All,

Please review the information below and see the attachments from Heidi 
Fought of the Ohio Township Association . If you are so inclined, this would 
be the time to raise your voices to the appropriate State and Federal 
representatives.

SB 297 - It appears legislation will be introduced next year by Senator 
Seitz. He has been working with the Ohio Township Association on this for a 
while. Senator Seitz began his public service as a Green Township Trustee in 
Hamilton County.

Federal Health Care Issue Affecting Townships Section 9006 - this can be an 
administrative nightmare.

Local Government Funds and Consolidation - Reform of local governments is 
being discussed at the State level as one way to patch up the pending 
budgetary woes.


As you can see, we are going to have a busy year ahead of us. Being 
proactive with these and other issues can only help us all.


Sincerely,
Christine Matacic
(513) 779-2659
(513) 652-2659 - cell


>
> SB 297 (Seitz) Township Bill
> To require township consent for certain economic development-motivated
> property tax exemptions in annexed but undetached township territory, to
> shield some township levies from such exemption, to specify that political
> subdivisions owning property in unincorporated territory are counted for
> the purpose of determining whether the requisite number of owners have
> petitioned for annexation of that territory, to permit local authorities
> to hold closed meetings to discuss details and terms of pending economic
> development assistance, to expressly require applicants for Power Siting
> Board approval of major new utility facilities to notify affected
> townships of the application, and to shorten the time allowed for
> remediation of certain nuisances before abatement action can be taken by a
> township.
>
> Senator Seitz has introduced a piece of legislation that addresses several
> of the OTA's legislative priorities for the 128th General Assembly.
> Please find attached the summary of the bill prepared by his office with
> our assistance.
>
> You are strongly encouraged to contact your state senator to express your
> support of the bill.  Find an issue or two in the bill and explain how
> this legislation could assist you.  should you have any questions about
> the bill, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
>
>
> Federal Health Care Issue Affecting Townships
> Section 9006 of the health care bill (the Patient Protection and
> Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148)) requires all businesses, charities,
> associations, and state and local governments to file 1099 forms if they
> purchase $600 or more in goods from individuals or corporations during a
> calendar year. This includes everything from office supplies and shipping
> costs to phone and internet services. In addition, staff would also have
> to keep track of multiple payments and obtain the personal tax
> identification information of each vendor that they conduct business with.
> Such requirements would pose a major administrative burden on towns and
> townships, many of which have limited staff capacity to manage the
> required paperwork and compliance obligations.
>
> These requirements are effective for purchases made in 2012 that will be
> reported on 1099 forms filed in 2013. Currently, 1099s are only used to
> document income for individual contract workers and are not used for
> corporations or for purchasing goods.  Section 9006 was intended to be a
> fundraiser for the rest of the health care bill; the Congressional Budget
> Office projects it will deliver $17 billion over the course of 10 years by
> reducing business tax evasion.  However, a July 2010 report issued by the
> Office of the Taxpayer Advocate states that "the new reporting burden,
> particularly as it falls on small businesses, may turn out to be
> disproportionate as compared with any resulting improvement in tax
> compliance."
>
> NATaT and the OTA urges Congress to repeal Section 9006 of the health care
> bill and remove businesses, charities, associations, and state and local
> governments from these unnecessary reporting requirements.
>
> You are strongly encouraged to call your congressional member and Senators
> Voinovich and Brown to urge their support of repealing this section.
>
>
> Groups Urging Reform of Local Governments
> Last week, the Columbus Metropolitan Club held a discussion on the topic
> of the state budget and ways to help the state cut revenue.  The
> discussion centered on the theme of local government consolidation.
> Representatives from the Ohio Society of CPAs, Center for Community
> Solutions and Greater Ohio offered suggestions on patching the budget
> shortfall by reducing redundancy in local government as a necessary
> measure to ease the state's long-term budget woes.  Specifically, comments
> were made regarding the number of local government jurisdictions in the
> state, the service delivery areas and the duties performed by each entity.
>
> One presenter suggested that the state could withhold about half of the $1
> billion Local Government Fund to use as grants for entities that share
> operations and reduce spending.  Another suggested the state create a
> local government commission to recommend farreaching changes to school
> districts and local entities.  Yet another quoted recent polls that
> indicate public support for reducing government services.  The speakers
> said an equitable solution would require a departure from the usual
> practice of each constituency fighting to protect its own interests.
>
>
>
> Here are links to reports from each organization that was present.
>
> http://www.communitysolutions.com/assets/1/AssetManager/Thinking_the_Unthinkable_Begala_WEB.pdf
>
> http://www.ohioscpa.com/GovernmentalAffairs/IssueMonitoring/BudgetCrisis.aspx
>
> http://www.greaterohio.org/policy-and-research/
>
>
>
> You are encouraged to visit the websites and read the materials.  Please
> be aware that this issue will likely come up in the 129th General Assembly
> and we all definitely need to be alert to these issues over the next 7-8
> months.
>
>
>
> Zoning Sessions
> October 1, October 8 & October 15
> There are still plenty of spaces available for the zoning sessions being
> offered by the State Association every Friday from now until October 15.
> The workshops will begin at 9:30 and conclude around 3:00 pm.  Lunch is
> included with the registration fee.
>
> For details about each session being offered and a registration form,
> please see the attached 2 page document.
>
>
> Attention Carroll, Columbiana, Mahoning, Jefferson, Portage, Stark, Summit
> and Tuscarawas Counties
> Oil & Gas Meeting (See Attached Notice)
> The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and County Records Offices
> report a DELUGE of landsmen trying to quickly sign up landowners to
> long-term oil and gas drilling leases.  There have been numerous reports
> of these folks using all types of pressure tactics and dubious facts.
> From May - July in Columbiana County alone, 208 leases were recorded,
> whereas the prior three months only 18 had been recorded.
>
> The decision to lease can make or break the livelihoods of these
> landowners and farmers. They must become educated about all the pros and
> cons and how to obtain a competent attorney.
>
> This information was submitted to us by Vanessa Pesec of NEOGAP - Ohio
> (www.neogap.org<http://www.neogap.org>).
>
>
>
> Heidi M. Fought
> Director of Governmental Affairs
> Ohio Township Association
> 6500 Taylor Road, Suite A
> Blacklick, OH 43004
> (614) 863-0045
> (614) 863-9751 Fax
>
>
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