State Sen. John Eklund, R-Munson Township, stopped by The News-Herald on Monday to discuss some of the legislative highlights that he feels are important to his constituents in Ohio Senate District 18.

The district includes half of Lake County, two-thirds of Geauga County and all of Portage County.

Here is some of what Eklund had to say:





John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

When Gov. John Kasich chose not to veto items in the state budget that related to abortion it meant that Ohio will have some of the most restrictive regulations in the country.

Ohio Right to Life quickly applauded the governor’s decision to keep five pro-life amendments in the budget and said the state’s two-year spending plan has been referred to as the “most pro-life in history” thanks to the leadership of Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder and Ohio Senate President Keith Faber.

The organization cited the amendments that it endorsed: reprioritization of family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood, heartbeat informed consent requirement, establishment of new funding for pregnancy centers, a ban on public hospitals from entering into transfer agreements with abortion clinics, and strengthening of abortion clinic regulation.

After the governor signed the budget a week ago he did not take questions from reporters, various media outlets reported.

Pro-choice groups along with the Ohio Democratic Party blasted the new regulations regarding abortion.

Kasich’s likely challenger in the Nov. 2014 is Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat, who said the governor refused to stand up for Ohio women and escalated attacks on women’s health care by defunding Planned Parenthood.

FitzGerald also said the new regulations force doctors to perform medically unnecessary procedures that interfere with the privacy between a woman and her doctor and that jeopardize women’s health.

As I have written before, the state budget often defines a governor’s term in office and it can provide an issue for the opposite party to rally behind for the next election.

A picture of the governor signing the budget with six men around him quickly has circulating the Internet and was placed front and center while FitzGerald gave remarks recently during a rally in Cleveland.

The governor repeatedly has said that he considers himself pro-life, so his decision not to veto the abortion provisions was not a shock.

Will the subject of abortion become a major issue when voters go to the polls to vote next year?

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Charles C. Hillier, Josh Pennack and Susan McGuinness for Painesville Township trustee, Jennifer Harden and Belinda Grassi for Riverside School Board, Laura DePledge and Mary F. Matala for Eastlake Council at large, Dennis Dicki for Timberlake Council, David J. Krych for Wickliffe Council president, Mark Iafelice and Sherry Koski for Wickliffe Council at large, Edward C. Matyja for Wickliffe Council Ward 2, Stephen Norris for Willoughby Council Ward 2, Robert E. Carr for Willoughby Council Ward 4, Lauren Reichard for North Perry Council.

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Frank Zalek Jr. for Painesville Township trustee, Tom Fitzgerald for Painesville Council Jan. 1, 2014 term, Katherine Paolino for Fairport School Board, Robert J. Dawson for Perry Township trustee, Kenneth Zalar for Timberlake Council, and Cindy Quinn-Hopkins for Eastlake mayor.

It’s worth noting that if Quinn-Hopkins eventually files there would be a nonpartisan primary Sept. 17 with the two top voter-getters then appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot. Others who already filed for the office are Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Council President Dennis Morley. The deadline to file for this race is July 17.

Fundies

n Andrzejewski hosts his ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 19 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

It might be a couple weeks before we truly understand everything in the state budget that must be signed by Gov. John Kasich by Monday.

Some Republican legislators touted a 10 percent income tax and a 50 percent tax cut small businesses on the first $250,000 of net business income that was presented for the governor’s approval.

That’s good news for a lot of people, but there are some items in the budget that might dampen that enthusiasm.

For example, people who are 65 and older and/or permanently disabled and who don’t currently qualify for the Homestead Exemption for their property taxes would now face an income requirement to qualify in the future.

As part of the bill approved by the conference committee, property owners would need to earn less than $30,000 or the exemption that provides a shield on the first $25,000 of property valuation would be eliminated.

People who currently received the Homestead Exemption would be grandfathered, but it they were to move or to sell the property the exemption would not follow them.

Also, the budget would likely make it more difficult for schools and communities to pass new levies because a 10 tax reduction (also known as a rollback) for all property owners along with the 2.5 percent reduction for owner-occupied homes that the state currently provides would no longer be in place starting with the Nov. 5 election.

