----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christine Matacic" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2011 2:24 PM
Subject: [Fwd: Legislative Alert]


> ---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
> Subject: Legislative Alert
> From:    "Heidi Fought" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date:    Sat, January 29, 2011 2:12 pm
> To:
> Cc:      "Matt DeTemple" <[log in to unmask]>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> STATEHOUSE HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK
> HB 2 Performance Audits
> This bill, when an amendment is accepted in committee next week, will
> permit a local government to request a performance audit AND request
> assistance to help pay for the performance audit.  A fund will be created
> by the Auditor of State with $1.5 million in seed money coming from the
> UAN fund.
>
> The OTA was asked to comment on the amendment. We are not thrilled with
> where the Auditor is taking the money to start the fund.  We feel that if
> there is excess money in the UAN fund, then the money should be returned
> to those entities that paid into the fund.
>
> We did eventually sign off on the amendment (see attached letter), as we
> were told that the Auditor will reinstate a rate holiday for UAN users AND
> will review UAN fee and rate structure.  Additionally, the amendment
> requires the seed money to be transferred back to the UAN fund over time.
>
>
> HB 3 Estate Tax
>
> This bill will repeal the estate tax as of January 1, 2011.  The bill had
> sponsor testimony this week in the House Ways & Means Committee.  Please
> find attached the sponsor's written testimony and then a word document of
> my notes from committee.
>
>
>
> The OTA urges small and medium townships that have benefitted from the
> estate tax this year or last year to inform your legislators of how that
> money helped you.  We are hearing from legislators that small and medium
> townships do not care about losing this revenue source!   If this is true,
> please let us know, as we, the Ohio Township Association, cannot
> effectively argue for a replacement revenue stream if townships are
> telling legislators that the money generated from the estate tax doesn't
> matter.
>
>
>
> The bill will have proponent testimony next week and we will provide you
> with a recap in the next legislative alert.
>
> -------------------------------------------------
>
> TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX
>
> As you are all aware, the tangible personal property (TPP) tax has been
> eliminated and the state has been fully reimbursing local governments and
> schools for lost TPP revenue for the last four years.  The phase-down of
> TPP reimbursements was to start at the beginning of this year but the last
> General Assembly and Governor extended the hold harmless period for 6
> additional months. As of right now, the phase-down (no longer 100%
> reimbursed) will begin with the August TPP payment.
>
>
>
> For the last five years, the OTA has been working with numerous partners
> to address the train wreck that is about to begin.  Unfortunately, the
> economy has soured and the state is now facing an $8 billion deficit so
> finding a permanent replacement revenue source has been difficult.
> HOWEVER, our coalition has met with several key players in the House
> recently, have presented the issue to the House Ways & Means Committee and
> will be meeting soon with the new Tax Commissioner and OBM Director to
> discuss the issue.
>
>
>
> We will continue to keep you posted of any new developments on this 
> matter.
>
> -------------------------------------------------
> SENATE COMMITTEES ANNOUNCED
>
> The Senate announced committee chairs and committee assignments this week.
> The chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee will be
> Senator Kris Jordan from Delaware County.  The chair of the Senate Ways &
> Means Committee will be Senator Tim Schaffer from Fairfield County and the
> chair of Senate Finance will be Senator Chris Widener from Clark County.
> The complete list of committees is attached.
>
> -------------------------------------------------
>
> Committees Next Week
>
> Wednesday, February 2
>
> House Health &
> Aging<http://www.gongwer-oh.com/index.cfm?link=committee.cfm&committee=33202&locid=2>,
> (Chr. Wachtmann, 466-3760), Rm. 116, 9 a.m.
> 1st Hearing-Sponsor on legislation from Rep. Wachtmann on pension reform
> (as of today, the bill has yet to be introduced)
> House Ways &
> Means<http://www.gongwer-oh.com/index.cfm?link=committee.cfm&committee=34202&locid=2>,
> (Chr. Stautberg, 644-6886), Rm. 114, 3:30 p.m.
> HB 3 ESTATE TAX  (Grossman)  To repeal the estate tax for the estates of
> individuals dying on or after January 1, 2011.  (2nd Hearing-Proponent)
> ------------------------------------------------
> OTHER LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
> We have been working with several legislators on legislation that would:
> - provide a blanket statute for collaboration
> - permit townships to set their own speed limits
> - alter the definition of owner for annexation
> - permit the creation of a joint police district between a township and a
> municipality
>
> Should any of these bills be introduced, we will let you know.
>
>
> 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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