Now that the March 6 primary results are finalized, political parties are in the process of reorganizing and preparing for the Nov. 6 election.

This process is important as the selection of leadership will shape how fundraising is conducted, which candidates get support, both financially and through grassroots efforts.

The Lake County Republican Party conducted its reorganization Monday night in Painesville. Selected as officers were Dale Fellows, chairman; Amy Sabath, first vice chairwoman; Greg Schmidt, second vice chairman; Susan Betteley, secretary; Dave Vitaz, treasurer; Janet Clair, chairwoman.

Meanwhile, the Geauga County Democratic Party has its reorganization meeting Monday night in Newbury Township. Selected as officers were Janet Carson, chairwoman; Dennis Pavella, vice chairman; Glen Quigley, treasurer; and Terri McIntee, secretary.

The Geauga County Republican Party will meet at 7 p.m. April 10 at Munson Township Hall.

The Lake County Democratic Party was slated to have met at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Bricklayers Hall in Mentor, which is after the deadline for this column’s publication. Check back next week for results.

Statewide, the Ohio Democratic Party will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday to reorganize at the state party headquarters in Columbus. Word is party Chairman Chris Redfern might have a challenge from Lorain County Democratic Party official Anthony B. Giardini.

The Ohio Republican Party will meet Friday for its reorganizational meeting in Dublin. Chairman Kevin DeWine plans to step down from his position. Perhaps former Chairman Bob Bennett could be the interim chairman as the party gears up for the Nov. 6 election?

Potential commissioner?

What if Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy is elected as state representative for Ohio House District 60 in November? Of course, he must first defeat Republican Painesville Councilwoman Lori DiNallo.

But if Troy wins, the Lake County Democratic Party would need to make an appointment to fill out the remaining two years of Troy’s term.

I’m told former Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Larry Allen has an interest in the potential appointment. Others mentioned so far within party circles are Willoughby Hills Councilman Kevin Malecek and former state Rep. Mark Schneider.

Paper ballots

Lake County Elections Board reports that 28 people used a paper ballot during the March 6 primary. The state required each county that uses electronic voting equipment to have paper ballots on hand equivalent to 10 percent of the number of people who cast ballots in the March 2008 primary. The idea is for them to be available to people who want a paper ballot or in case of emergency.

That means 7,778 paper ballots were ordered at a cost of $2,022.28 in Lake County. That equates to $72.23 per vote cast by paper.

LGYR Hall of Fame

The 12th Annual Lake-Geauga Young Republicans Hall of Fame Dinner will be April 20 at Cappelli’s Party Center in Mentor. It is the organization’s sole fundraiser of the year.

The club will induct into its Hall of Fame former founding member Stephen Patt, who was instrumental to help restart the organization in 1999.

Past inductees include Steven LaTourette, Fellows, Jamie Callender, Raymond Sines, Timothy Grendell, B.J. Kresnye, Louis Mucci, Clair, Schmidt, Vincent Culotta and Eugene Lucci.

The LGYRs meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Cork’s Wine Bar in Willoughby.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 16 at Match Works Tavern in Mentor. See Walt McNamara or Ray McGuinness.

n Annual Buffet Dinner fundraiser for Lake County Prosecutor Charles E. Coulson, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 18 at LaMalfa in Mentor. See Stephen Byron.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah

In case you missed it, last week the U.S. House passed a concurrent resolution reaffirming "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the U.S.

H. Con. Res. 13 is a resolution "Reaffirming 'In God We Trust' as the official motto of the United States and supporting and encouraging the public display of the national motto in all public buildings, public schools, and other government institutions." If you're interested in reading the entire resolution (it's very short), you can see it as a PDF, an XML file or the printer-friendly version.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. J. Randy Forbes, a Republican from Virginia's Fourth District. It was introduced in the House back in January (and gained 64 cosponsors), and on Nov. 1 was passed in the House by a 396-9 vote (two members of the House voted "present," while 26 did not vote). On Nov. 2, it was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Check out the Final Vote Results for Roll Call 816 to see how all the members of the House voted. Republican Steven C. LaTourette of Ohio's 14th District and Democrat Marcia Fudge of Ohio's 11th District both voted in favor of the resolution.