That means even with the same millage in place on new levies, taxpayers would essentially pay 12.5 percent more property tax due to the state change.

Local officials aren’t completely sure yet if the language applies to renewal or replacement levies that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot and future elections.

For people who don’t earn much income, such as seniors and/or low-income households, the elimination of this property tax credit could be significant.

The budget proposal also contained a 0.25 percent increase in the state’s sales tax, so items that people buy will cost a little bit more.

When calculating these changes, the new tax policies could actually offset or cost many taxpayers more money overall then what they would receive through the 10 percent income tax reduction.

Regardless of one’s position on these potential changes, a beef I have is that these policy changes were brought to the table on Wednesday just as the Ohio General Conference Committee was putting together a final version for the governor to sign.

They weren’t part of the bill when the measure was under debate and discussion in the Ohio House of Representatives of Ohio Senate.

It’s possible after this column goes to press that the governor could have signed the bill and potentially vetoed some or all of these changes, but it’s the process I really question.

Important tax policy changes like these that will have significant impact on Ohio residents and they were not discussed in committee hearings where there is public input and there was little time for debate or analysis by a broader group of people.

I understand the state budget is always a work in progress until it is passed, but changes of this magnitude shouldn’t be rushed through without the proper public process.

State lawmakers should do better.

Kasich’s popularity

It was not that long ago that Kasich was one of the least popular governors in the country.

But a new poll released last week suggests the governor now enjoys his best approval rating yet.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll, Kasich enjoys a 54-32 percent job approval.

He also increased his lead to 47-33 percent over Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, the likely Democratic challenger in the 2014 governor’s race.

Kasich also got a national writeup Thursday in Politico that suggested he could be a possible presidential candidate should he win re-election.

Event

Willoughby Hills Councilman David Fiebig hosts a free All American Family Picnic including a special guest from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills.

Fundies

Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski hosts his ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 19 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.


John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

It was fairly surprising to learn about some of the major components of Gov. John Kasich’s budget proposal that were taken out of the proposal that was unveiled in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Dropping an expansion of Medicaid in Ohio wasn’t completely unexpected, as many Republicans had previously cited concern about the federal government keeping its pledge to fund an expansion at 100 percent for three years before eventually dropping to 90 percent funding.

I hadn’t anticipated a complete scrap of changes to the state sales tax rate that had included a lower overall rate, but expanding the base of services that could be taxed.

That idea isn’t completely dead, as Republican state lawmakers indicated it might be something to consider in the future.

Because Ohio law states the two-year budget must be put into place by July 1, when the state fiscal year begins, GOP leaders decided there wasn’t enough time to study whatever repercussions might stem from changes to the sales tax.

Kasich really wanted a 20 percent reduction in the state’s income tax rates, but instead a 7 percent cut is now on the table.

Also scrapped was an increase on the severance tax on oil and gas drilling, which Kasich said would have helped pay for further income tax reduction.

The state expected more than 365,000 Ohio residents to be eligible next year if an expansion of Medicaid was approved.

Despite the fact it was left out of the Ohio House state budget bill, that battle doesn’t appear to be over.

The governor continues to keep the pressure on to expand Medicaid in Ohio, and Kasich recently told reporters that he doesn’t take it personally that House Republicans dropped it.

Instead, Kasich said that he profoundly disagrees and couldn’t state his position any clearer.

Ohio House Democrats have introduced a bill that is very similar to the governor’s initial proposal for a Medicaid expansion.

As I have written before, I thought an expansion of Medicaid could be something that was pulled from the budget and could be voted on separately.

This might be legislation introduced by Democrats that could have a chance to pass with some Republican support, but it remains to be seen if that would be enough.

Republican Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder said he wasn’t sure at this point how many in his caucus would vote for such a measure.

I also think there is a decent chance the Ohio Senate could put a Medicaid expansion back into the budget bill after passed by the Ohio House because the governor hasn't backed down.

