Public Policy Advocates

House Committee Schedule

Senate Committee Schedule

January, Year-To-Date State Tax Receipts Fall Below Estimates

The Ohio Office of Budget and Management announced this week that tax receipts fell short of revenue estimates for the month of January.  For the first 6 months of the fiscal year, the state was running ahead of estimates, bolstered by strong auto sales tax receipts associated with the “cash for clunkers” program.  However, January’s receipts were off by nearly $100 million dollars, and the state’s fiscal year-to-date collections are approximately $95 million below projections. 

House Committee Approves Controversial Personal Injury Damages Law

House Bill 361, sponsored by Rep. Dennis Murray (D-Sandusky) would require that in personal injury lawsuits, the pre-write off costs associated with medical bills be used, instead of the actual amount paid for medical care.  If a procedure is paid for by an insurance company at a discounted rate from the original cost, under current Ohio law, the discounted fee is used in calculating damages in a civil suit.  HB 361 would change that law, to use the original, higher cost in calculating damages.  Despite opposition from many statewide groups including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio State Medical Association, HB 361 was reported favorably by the House Civil and Commercial Law committee this week, and is pending third consideration by the full House of Representatives. 

Conference Committee Finds Compromise on Third Frontier Bond Package

The Conference Committee on HJR 12, the Third Frontier bond package, reached a compromise this week, clearing the issue for the May 4th ballot.  As passed by the House, the resolution contained $950 million in bonds for high tech public-private partnerships.  When the resolution came out of the Senate, it contained only $500 million for such projects, with an additional $100 million for the Ohio Public Works program.  It was then sent to Conference Committee to work through the differences.  The compromise measure contains $700 million for the bond package and removes the Public Works funds.  Both Governor Ted Strickland and his opponent Republican John Kasich voiced their support for the Third Frontier program, which they believe has been helpful in creating jobs in Ohio.

Democrats Shake Up Secretary of State, GOP Endorses Yost for Auditor

State Rep. Jennifer Garrison announced over the weekend that she will abandon her bid for Secretary of State.  Faced with low fundraising totals, and some public pressure from liberal groups, Ms. Garrison decided to exit the race.  In the wake of this announcement, the Ohio Democratic Party and Governor Ted Strickland endorsed Franklin County Clerk of Courts Maryellen O’Shaughnessy for the seat.  Meanwhile, the Ohio Republican Party chose Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost over State Rep. Seth Morgan to join the ticket for Auditor.  Mr. Yost had previously filed as a candidate for Attorney General, but stepped aside to clear the path for former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine.

State Democrats also announced their nominee for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court this week.  Judge Eric Brown, currently a Franklin County Probate Judge, will seek the seat being vacated by retiring Chief Justice Thomas Moyer.  Mr. Brown will face off against Justice Maureen O’Connor for the seat.  Additionally, State Rep. Peter Ujvagi (D- Toledo) has been hired as Lucas County Administrator, and will vacate his House seat.  Current State Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) will seek the appointment to Ujvagi’s 47th District.  This will create a vacancy in the State Senate, which would likely be filled by current State Rep. Edna Brown. 

Inspector General Finds Wrongdoing by Former ODPS Director  

Inspector General Thomas Charles said that delays in implementing rules allowed thousands of illegal immigrants to falsely register vehicles under former Public Safety Director Henry Guzman.  Guzman’s failure to implement the rules in a timely manner created a system in which immigrants were charged hundreds of dollars each for registrations before the rules went into effect.  Mr. Charles also found that these registrations often contained fraudulent or falsified information which made it more difficult for law enforcement to track down the registrants.  The report found that the neglect directly resulted in as many as 47,000 fraudulent vehicle registrations.  Mr. Guzman has failed to explain his reasoning for not implementing the rules in a timely manner.