----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christine Matacic" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 12:09 AM
Subject: [Fwd: Legislative Alert]


> ---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
> Subject: Legislative Alert
> From:    "Heidi Fought" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date:    Fri, February 4, 2011 9:53 pm
> To:
> Cc:      "Matt DeTemple" <[log in to unmask]>
>         "Andrew huffman ([log in to unmask])" <[log in to unmask]>
>         "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
>         "Marie Kappes GPG" <[log in to unmask]>
>         "Matt Whitehead" <[log in to unmask]>
>         "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> STATEHOUSE HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK
> HB 2 Performance Audits (Snitchler)
> This bill was not voted out of committee this week, nor were any
> amendments accepted.  The bill is scheduled for amendments and a vote in
> State Government Committee and then will head to the Finance Committee for
> a hearing and vote.
>
> HB 3 Estate Tax (Grossman)
> This week the bill had proponent testimony.  A recap of the testimony is
> attached.  Should you want the actual written testimony of the speakers,
> please feel free to e-mail me.  It is a rather large file.
>
> It is our understanding that a potential sub bill will be introduced next
> Wednesday in the House Ways & Means Committee.  The sub bill will change
> the repeal date from January 1, 2011 to January 1, 2013.  This, in effect,
> buys local governments 2 years of estate tax revenue.
>
> The Chairman has scheduled HB 3 for proponent and opponent testimony next
> Wednesday, February 9.  If you are interested in testifying on this bill,
> please let me know and I will make arrangements with the Chairman of the
> committee.  You will need 35 copies of written testimony.
>
> Additionally, if you are attending the OTA conference next week and will
> be coming in on Wednesday, you are encouraged to attend the hearing on HB
> 3, which is scheduled for 3:30 pm in room 114 of the Ohio Statehouse.
>
> When the OTA testifies, we will submit testimonials from townships that
> may not be able to attend the hearings and testify in person.  We
> encourage you to send us information!
>
> Finally, the OTA has put together some basic talking points on the Estate
> Tax.  These will be included in conference materials and so please feel
> free to use the information when speaking to legislators.  We will update
> these talking points as needed.
>
> HB 69 Retirement Bill (Wachtmann)
> This bill is the large retirement system bill that encompasses all the
> changes proposed by the five retirement systems.  The bill had a sponsor
> hearing in the Health & Aging Committee and then was referred to the
> Pension Reform Subcommittee.
> THIS BILL DOES INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD REQUIRE A PERSON EARN $1000 PER
> MONTH IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR 1 FULL YEAR OF SERVICE CREDIT.  The language
> can be found on pages 21-22 of the bill or lines 624-672.  You may read
> the full bill or the analysis at
> http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_69.
>
> The OTA will be sending letters to legislators opposing this section of
> the bill.
>
> SENATE BILLS
> The Senate introduced the first bills of the session this week most
> notably, Senate Bills 3 and 5.  Senate Bill 3 is likely to be the
> companion bill to House Bill 69 (above) and SB 5 will deal with collective
> bargaining.  While the bills do not give details at this time, please
> watch future legislative updates for more information.
>
>
> FEDERAL HAPPENINGS
> Our national association (NATaT) has distributed their Federal Report for
> February.  Please find it attached.
>
> 1099 REQUIREMENT
> Also, this week the US Senate passed legislation that would repeal the
> 1099 requirement that was included in the federal health care bill last
> year.  The amendment would repeal a provision in the health care overhaul
> law (PL 111-148, PL 111-152) requiring businesses (including local
> governments) to submit a 1099 form to the IRS for each vendor to whom they
> pay more than $600 each year for goods.  Democrats and Republicans, as
> well as the president, have said the 1099 provision is too burdensome and
> should be eliminated.  A House committee is scheduled to take this issue
> up next week.  Stay tuned for future updates.
>
>
> OTA CONFERENCE
> At the conference next Saturday, the OTA will be sponsoring a panel that
> will include several think tanks that have issued reports pertaining to
> transforming government in Ohio, including local government.  The panel
> will include a representative from Greater Ohio, Center for Community
> Solutions and Policy Matters Ohio.  If you are attending the conference
> next week, we encourage you to attend session on Saturday!
>
>
> OTHER
> Due to the OTA conference next week, there will likely not be a
> legislative update next week.  I will try and compile all legislative
> happenings the following week.  Thank you for your understanding.
>
>
>
> 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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