Governor activity
Gov. Mike DeWine announced that a revised mask order and new social gathering order will be issued. Links to the orders are forthcoming.
House Finance Committee
The committee accepted a substitute version of House Bill (HB) 305, which creates a new school-funding formula. Testifying in support of the bill were:
- Ryan Pendleton, treasurer, Akron City;
- Jared M. Bunting, treasurer, Trimble Local (Athens);
- Dr. Michael P. Hanlon Jr, superintendent, Chardon Local (Geauga);
- Claudia Zaler, treasurer/chief financial officer, Waverly City;
- Jenni L. Logan, treasurer, Lakota Local (Butler);
- Scot T. Prebles, superintendent, Forest Hills Local (Hamilton);
- Carrie J. Herringshaw, treasurer, Penta Career Center;
- Dr. Jerome R. Brockway, superintendent, Ashtabula County Technical & Career Center;
- Cajon Keeton, treasurer, Benton-Carroll-Salem Local (Ottawa);
- Dr. Michael L. Tefs, superintendent, Wooster City.
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 480, sponsored by Reps. J. Todd Smith (R-Farmersville) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), which appropriates $1 million to Montgomery County school districts that were affected by the May 2019 tornado and lost more than $750,000 in property tax revenue due to the weather event.
House Ways and Means Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 751, sponsored by Rep. Brett Hudson Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville), which modifies the law regarding property tax valuation complaints to include tenants of the property who pay the entire amount of taxes charged against the property.
The committee held a second hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 212, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), which provides a full or partial tax exemption to developers and owners of newly constructed homes within specified areas during the construction period and for 10 years after the home is occupied.
House Civil Justice Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on SB 293, sponsored by Sens. Nathan H. Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Louis W. Blessing III (R-Colerain Township), which creates a procedure within the court of claims to hear complaints alleging a violation of the Open Meetings Act.
Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on HB 679, sponsored by Reps. Mark Fraizer (R-Newark) and Adam Holmes (R-Nashport), which establishes and modifies requirements regarding the telehealth services of school psychologists, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, among others.
House State and Local Government Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, sponsored by Sens. Kristina D. Roegner (R-Hudson) and Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House), which urges Congress to enact The Sunshine Protection Act of 2019, which would permanently extend daylight saving time.
House Health Committee
The committee held sponsor testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 25, sponsored by Reps. Thomas West (D-Canton) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland), which urges the governor to declare a state of emergency on childhood trauma in Ohio.
Ohio Controlling Board
The Ohio Controlling Board approved a request for $8.6 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund for joint vocational school districts. Click here to view a simulation of the distribution of funds. Click here for guidance on the use of funds and click here for the submitted request.
Additionally, the Ohio Controlling Board approved a request to increase appropriation authority in the amount of $150 million in fiscal year 2021 for the Summer Food Service Program and to reimburse meals served by schools, districts and other program providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the submitted request.
Posted by Nicole Piscitani 11/13/2020