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Ohio Municipal League email:
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OML LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN No. 16 May 17, 2002 PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS BULLETIN TO YOUR COUNCIL, DEPARTMENT HEADS & STAFF General Assembly Wrangles with Budget Fix; 6% Cut to Local Government Funds Offered. Late this week, things fell apart a bit when it became clear that the Ohio House was not up for passing a package, supported by the Governor and Senate leadership, to fix the $1.9 billion budget hole in the state budget. That package (SB 261) includes a 50-cent increase on the cigarette tax, grabbing $600 million from the state's "rainy day" fund, $500 million more in state agency cuts and, of course, a 6% cut in aid to local government. This last item will pass along to local governments $77 million of the state's budget problems by cutting the Local Government Fund (LGF), the Local Government Revenue Assistance Fund (L-GRAF) and the Local Governments and Libraries Fund. This cut is over and above the reductions you have already experienced through the "freeze and formula" solution that was put into the last budget fix. We estimate that formula has already reduced local government funds by 2% from the last biennial budget. This easy fix of grabbing local government funds to ease the state's budget burdens comes in the middle of local government budgets, which are on a calendar year, and at a time when local revenues, especially in income-tax reliant municipalities, are suffering their own downturn. If this reduction occurs, it will be the third time the state has said in the last twelve months, "Oh, I know we told you to base your budget on this much money, but we really didn't mean it." The last time this 6% reduction was proposed, your calls, letters and personal contacts with your local legislators really made a difference. Legislators listened to your descriptions of how this kind of cut would hurt the security and services of your community. The last time this cut came up, the House said we would have to go another way and the Senate agreed. We need your help again. You can make a difference on this issue. House and Senate panels are meeting over this weekend, but many of your local legislators will be home to take your phone call. Please, let them know what this kind of cut to local government aid will mean to your city or village. Both the House and the Senate would like to act on some budget fix by the end of next week. Your quick input and opposition to this 6% cut is critical to the General Assembly seeking a solution to their budget problems that will not just pass their problems onto local government. A Little Christmas Tree in May. SB 187 was a simple bill when it left the Ohio Senate. It just allowed school board members to make a few extra bucks. But, when the Ohio House evidently everyone was feeling a little merry, which led to the bill becoming a bit of a Christmas Tree. 'Tis the season, as they say, during the Yuletide and Election Years. First, a committee amendment changed the way the successor is chosen in statutory communities when the Mayor leaves mid-term. Used to be the President of Council just moved up. Then the party central committee made the choice. Now someone wants to change it back to President of Council. Then, someone wanted to make a change in the eligibility requirements of a high school athlete. Then, finally, on the House floor, by voice vote, someone wanted to make sure that the world was safe for a very loud Ozzy Osbourne concert. The amendment deleted from law a provision, passed by the General Assembly just a few years ago, that allowed municipalities to get together to jointly enforce noise ordinances. The amendment effectively tries to thwart the ability of the cities of Columbus and Westerville, through a joint agreement, from policing noise at the Polaris Amphitheater. Good Gosh! Polaris may have to close down if it can't make as much noise as it wants, legislators were told. Sounds like a crisis to us! Something this important might at least deserve a couple of Statehouse public hearings so legislators could hear both sides of the story. Fortunately, the Senate put a temporary halt to these holiday amendments, with a nod to the "single subject" rule of the Ohio Constitution, by not concurring immediately with House amendments. A conference committee on SB 187 to discuss these matters is probable. ROW Bill Still in Negotiations. Please, note on your committee schedule that the Right-of-Way bill (SB 255) is up for a hearing and possible vote next week in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. At press time, that bill and its specifics are still being negotiated among legislators, the League, OMEA and other municipal representatives and the utility companies. COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF MAY 20, 2002 Monday, May 20 Tuesday, May 21 HOUSE FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS, 1:30 p.m., Rm. 313, Chr.
Carey, Phone: 466-1366. HEALTH & FAMILY SERVICES, 2 p.m., Rm. 017, Chr. Jolivette,
Phone: 644-6721. WAYS & MEANS, After Session, South Hearing Rm., Chr.
Blessing, Phone: 466-8068. The Ways & Means Committee, depending upon the length of the full Senate session, may meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday to hear the above bills. CALL OML OFFICE FOR UPDATE IF NEEDED. Wednesday, May 22 HEALTH & FAMILY SERVICES, 9 a.m., Rm. 018, Chr. Jolivette,
Phone: 644-6721. Thursday, May 23 HOUSE FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS, 9 a.m., Rm. 313, Chr. Carey, Phone: 466-1366. SB 261 TAX INCREASE/BUDGET (Carnes) (Possible vote - Pending referral) Friday, May 24 HOUSE FINANCE & APPROPRIATIONS, 9 a.m., Rm. 313, Chr.
Carey, Phone: 466-1366. |