You can also read the text of the dialogue from when H. Con. Res. 13 was brought to the floor.

According to Voterama in Congress, critics said time would be better spend on a jobs bill. The Washington Post quoted President Barack Obama sharing the same sentiment:

"In the House of Representatives, what have you guys been doing, John?" Obama said, calling out House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).
"You've been debating a commemorative coin for baseball. You've had legislation reaffirming that 'In God We Trust' is our motto. That's not putting people back to work," Obama said. "I trust in God, but God wants to see us help ourselves by putting people back to work."

Read more from the Washington Post's story on the resolution.

The House is in recess this week.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending May 13, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110513


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending May 6, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110506


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending April 15, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110415


Ohio in Congress, 20110415, 2


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending April 8, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110408


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending April 1, 2011:

Ohio In Congress, 20110401

Ohio in Congress, 20110401, 2


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending March 18, 2011:

OhioInCongress20110318


Ohio in Congress, 20110318, 2


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending March 11, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110311


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending March 4, 2011:

Ohio In Congress, 20110304

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Most branches of government are facing tough tasks putting together their budgets, and Lake County commissioners are no exception.

Due to decreased revenues, some elected county officials and department heads have had to utilize staff furloughs, announce layoffs, leave vacant positions unfilled and consider shortening office hours.

Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap recently laid off two deputies. The Elections Board will implement furlough days, and potentially consider other cost-cutting options, because there is a $130,000 difference between what the department requests and what commissioners propose.

The reasons for the declining revenues?

Interest earnings in 2008 provided the county with $6.9 million. But rates remain at historically low levels, meaning revenue dipped to $4 million in 2009 and shrunk to $2.18 million for 2010 as higher returning investments came off the book. This revenue is projected to provide $1.25 million this year.

Collections from annual property taxes have dropped because property valuations that determine how much one’s home and land are worth declined two years ago by 10 percent in the county — and aren’t likely to rise when the triennial update is completed next year.

Sales tax revenues are the county’s biggest source of revenue, and collections have remained flat. Sales taxes generated  $14,524,182 in 2009, $14,519,064 in 2010, and is projected to be around $14.1 million this year.

The only controllable option commissioners have to increase revenue is to raise the county’s sales tax. The idea is unpopular and not one commissioners are seriously considering.

Should the commissioners ever change their mind, there’s a process they would have to follow to do so.

How it would work

Ohio law permits county commissioners to levy additional sales tax by increments of a quarter of 1 percent by adopting a resolution that generally must state the tax’s purpose and how long it would be in effect.

Two public hearings would need to be conducted before passing the resolution. The second hearing must be held not less than three days, nor more than 10 days, after the first.

In the resolution, commissioners may — but are not required to — direct the Elections Board to ask voters whether to approve the increase.

If the resolution is passed as a non-emergency measure, commissioners must pass it by at least a 2-1 vote and the question may be submitted to the Elections Board 90 days before the election.

If the resolution is adopted as an emergency measure deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, it must receive a unanimous vote and it needs to state the reasons for such necessity.

Voters can use a referendum to prevent a non-emergency tax from going into effect 30 days after the resolution is passed. An emergency tax is not subject to a referendum, but voters can decide to repeal it by petition.

The petition would need to be filed at least 75 days before the general election in any year and must be signed by at least 10 percent of the voters who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election.

If a tax were to be repealed by voters, it would be effective after the current year.

Announcements, endorsements

Highland Heights Mayor Scott Coleman announced he will seek a third term in office this November.
 