Supporters of a Medicaid expansion also will have time to galvanize their efforts to pressure lawmakers, and rallies in Columbus have already begun.

House GOP lawmakers added $100 million for mental health and addiction services, but it doesn’t appear to satisfy the governor and statewide advocacy groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness Ohio and the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities.

Filed petitions

People who recently have filed candidacy petitions in Lake County are James Bala for Wickliffe Council Ward 1, William A. Brotzman and Kenneth Gauntner Jr. for Madison Township trustee.

Taken out petitions

Recently signing out candidacy petitions are Robert M. Johnson for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, John Popelka for Willoughby Council Ward 2, Lori DiNallo for Painesville Council at large, Dan Donaldson for Madison Village Council, Joe Zawatski for Willoughby Hills Council and Dave Krych for Wickliffe Council president.

Fundies

n Dennis Morley will host a kickoff fundraiser for his Eastlake mayor campaign, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Trader Jack’s Riverside Grille in Eastlake. See Donna Vaughn or Barb Morley.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran will host a fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Dino’s Restaurant and Banquet Center in Willoughby. See Kathy Russo.

n Lake County Treasurer-elect Lorraine M. Fende will host “Fende’s Victory” spaghetti dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Dino’s Restaurant and Banquet Center in Willoughby. See Nick Cindric.

n Willoughby Hills Councilman Kevin D. Malecek’s Annual Cinco De Mayo Fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 1 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Malecek or Nora Colburn.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Gov. John Kasich’s State of the State Address on Tuesday now serves as the blueprint for many policies in Ohio during the next two years.

After hearing from several local legislators and politicians this past week it appears to me that few are ready to fully endorse the governor’s budget plan.

However, it does contain individual proposals that both sides of the political aisle like but that neither seem to agree on together.

What that likely means is after the debate process the budget could look much different than what Kasich proposed.

Compromise will be necessary, and unlike the federal government, the state must operate with a balanced budget as of July 1.

Some Republican legislators have a hard time coming to grips with Kasich’s wish to expand Medicaid coverage and they might not vote for a budget if that is included. Democrats are generally pleased by the proposed expansion, but most oppose the bulk of the rest of the budget.

As part of the new federal health care law, which many in the GOP still fundamentally oppose, extending who can be cared for through Medicaid up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level is an option for states to accept with the federal government paying 100 percent of that cost for the first three years and gradually dropping down to 90 percent funding.

When it comes to tax reform, the GOP and Democrats again differ. Republicans favor an income tax reduction, lowering the state’s sales tax rate and the expansion of services that would be subject to sales tax.

Democrats argue the tax policy changes would help wealthy taxpayers more and hurt lower income residents who would spend a greater percentage of their income on services like haircuts, sporting events, and funeral services.

Republicans argue the proposals are a more fair way to tax because it would lower the state’s sales tax rate and provide residents and business owners with income tax relief.

Unless some things change, this budget might not follow party lines. It’s possible that neither side will be completely happy with what transpires, but the fact that Democrats and Republicans might have to work more closely together in Columbus would be a nice change.

Joyce joins Auto Industry Pension Task Force

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, announced he has joined the Auto Industry Pension Task Force.

The Congressional Auto Industry Pension Task Force, co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, and Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, will serve as an informal group of members dedicated to issues related to the termination of Delphi Salaried Retiree pensions and educating other members on the subject.

Picked up petitions

Recently taking out petitions with the Lake County Elections Board are Jeff Black for Willoughby Council at large; Laura DePledge for Eastlake Council at large; Larry Luciano for Willoughby-Eastlake School Board; Ronald P. Ely for Wickliffe Council Ward 3; Duane H. Frager for Madison Village Council; Chuck Klco for Leroy Township trustee; and Teresa Wagoner, MaryAnn Guy-Froebe and Timothy Rillahan for Madison Township trustee.

Fundies

n Re-election kickoff party for Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets, 5 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Ed or Cindy Hughes.

n Re-election kickoff for Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 21 at Patrician Party, Eastlake. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 12 at LaMalfa Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser is rescheduled to 5 to 7 p.m. April 1 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newheraldjah