|
|
|
| January 11, 2019
OML UPDATE AT-A-GLANCE
Here are the top three things you need to know from this past week:
- After a months-long speaker's race, Rep. Larry Householder (R - Glenford) was elected as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives by a vote of 52-46. Additionally, Sen. Larry Obhof (R - Medina) was re-elected as President of the Ohio Senate. The League wants to congratulate Speaker Householder and Senate President Obhof on their elections, and we look forward to working with them to ensure a safe, stable and bright future for Ohio's cities and villages.
- Lt. Governor-elect Jon Husted has been announced as the first director of InnovateOhio, which will focus on improving the state government's operations through technological advancements. Governor-elect DeWine also announced that Husted will lead workforce and development initiatives.
- Cincinnati has been ranked by WalletHub as the top sports city amount mid-sized cities. In addition to its college and pro sports franchises, WalletHub cited affordable ticket prices and accessible stadiums among the reasons Cincinnati was awarded this distinction.
LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR'S GUN BILL VETO
On December 27
th, 2018, the Ohio legislature overrode Governor Kasich's veto of HB 228, formerly known as the "stand-your-ground" legislation. The bill, in addition to shifting the burden of proof to the prosecutor in a self-defense case, contained two municipal preemptions. The first prohibits municipalities from passing ordinances that restrict firearms. The second allows citizens to sue municipalities they feel have infringed upon their Second Amendment rights and mandates the city pay damages. We are disappointed that the legislature has further restricted the constitutional right of municipal Home Rule.
The bill will become effective on March 28, 2019. However, an amendment was added to the final legislation to allow 9 months from the effective date for municipalities to remove gun language from their ordinances. That period of time will start on March 28, 2019 and end on December 28, 2019. In the interim, we encourage municipalities to review their ordinances and make any necessary changes to ensure they are in compliance with HB 228.
GOVENOR-ELECT DEWINE ANNOUNCES CABINET APPOINTMENTS
As the inauguration of Governor-elect DeWine and Lt. Governor-elect Jon Husted approaches, DeWine has been announcing cabinet appointments as he builds his incoming administration. Below is a comprehensive list of the cabinet appointments announced thus far:
- Matt Damschroder, director of the Department of Administrative Services.
- Findlay Mayor Lydia Mihalik, director of the Development Services Agency.
- Kevin Miller, staying on as director of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.
- Former Rep. Jeff McClain (R - Upper Sandusky), tax commissioner.
- Annette Chambers-Smith, director of the Department Rehabilitation and Correction.
- Ryan Burgess, director of cabinet affairs.
- Michael Hall, director policy for the governor.
- Dan McCarthy, director of legislative affairs for the governor.
- Sen. Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green), chancellor of the Department of Higher Education.
- Former Rep. Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville), director of the Department of Agriculture.
- Jillian Froment, director of the Department of Insurance.
- Kimberly Hall, director of Job and Family Services.
- Maureen Corcoran, director of Medicaid.
- Lori Criss, director of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
- Jack Marchbanks, director of the Department of Transportation.
- Jeffrey Davis, director of the Department of Developmental Disabilities.
- Stephanie McCloud, CEO of the Bureau of Workers Compensation.
- Ryan Gies, director of the Department of Youth Services.
- Ursel McElroy, director of the Department of Aging.
- Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Deborah Ashenhurst, director of the Department of Veteran Services.
- Laurie Stevenson, director of the Ohio EPA
- Andy Wilson, senior advisor for criminal justice policy
All these appointments are currently pending approval by the Ohio Senate. We want to congratulate each appointee on their nomination and we look forward to working with many of them on behalf of Ohio's municipalities.
BILL OF MUNICIPAL INTERESTED SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
Here is the final bill impacting municipalities that was signed by Governor Kasich:
- HB 422 - MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS. Sponsored by Rep. Ginter (R - Salem) and Rep. Rogers (D - Mentor-on-the-Lake), would govern the acquisitions of municipal waterworks and sewage systems. The League is supportive of this legislation.
HOUSE AND SENATE RELEASE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2019
Both the Ohio House and Senate have released committee and session calendars from January through July 2019. To View the Ohio House of Representatives legislative calendar, click
HERE. To view the Ohio Senate legislative calendar, click
HERE.
|
|
Ohio Municipal League Meetings & Trainings
|
6 Hour Initial Mayors' Court Trainings
January 17 & 18, 2019
|
Registration Information
|
|
Integrated Risk Management for Ohio Public Entities Seminars
January 23, January 24 & February 27
|
Registration Information
HERE
|
|
|
|
|
|