Coleman cites support and endorsements from U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, state Sen. Tim Grendell, Mayfield Heights Mayor Greg Costabile, Mayfield Village Mayor Bruce Rinker, Gates Mills Mayor Connie White, Lyndhurst Mayor Joe Cicero, Richmond Heights Mayor Dan Ursu, Willoughby Hills Mayor Robert Weger and South Euclid Mayor Georgine Welo.

Fundies

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy: Mardi Gras Party, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Holiday Inn Express LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Kip Molenaar.
 

Jamie Callender, candidate for Ohio Senate: Mardi Gras party, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Quail Hollow Inn in Concord Township. See Jamie or Heidi Callender.

Lake Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish: St. Patrick’s Day celebration from 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 17 at Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites LaMalfa in Mentor. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

Willoughby Hills Councilman David M. Fiebig: Spring Fever party, 5 to 7 p.m., March 22 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig.

John Arthur Hutchison’s column appears Sundays in The News-Herald. View it online at www.northernohiolocalpolitics.blogspot.com.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, today voted to repeal a tax requirement in the new health care law that would require businesses to file a 1099 tax form with the IRS for every vendor they paid more than $600 a year.

The measure, H.R. 4, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 314-112. It now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The Senate earlier this year passed 1099 repeal language as part of a Federal Aviation Administration bill.  The House and Senate will have to hammer out repeal language that is identical in both the House and Senate before a measure can be sent to the President for signature.

In a report released in June 2010, the IRS Taxpayer Advocate said the new 1099 reporting requirement would apply to almost 40 million businesses, including more than 1 million charities and tax-exempt organizations and more than 100,000 government entities.

“The 1099 reporting requirement has nothing to do with health care, and its days are numbered,” LaTourette said. “This would be a compliance nightmare for the IRS, and small businesses should focus on job creation, not filing tax forms reporting the purchase of toilet paper and paper towels from Costco or toner and paper from Staples.”

The congressman said H.R. 4 reduces the deficit by $166 million in the first 10 years, and is expected to reduce federal spending by nearly $20 billion over 10 years.

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

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, today said he voted for a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open and avert a government shutdown.

The measure was approved 335-91, and is expected to be approved by the Senate and then sent to President Barack Obama for his signature within 48 hours.

The bill cuts $4 billion in spending and will keep the government open until March 18, LaTourette said. The House and Senate are working on a measure to fund the government for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends at the end of September.

“No one wants a government shutdown, and this gives everyone some breathing room to come up with a more permanent solution and finish bipartisan legislation to fund programs for the rest of this fiscal year,” LaTourette said.

-- John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Feb. 18, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110218

OhioInCongress, 20110218, 2


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, says he hopes local small businesses will use a new feature on his congressional website to share their thoughts on how federal regulations impact their work.

Visit the website at http://latourette.house.gov and click the “Job Creators Speak Out” section on the right side of the page. Clicking the link will direct you to the American Job Creators website, where you can submit a detailed response.

“The Administration often talks a good game about helping small business grow and prosper, but I hear from countless small business owners who say nothing proposed in DC ever truly helps, and they feel buried in regulations,” LaTourette said.

He said local businesses don’t object to all regulations, but there are some that make their heads spin, like a new health care law provision that requires the filing of a1099 tax form each time you spend at least $600 with any vendor. LaTourette is asking local businesses to contact him and share their stories about coping with regulations and what can be done to help ease the burden.

“You are in a better position to advocate what could help your business than a DC-insider who has never had to meet a payroll, much less wrestle with inventory, manufacturing and distribution issues, regulations and tax compliance,” LaTourette said. “This is a chance to tell me the unvarnished truth about what works, what doesn’t, and why regulations affect your business in particular. Please be brutally honest and don’t be afraid to share your opinion.”

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

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Feb. 11, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110211

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Feb. 4, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110204


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Jan. 28, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110128


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Jan. 21, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110121


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending Jan. 7, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110107


-- Cheryl Sadler
CSadler@News-Herald.com