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Legislative Bulletin

September 2, 2022


UPDATE AT A GLANCE


OML ANNUAL CONFERENCE KEYNOTE ANNOUNCED

It was announced this week that Nir Bashan, bestselling author of the book "The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability," will serve as the keynote speaker at OML's Annual Conference. The conference will take place Oct. 12-14, with Bashan speaking on the 13th. In addition to Bashan, attendees will have the opportunity to network and learn best practices on the most-pressing issues facing cities and villages. More Info


WEBINAR ON BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW TO TAKE PLACE

OML will host a free webinar about the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at 11 a.m. on Sept. 14. Learn more about how the law provides support to locals and the types of funding that may be available to your community with the help of officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation. More Info  


BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD VOTES ON 2023 RATES

State and local government employers in 2023 will see their first year without an overall workers' compensation rate cut since 2017. See more below.


OHIO RANKS IN TOP TEN OF STATES STRUGGLING THE MOST IN HIRING

The financial advisory website WalletHub recently ranked Ohio 10th overall among states where employers are struggling the most in hiring. See more below.


FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL MAJOR BRIDGE PROJECTS

The Ohio Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for funding as part of the Local Major Bridge Program, which provides federal funds to counties and municipalities for bridge replacement, bridge rehabilitation, and bridge demolition projects. Applications are due Oct. 1. More Info


LAKE ERIE COMMUNITIES AND COASTAL RESILIENCE GRANTS AVAILABLE

Grants of up to $250,000 will be considered for projects in the eight Ohio Lake Erie coastal counties through the Ohio Lake Erie Commission. Proposals for the new Lake Erie Communities and Coastal Resilience Grant, which is focused on helping underserved communities bounce back from hazardous events, are due Oct. 3. More Info


RECOVERY OHIO ANNUAL REVIEW RELEASED, NALOXONE WEBSITE LAUNCHED

Gov. DeWine released the 2021 RecoveryOhio Annual Review, which gives a detailed overview of the work that RecoveryOhio has done to improve prevention, treatment, and recovery support efforts that address the state’s public health crisis – mental health and substance use. A new website for those seeking access to naloxone, the opioid overdose medication, was launched. Individuals, organizations, and first-responder agencies can submit requests or find information about where to pick it up at naloxone.ohio.gov.


OML CREATING COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT LIST

OML is putting together a list of municipal staff contacts related to communications, marketing, community relations/affairs, public information, public affairs, multimedia, and similar positions. If you have a staffer who should be part of this list, please send their name, title, and email address to bschneck@omlohio.org.

BUREAU OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD VOTES ON 2023 RATES

 

Based on a vote by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors, state and local government employers in 2023 will see their first year without a rate cut since 2017 and face what amounts to their first overall hike in over a decade when rising administrative costs are factored in.


After being provided three scenarios for public employer base-rate changes next year, members chose an average zero-percent base-rate change across all insured classes totaling approximately 3,800 public employers.


Actual rates for state departments, counties, municipalities, townships, schools and hospitals, among other public jurisdictions, vary widely based on employer classification, past claims, plan type, and optional participation in safety programs and other BWC offerings. Net rate hikes await public hospitals (+10.5 percent), “special” institutions (+8.6 percent) and authorities (+8.5 percent), public transit (+8.1 percent), counties (+7.6 percent), townships (+3.9 percent) and cities (+2.8 percent). Due a rate cut are volunteer EMS (-11.7 percent), public works relief employers (-10 percent), villages (-8.8 percent), schools (-8.3 percent) and libraries (-4.8 percent).


A net increase of +0.6 percent in government premiums comes into play when the bureau’s administrative costs are included.

OHIO RANKS IN TOP TEN OF STATES STRUGGLING THE MOST IN HIRING

 

Financial advisory website WalletHub recently ranked Ohio 10th overall among states where employers are struggling the most in hiring. Neighboring states Kentucky and West Virginia were in the top nine. Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania ranked 20th, 36th, and 42nd, respectively.


The report included comments from Wright State University Professor of Economics Evan Osborne, who mentioned that the pandemic led governments and the public to impose and accept sudden, substantial limitations on normal economic activity, along with government efforts spending money at a rate unprecedented in peacetime to cushion the blow of these limitations on people’s ability to consume.


He also said some people with in-demand skills have learned the feasibility of working remotely, and employers are learning how to accommodate that. The pandemic has led some people to retire and others to re-enter the workforce due to inflation.


Osborne said bringing people back to in-office work could require more accommodation and pay increases as long as the labor market remains red-hot. View Full Report

UPCOMING EVENTS


Ohio EPA Webinar: Dumping of Solid Waste and Scrap Tires

10-11 a.m. | Sept. 13 | Virtual

Trash-strewn properties, abandoned junk-filled buildings and tires left by roadside – community leaders encounter these all the time. Join the Ohio EPA to learn how your community can address nuisance dumping situations. Register


OML Webinar: Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

11 am.-12 p.m. | Sept. 14 | Virtual

Learn more about how the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides support to locals and the types of funding that may be available to your community. This webinar will provide the latest details on the law and funding opportunities through federal and state programs. Register


OML Annual Conference

Oct. 12-14 | Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel

Join other mayors, council members, city managers, village administrators, departmental staff members, as well as additional stakeholders, civic leaders, and subject-matter experts to discuss best practices and the most pressing issues being faced by Ohio’s cities and villages. Register


MEMBERSHIP INFO: OML-Affiliated Associations


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