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informative bulletin enabling citizens to keep abreast of state
legislation affecting human services in Ohio
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ISSUE
5, 125th GENERAL ASSEMBLY February 7, 2003
Budget
Corrections
The
House Finance and Appropriations Committee met this week to hear
testimony on the FYs 2004-2005 budget and House Bill 40, the Budget
Corrections Bill for FY 2003. Representative Charles Calvert
(R-Medina), Chair of the Committee, sponsors the bill. As a
courtesy, the Chair of the House Finance and Appropriations
Committee usually sponsors the Administration’s budget proposal.
Budget bills for the 2004-2005 biennium are expected to be
introduced February 24. Until then the Executive Budget is being
used.
Thomas
W. Johnson, the Director of the Office of Budget and Management
testified before committee on Wednesday, February 5 to review
Governor Taft’s plan to balance the FY 2003 state budget.
The
director identified the possibility of a war with Iraq as the
strongest current factor preventing growth in the United States’
economy. The director said, “It is preventing spending and
continuing to hold down an already weak stock market. It is raising
fears about higher oil prices. And it is further eroding consumer
confidence.” Director Johnson identified other factors
contributing to Ohio’s current fiscal situation:
The
2002 economic rebound did not happen and that the national economic
recovery is stalled.
The
manufacturing sector is struggling.
The
Governor’s plan to balance the FY 2003 budget includes the
following:
Impose
an additional 2.5 percent cut on state agencies to yield $121
million in savings. This is equivalent to an additional 5 percent
cut, on top of the 15 percent cut that most agencies have already
received this year. The Governor issued the Executive Order a couple
of weeks ago.
Cut
local governments by 2.5 percent.
Transfer
$35 million from unclaimed funds and 421 million from non-General
Revenue Fund rotary funds.
Use
the remaining $65 million balance in the Budget Stabilization Fund.
Accelerate
collections of the sales tax.
HB
40 includes a few provisions that are corrective in nature or help
the state control spending:
Child
Care cost containment:
o Lower
eligibility to 150 percent of the federal poverty level, from 185
percent
o Disenroll
existing participant above 150 percent of poverty during a six month
transition period
o Adjust
provider ceiling rates
o Increase
co-pays
Grant
the Department of Youth Services authority to modify the RECLAIM
Ohio formula if necessary, due to their budget.
Keep
confidential information regarding negotiated supplemental rebates.
The Department of Job and Family Services and drug manufacturers may
share information that could effect competition.
Meeting Time and Place: Thursdays 10:00am, Rm. 121
Committee
Schedule
.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY
10
STATE CONTROLLING
BOARD,
1:30 p.m., North Hearing Rm., Lisa Dodge, President – Phone:
644-6441.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON
AGENCY RULE REVIEW,
1:30 p.m., Rm. 121, Chr. Callender, Phone: 466-7251. (William
Hills, Executive Director)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
11
HOUSE FINANCE
& APPROPRIATIONS, 1:30
p.m., Rm. 313, Chr. Calvert, Phone: 466-8140.
HB
40 BUDGET CORRECTIONS (Calvert) Makes program and budgetary
modifications, increases the rate of tax on cigarettes and alcoholic
beverages, makes other tax modifications, and makes an
appropriation. (1st
Hearing – Proponent, opponent & interested party – Possible vote
– Pending referral)
WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 12
HOUSE HEALTH,
9 a.m., Rm. 018, Chr. Jolivette, Phone: 644-6721.
HB
8 DAY-CARE PROVIDER LICENSING (Fessler) Modifies the law
pertaining to the licensing of child day-care providers. (1st
Hearing – Sponsor)
HB
11 DAY-CARE PROVIDERS (Jerse) Creates the offenses of
misrepresentation by a child day-care provider and failure to
disclose the death or serious injury of a child. (1st
Hearing – Sponsor)
The
committee also is scheduled to hear a presentation from Dr. J. Nick
Baird , director of the Ohio Department of Health.
HOUSE FINANCE
& APPROPRIATIONS, 1:30
p.m. or after session, Rm. 313, Chr. Calvert, Phone: 466-8140.
Discussion
of issues related to Fiscal Years 2004-2005 budget and budgets of
the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Worker’s Compensation,
Ohio Industrial Commission, and Department of Public Safety.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY
13
COMMITTEE TO STUDY
STATE & LOCAL TAXES,
9:30-11:30 a.m., Senate Finance Hearing Rm., Chr. Tom Zaino, State
Tax Commissioner.
Presentation
of final report. A copy of the draft report can be obtained on the
committee’s web site at: www.state.oh.us/tax/taxstudy/taxstudy.htm
This
is a tentative meeting. Agenda to be announced.
HOUSE WAYS &
MEANS, 10:15
a.m., Rm. 121, Chr. Kilbane, Phone: 466-0961.
HB
17 STATE INCOME TAX CREDIT (Miller) Grants a state earned income
tax credit equal to 20 per cent of the federal earned income tax
credit. (1st
Hearing – Sponsor)
HOUSE FINANCE
& APPROPRIATIONS, 1:30
p.m., Rm. 313, Chr. Calvert, Phone: 466-8140.
Discussion
of issues related to Fiscal Years 2004-2005 budget and budgets of
the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Worker’s Compensation,
Ohio Industrial Commission, and Department of Public Safety.
*Committee
schedules reprinted with permission of Gongwer News Service, Inc.,
Ohio.
Robin
Harris
Director of Public Policy
Juliet
Coles Rowland, President & CEO
Jerry
Jones, Chair
Ohio
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