Ohio Municipal League
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Columbus, Ohio 43215

614-221-4349 Office
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John Mahoney
General Inquiries
info@omunileague.org

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OML E- BULLETIN
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The Week The Budget Just Wouldn't Go Away.

Usually the General Assembly passes a budget, The Governor signs it with a few exceptions, the Supreme Court doesn't even notice the hubub across the street and everyone goes home, confident that schools and state agencies will happily begin the process of spending whatever allocation they got from the process. This biennial budget, however, just continues to kick up mud all over state government.

At the Statehouse, plans to rebel against some of the Governor's line-item vetoes looked strong in the beginning of the week, especially items vetoed related to nursing home reimbursement and housing and feeding the poor. That movement, centered in the House and in need of votes from both parties, collapsed late in the week when Republicans decided that the price Democrats wanted for their support of any veto overrides was too high. Thinking negotiations were going along pretty well, Democrats fumed that the Republican leadership was just too impatient and that their requests for a little legislative quid-pro-quo for their override support were "modest." Thus this week's attempts to override the vetoes of a Republican Governor failed because other Republicans couldn't muster up support from Democrats.

Meanwhile, a Republican Supreme Court was across the street reading briefs and hearing oral arguments over whether the rest of state government had just passed a budget that met constitutional muster on its funding for primary and secondary education. That case could result in the entire state budget plan being tossed aside if the Court once again declares that the state's spending plans are not providing the resources to adequately fund education in a manner acceptable to the Court. So, while everyone at the Statehouse is still arguing about what this budget ought to look like, the Court is considering a case that could make all those Statehouse disagreements moot. Twice in the past, two Republican justices joined with the Court's two Democratic justices to declare the state's school funding efforts unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, back at the Statehouse, the Senate President announced on Thursday that given the collapse of negotiations in the House, the Senate next week may stick into a budget corrections bill (HB 299) the six items at stake in the veto override fight. If passed by the Senate and concurred in by the House that bill would once again wind up on the Governor's desk, upon which, as far as we know, still sits his veto pen for possible use.

Everything else at the Capitol is pretty much normal, with the House and Senate scheduled for one-day session this week (Thursday) to be followed by the usual summer break through Labor Day.

Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) Bill Introduced.

SB 134 was introduced this week. Under provisions of that bill, police officers and firefighters whose unions have for years fought to gain early retirement for members because of the stress of police and fire work, will be given a new alternative pension plan that will financially encourage them to continue to work for at least four years after they reach their eligible retirement age.

Under provisions of the bill, police officers and firefighters who reach the eligible age of 48 with 25 years of service could continue to work and build up dollars through their contributions and the employer's contributions for a possible lump sum benefit at the end of four to eight years. Those who choose this alternative must remain in service for at least four years or be penalized. Those who choose this alternative must retire after eight years in the program.

The League is concerned that this new financial incentive goes against the grain of the argument that 25 years of service in police or fire work is enough stress in most cases to call for a policy that encourages retirement at the end of those years. Now, we have a proposed policy that makes it more attractive to work more years rather than retire early. If such a plan is to go into effect, at least the employer should have some say in whether such extended service is in the best interest of the department.

If you have concerns or want more details on this proposal, please, contact your legislators over the summer legislative break. Also we would like to hear from you on this issue if you have concerns.

Bulletin Slows Down.

Because the General Assembly is supposed to begin its summer break, there will just be a wrap-up Legislative Bulletin published the week following recess and then Bulletins published as events warrant. The Bulletin will return to a weekly schedule when the General Assembly returns in September.

COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF JUNE 25, 2001

TUESDAY, JUNE 26

SENATE ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT, After 1:30 p.m. session, Hearing Rm. 110, Chr. Carnes, Phone: 466-8076.

HB 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BONDS (Blasdel) Declares it to be the public policy of the state to establish the Clean Ohio Fund for the purpose of achieving certain goals related to the protection of the environment and preservation of the state's natural resources. (6th Hearing - Amendments - Possible vote)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27

SENATE JUDICIARY ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 9 a.m., North Hearing Rm., Chr. Oelslager, Phone: 466-0626.