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Legislative Bulletin
August 5, 2022

OML UPDATE AT A GLANCE

AUGUST PRIMARY CONCLUDES AMID LOW VOTER TURNOUT
The August 2 primary election for state legislative offices experienced voter turnout slightly below 8%, with most incumbent lawmakers winning. See more below.

STATE OFFICES PREPARING FOR NEXT OPERATING BUDGET
In preparation for the FY 2024-2025 state operating budget, state entities have been asked to submit just one proposed funding scenario to the Office of Budget and Management. The planning process for the previous budget had asked agencies to provide two funding scenarios – one representing a 10% reduction and another calling for resources needed to maintain the status quo – in reaction the effects of the global pandemic.

APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS FOR POLICE BODY CAMERA GRANTS
The Ohio Department of Public Safety is now taking applications for $5 million in grants to help law enforcement agencies obtain and maintain body cameras and associated equipment and services. The Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program assists law enforcement agencies with costs related to cameras, video storage, public record management personnel and other expenses. Applications are due Sept. 8. More Info

OHIO COMMUNITIES LOSING OUT BECAUSE OF TAX BREAK, ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY
A new study from Policy Matters Ohio says Ohio communities lost $1 billion from taxes that would have been paid had the the state not implemented a tax break for limited-liability companies, S corporations, sole proprietorships and partnerships. See more below.

REGIONAL CONFERENCES WRAP UP
OML is wrapping up its regional conferences, with the final one taking place in Findlay today. Each one-day event throughout the summer has offered the convenience of being close to home while covering a variety of subject matter important to municipalities. Thanks to all those who attended these conferences!

CONFERENCE SURVEY
OML distributed a survey to its membership earlier this week to gain input in preparation for its Annual Conference taking place Oct. 12-14. If you have not yet completed the survey, please take a moment to do so here.
AUGUST PRIMARY CONCLUDES AMID LOW VOTER TURNOUT

The August 2 primary election for state legislative offices experienced voter turnout slightly below 8%, with most incumbent lawmakers winning. The primary had been pushed back from May because of disagreements on the legislative-district maps drawn for reapportionment – with the Ohio Supreme Court striking down various versions of the maps.

Most incumbent lawmakers running for re-election were successful in their races, with the following exceptions:

  • House District 61 – Rep. Shawn Stevens, a Republican from Sunbury previously appointed to complete the term of former Rep. Rick Carfagna, lost his race to Beth Lear. Lear had also applied to the previously vacated seat. She is a former House aide and policy analyst who has most recently lobbied for the central Ohio chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors.
  • House District 68 – Rep. Mark Fraizer, a Republican from Newark, lost his race to Thad Claggett. The two had run against each other in a past primary election. Claggett is president of a construction company.
  • House District 16 – Rep. Monique Smith, from North Olmsted, lost to Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney, from Westlake. Both are Democrats who were running in the same district based on the new House-district map.

Also of note, current Rep. Kent Smith, a Democrat from Euclid, won his election against former Rep. John Barnes Jr. in Senate District 21.

The 2022 maps for the Ohio House, Ohio Senate, and Ohio congressional districts are available here. The general election will take place Nov. 8, 2022.
OHIO COMMUNITIES LOSING OUT BECAUSE OF TAX BREAK, ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY

A new study from Policy Matters Ohio, a left-leaning policy research institute, says Ohio communities lost $1 billion from taxes that would have been paid had the the state not implemented a tax break for limited-liability companies, S corporations, sole proprietorships and partnerships.

The study also said most of these "pass-through entities" cannot be categorized as bona fide businesses and that the tax break has not led to growth in small businesses since its implementation, which was used to argue for the tax break.

In a press release, the author of the study said, "Budget cuts that started under Gov. John Kasich have taken about $1 billion a year from the local government fund which paves our roads, makes sure our stores and restaurants are clean, and keeps our air and water safe. By closing the LLC loophole, our lawmakers can restore that funding." 
UPCOMING EVENTS

Mayor's Court Three-hour Refresher Training
Aug. 12 | Virtual
This virtual training course is for mayors and magistrates who have previously completed their six-hour initial training requirement and must complete three hours of continuing education each year. OML will also offer three-hour refresher courses on Oct. 14 (in conjunction with OML's Annual Conference) and Nov. 9 (virtual). More Info

Webinar: Why the Popularity of Electric Vehicles is Surging and What Ohio Municipalities Should Do About It
11 a.m. -12 p.m. | Aug. 22 | Virtual
This webinar will explain why EVs are surging in popularity, the benefits of EVs, and what elected officials in cities and villages should be thinking about in preparation for EV adoption in their areas of responsibility. The presentation will reference the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program plan and provide suggested action items for OML members. Register

Grants Training
Sept. 22-23 | Cincinnati Police Academy Spinney Field Complex
Grant Writing USA and the Cincinnati Police Academy will present a two-day grants workshop in Cincinnati for grant seekers across all disciplines. Attendees will learn how to find the funding sources and write winning grant proposals. More Info
MEMBERSHIP INFO: OML-Affiliated Associations
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