Ohio Municipal League
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Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-221-4349 Office
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email:
Legislative Inquiries
John Mahoney
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Annexation Legislation Set to Go to the Governor.

Following a quick conference committee on SB 5, the annexation legislation, both the House and the Senate accepted a conference report that fixes a problem in the notification process surrounding annexations. With that acceptance, the bill now goes, within the next few days, to the Governor for his signature or veto.

Again if you have concerns about this bill, now is the time to call or write to the Governor asking him to veto SB 5.

Speaking of Vetoes.

Much of the legislative speculation this week surrounded the issues given rise to by the Governor's generous use of his veto pen in signing the state's biennial budget. The Governor signed the $45 billion two-year budget, but not before he line-item vetoed 49 items inserted by the General Assembly.

Though the Senate has enough votes to override vetoes with just majority party votes, the House is one vote short in that the majority caucus has 59 votes and it takes 60 votes to override any vetoes. This has led to conversations between the majority Republicans and minority Democrats in the House as to what deal can be made between the two parties on overriding some or all of the Governor's vetoes. The House would have to act first on any overrides in that the budget is always a bill that begins its legislative journey in that body. Veto overrides can take place anytime during the two-year session of the legislature in which the veto occurred, though it is expected that any actions regarding these vetoes will take place prior to the summer legislative break. That break will begin at the end of this coming week or the week following and last into September.

Meanwhile on other budget matters, late this week lawyers for both sides started plunking down reams of documents for consideration by the Supreme Court on whether what was done in this budget renders the state's formulas and actions a constitutional plan for funding primary and secondary education in Ohio. A hearing on that matter is scheduled before the Court next week.

HB 3, Environmental Grants Program, Moves Through the House.

HB 3 (Blasdel), a bill that will pump $200 million into local green and brownfield project over the next four years, flew through the House by a 99-0 vote this week. The bill now goes to the Senate where it is scheduled for an expedited set of five hearings this coming week. The Senate schedule indicates an intent to complete this bill and send it to the Governor prior to the legislature's summer break.

In general, the League is supportive of the work done by the House on HB 3. Through the use of Ohio Public Works local integrating committees to either set priorities (brownfield projects) or to appoint local decision-making committees to choose green space projects, the House has insured a great deal of local decision-making in the awarding of these new grants. That local decision-making, we believe, was bolstered by the House committee's acceptance of several amendments, suggested by the League, in the committee's final consideration of the bill.

If all goes well, grants under this program should be available early next year. As soon as it is finally clear, the League will provide a detailed outline of how this program can make dollars available to your community.

COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF JUNE 18, 2001