CEA Legislative Update - November 2017
Intro
The Ohio Legislature has six or so legislative and committee days scheduled in the month of November. Both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly have continued with a steady workload. The County Council has focused heavily on budget deliberations with agencies testifying before Council. The Council also continues to work on legislation that contains construction related topics. For your review, here are issues CEA is tracking.
ENDORSEMENTS
CEA and its legislative committee have endorsed these issues and candidates.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
http://forabettercleveland.com/
Issue 60 - CLEVELAND LIBRARY DISTRICT
Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal and Increase)
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
A renewal of 5.8 mills and an increase of 2 mills to constitute a tax for the benefit of the Cleveland Public
Library for the purpose of current expenses at a rate not exceeding 7.8 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to 78 cents for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2018, first due in calendar year 2019.
Issue 61 - CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (vote is COUNTY WIDE)
Proposed Bond Issue
A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.
Shall bonds be issued by the Cuyahoga Community College District for the purpose of paying the costs of acquiring, constructing, furnishing and equipping the capital facilities, or such other acquisition of sites, erection, furnishing and equipping of buildings, or acquisition, construction or improvement of property in the principal amount of $227,500,000, to be repaid annually over a maximum period of 25 years, and an annual levy of property taxes be made outside of the ten-mill limitation, estimated by the County Fiscal Officer to average over the repayment period of the bond issue 0.5 mill for each one dollar of tax valuation, which amounts to 5 cents for each one hundred dollars of tax valuation, commencing in 2017, first due in calendar year 2018, to pay the annual debt charges on the bonds and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?
STATE GOVERNMENT
Unemployment Compensation Legislation Introduced Again
A fourth version of unemployment compensation legislation has made its way to the Statehouse. HB 382 (Schuring) Unemployment Compensation had its third hearing in the House Government Accountability & Oversight Committee on November 1, 2017.
The bill has not secured support from either business or labor. Rep. Schuring has indicated he intends this to be a starting point for conversations. At the most recent hearing, Zach Schiller of Policy Matters Ohio stated the bill relies too much on cuts to worker benefits.
The Ohio Farm Bureau, the Ohio Manufacturers' Association, the Ohio Chamber of Retail Merchants, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the NFIB commented in written testimony that they are not able to support the bill yet. The groups felt both spending and revenue should be looked at. In testimony, the group stated they would oppose any tax on employees because of perceived administrative costs and burdens.
CEA continues to attend hearings, monitor the legislation, and work with legislators and those in the construction industry to help craft a solution that makes sense for Ohio and the construction industry.
HJR 4 Schuring (Unemployment Compensation Bonds)
The sponsor feels this resolution is part of the solution to funding the system. The resolution would provide for the issuance of bonds to pay unemployment compensation benefits when the fund created for that purpose is or will be depleted or to repay outstanding advances made by the federal government to the unemployment compensation program. The House Government Accountability & Oversight Committee has held three hearings on the resolution.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Cuyahoga County Passes Contracting Ordinance And Sustainability Department Plan
Ord. O2017-0004 To modify the requirements of contractors - The ordinance made changes to NON public improvement contracting. CEA’s request in testimony to the Public Works Committee was to preserve the strong protections in current law for quality contracting. CEA is thankful these provisions were maintained in the final legislation. The bill was voted out of full Council on October 24th.
Res. 2017‐0168 Adopting the 2017 Cuyahoga County Sustainability Plan – The resolution contains a goal to measure all greenhouse gases in the County by 2018.
It also looks to:
- Discuss creating a tax as a funding stream
- Track equity and inclusion and speak out on state and federal issues
- Consider sustainability as measure for County vendors
- Use land for solar, look to build micro grid, enhance land use
Motor Vehicle License Tax
Ord. 2017-0003 Motor Vehicle License Tax – CEA testified at County Council supporting the bill. The legislation allows the County to levy an additional $5 tax per motor vehicle. On October 24th the bill had its second reading with no comment. It will most likely be up for a final vote at the November 14th Council meeting. The legislation will produce an extra $ 4-5 million a year to be used for road and bridge projects starting in 2019.
Mayors Support Construction Careers at CEA Events
CEA wants to thank Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail, Lakewood Mayor Mike Summers, Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter, Parma Heights Mayor Mike Byrne and Seven Hills Mayor Richard Dell’Aquila for hosting events in Euclid, Lakewood and Parma to promote entering people into the construction field. The ability to have the Mayors take time out of their busy schedules to help promote our industry is very much appreciated.