State Issue 1, the $400 million environmental bond issue that was passed last fall, with the League's support, by the voters of Ohio. We will be doing all we can to make sure that such implementing language includes a fair, competitive process for all municipalities which should have their applications for those funds considered.

In order for us to get this information to you and for the efficient input of this data, we would ask you to e-mail your e-mail address to omunileague@copper.net over the next week or two. Thank you.

Public Employer to Save $380 Million in Workers' Comp Costs

The Ohio Bureau Of Workers' Compensation announced savings of $380 million for public employers over the next two years. This action was approved by the Worker's Compensation Oversight Committee on Thursday, December 14.Refunds of over $180 million will be mailed to public employers by March, 2001 and the remaining $200 million in savings will take the form of a 75% one-time premium reduction in 2002.

On the other hand, public employers will see an average rate increase of 3.7%, which was approved by the Worker's Compensation Oversight Committee and based on a higher number of claims that have increased each year since 1997. Mr. Conrad, chairman of BWC, stated that the one time refund in 2001 and the one time premium reduction in 2002 will actually reduce overall workers' compensation costs.

There will be some confusion. Premium rates, by law, are based on expected losses. When public employers have an increase in the number of claims, losses are expected to rise, thus premium rates must rise. Thus the 3.7% increase. Refunds and one-time premium reductions are based on efficiencies within the bureau and successful investment policies. These are one-time events and are independent from rate settings.

700 Mhz. Organizational Planning Meeting/ Ohio Regional Planning Committee

Pursuant to the Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Docket 96-86, First Report and Order and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released September 29, 1998, notice is hereby given that an Organizational Meeting of the Region 33 Regional Planning Committee (RPC) will be held on Wednesday, February 28^th, 2001, 10:00 a.m., at the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center, 2855 West Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio.

The Convener of this meeting, designated as per the above referenced Docket, is Raymond R. Smith, from the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, 1320 Arthur E. Adams Drive, Columbus, Ohio, 43221. If further information is required, Mr. Smith can be contacted at 614-466-2257, or by e-mail at ray.smith@das.state.oh.us.

The purpose of this meeting is to formulate a statewide plan for the future use of radio frequencies in the 764/776 and 794/806 MHz. band. These frequencies would be utilized by all eligible public safety service providers, whose sole or principal purpose is to protect the safety of life, health, or property in Ohio, pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §337(f)(1)(A). It is essential that participants be representatives of all eligible public safety providers in order to ensure that your agencies' future spectrum needs are considered in the allocation process. Administrators who are not oriented in the communications field should delegate someone with this knowledge to attend, participate and represent your agency's interests.