CEA Legislative Article

Legislatures Returning in the Fall  

Lawmakers will begin session after the traditional summer recess with committees and session scheduled to start in mid to late September.  Topics of interest to CEA members include but are not limited to prompt pay, joint purchasing, and unemployment compensation. Cleveland Council and County Council will also return to their normal schedules mid-September.  

Marijuana Legalization on the Ballot in November 

The citizen initiative would legalize and regulate cultivation, manufacturing, testing and sale of marijuana to Ohioans 21+.  It will appear before voters as Issue 2 - To Commercialize, Regulate, Legalize and Tax the Adult Use of Cannabis.   The measure would:  

• Legalize home growth for Ohioans 21 and up, with a limit of six plants per person and twelve plants per residence and allow possession of up to 2.5 ounces (about 73.93 ml) of marijuana, although landlords would be able to prohibit growing activities. 

• Impose a 10% tax at the point of sale for each transaction. 

• The proposal calls for a 10% adult use tax on top of existing sales taxes. 

• Split between local governments with operating dispensaries (36%) 

• A social equity and cannabis jobs fund (36%) 

• Substance abuse programming (25%)  

• A new Division of Cannabis Control (3%). 

Opponents: Gov. DeWine said business, health and law enforcement officials in Colorado told him the result of a 2012 vote to make recreational use of the drug legal has been an "unmitigated disaster." Besides the Governor opponents (Ohio Workers and Families) include the Ohio Children's Hospital Association, Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Adolescent Health Association, Buckeye Sheriffs Association, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Ohio Veterans First, Ohio Association of Ohio Health Commissioners, Ohio Manufacturers Association, Veterans Court Watch and Smart Approaches to Marijuana.  

Proponents: The group supporting the proposal, the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, argued the proposal models the best practices of 23 other states.  Backers state the proposal would generate several hundred million in annual revenues for state and local governments. 

September Legislative Meeting Special Guest Ryan Puente 

We are pleased to inform you that Ryan Puente from Cleveland Mayor Bibb’s administration, will be joining CEA at its legislative meeting September 13th.  Ryan serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Government Affairs Officer.  He served as Mayor Bibb’s campaign manager, the executive director of the Cuyahoga County Democratic party, manager of community education at the Neighborhood Institute, and a research analyst at Burges and Burges. He is a graduate of George Mason (MPA) and Ohio University (BA).  

CEA / CAA Outreach 

CEA and CAA have had positive conversations with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, NASA, and the Ohio Veterans Homes about their needs for work including with small and diverse contractors. CEA and CAA look forward to continued interaction with these departments.  

Local Issues on Ballot  

These Cuyahoga ballot issues may be of interest due to construction or renovation or the city / countywide reach of the ballot issue: 

Bedford City School District - - Proposed Bond Issue for construction and other work to school district buildings for a principal amount of $161,130,000. 

Cuyahoga County Community College District - Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal and Increase) 

A renewal of 2.1 mills and increase of 0.4 mill for each $1 of taxable value. It is a tax for the benefit of the Cuyahoga Community College which amounts to $67 for each $100,000 of appraised value, for ten years. 

Shaker Heights City School District - Proposed Bond Issue for construction and other work to school district buildings for a principal amount of $121,190,000. 

City of Cleveland - People’s Budget Cleveland has placed an initiative on the November ballot in Cleveland which sets aside about $14 million from the City’s general fund and allows a group outside of Council to decide spending. Council President Griffin, members of Council, and Mayor Bibb oppose the measure. 

Cleveland Building and Permitting 

CEA is pleased to report it was interviewed by consultants reviewing Cleveland’s building permitting and development review processes. That interview occurred within the last month with CEA and the City’s consultants.   

If you have questions, input or suggestions on legislation and public policy matters, please contact Glen Shumate or Tim Linville.