HUSTED ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CHANGE U.S. SENATE VACANCY APPOINTMENT PROCESS

COLUMBUS —State Senator Jon Husted (R-Kettering) today announced plans to introduce legislation that would change the way in which a vacant U.S. Senate seat is filled in Ohio.

The 17th Amendment of the United States Constitution gives the state legislature the authority to decide how to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat. Ohio law states that when a vacancy occurs in the U.S. Senate, the governor may appoint the successor until the next regular election.

The recent appointment debacle led by now impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and new revelations that appointed Senator Roland Burris may not have been completely forthcoming about the conditions for his appointment has demonstrated that the process for appointment has the potential for abuse. Ohio and Illinois have a similar process for appointing vacancies to the U.S. Senate.

“A vacancy in the United States Senate is incredibly important and shouldn’t be left to the discretion of just one person,” said Husted. “I am hopeful that this legislation would ensure Ohio voters have a stronger voice in selecting who represents them in the U.S. Senate.”

Husted’s legislation calls for a vacant U.S. Senate seat to be filled by special election of the voters. This proposed change would mirror current Ohio law regarding the way in which a seat left vacant by any member of the Ohio delegation of the United States House of Representatives is filled; and provides that the state of Ohio , not local governments, cover the costs of administering the elections.

The Governor’s budget and charter schools

By: William Sims, President and CEO, Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools
Columbus, Ohio

Currently a public charter-school student receives about $3,000 less in state funding than a district public-school student. On average, that’s approximately one-third less. Charter schools receive no support from local property taxes or for facilities. District schools have had access to more than $4 billion in facilities funding.

Now the governor wants to take another $1,400 to $1,500 out of that charter-school student’s backpack, leaving potentially half of what a district public-school student receives. I’d like to know how any charter school can survive with that kind of disparity and, by the way, while aspiring to academic excellence and responsible fiscal management.
Why should a public charter-school student be worth half of what a district public-school student is worth?

There is a constitutional imperative to provide equal access to a system of common schools throughout the state of Ohio. By any standard this education plan for charter schools is sadly, separate and unequal. One can only conclude that the governor has been planning for two years now to suffocate charter schools.

It’s surreal for the governor’s office to respond to this funding disparity by saying they have discovered some sort of “evidenced-based … unique business model” that magically makes this all work. Show me the model, and if it really does work, and I’ll show you hundreds of district schools that can easily afford 20 percent cuts in their “business models.”

There are more than 80,000 charter-school students in Ohio. If the governor’s plan succeeds in the demise of charter schools in Ohio, it will end school choice for more students than the combined enrollment of the Dayton and Cleveland school districts. Ironically, the state would then have to re-absorb all those students at the higher district costs for educating those kids.

“Separate but equal” was a quietly kept education model for decades in America before morality overcame prejudice. This kind of “separate and unequal” prejudice against charter schools cannot be allowed to prevail.

“Nothing in life is Fee”

Governor Strickland’s newly introduced budget contains $1,545,364,199 in new fees. Let me say, not all fees are bad, in fact a fee for service approach makes sense for many services. The problem with the Strickland fees is that the increased fee for your driver’s license is not going to fund the licensing process, it is funding the growth in government.

Take a look at the list below, I want to hear from you. Which fees do you object to the most?

Department of Agriculture
Meat processing plant registration – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00 $
Livestock transportation license fee – current – $25/vehicle; proposed – $125/ Vehicle
Livestock late registration – current – $0.00; proposed – $10/ vehicle
Rendering Plant license fee – current – $100/ plant; proposed – $300/ plant
Livestock operations late registration – current – $0.00; proposed – $100/ plant
Dealer employee license – expanded definition – current – $0.00; proposed – $20.00
Livestock license renewal – less than 1,000 – current – $10.00; proposed – $50.00
Livestock license renewal – up to 10,000 – current – $25.00; proposed – $125.00
Livestock license renewal – over 10,000 – current – $50.00; proposed – $250.00
Livestock appointed employee – current – $0.00; proposed – $20.00
Livestock licensed weigher – current – $5.00; proposed – $10.00
Small livestock dealer registration – current – $0.00; proposed – $25.00
Small livestock dealer late fee – current – $0.00; proposed – $25.00
Licence to feed treated garbage – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00
Motor fuel quality civil penalty late fee – current – $0.00; proposed – $1,000/ day
Nursery stock collector/ dealer license – current – $50.00; proposed – $125.00
Nursery woody stock inspection – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00
Intensive production acreage fee – current – $3.50/ acre; proposed – $11/ acre
Non-intensive production acreage fee – current – $2/acre; proposed – $7/acre
Nursery non-woody inspection – current – $30 + $4/ acre; proposed – $100 + $11/ acre
Non-licenced phyto-sanitatiary certificate – current – $0.00; proposed – $100.00
Compiance agreement inspections – current – $20.00; proposed – $40.00
*Medium Capcity Scale /Monorail /Animal Scale – current – $0.00; proposed – $100.00
*Grain Test / Precious Metal / Other small capacity – current – $0.00; proposed – $10.00
*Large Meters / Vehicle Tank / LPG – current – $0.00; proposed – $250.00
*Food Processing Plant fees – current – $0.00; proposed – $25 -$300 (based on sq ft)

Department of Commerce
Elevator inspection – current – $20+ $10/floor; proposed – $120.00
Elevator re-inspection – current – $125+ $5/floor; proposed – $120+ $10/ floor
Elevator certificate – current – $200 + $10/ floor; proposed – $220+ $12/ floor
Boiler inspector exam application – current – $50.00; proposed – $150.00
Boiler operations permit application – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00
Annual boiler inspection – current – $45.00; proposed – $50.00
Biennial boiler inspection – current – $90.00; proposed – $100.00
Triennial boiler inspection – current – $135.00; proposed – $150.00
Quinquennial boiler inspection – current – $225.00; proposed – $250.00
Steam engineer operating license application – current – $50.00; proposed – $75.00
Steam engineer operating license – current – $35.00; proposed – $50.00
Mortgage broker application – current – $300.00; proposed – $500.00
Mortgage broker renewal application – current – $300.00; proposed – $500.00
Loan officer application – current – $100.00; proposed – $150.00
Loan officer renewal application – current – $100.00; proposed – $150.00
* Video service provider – current – $0.00; proposed – unknown
Real Estate Appraiser Fee – Initial – current – $125.00; proposed – $175.00
Real Estate Appraiser Fee – Renewal – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00
Securities Fees – Dealer’s License – current – $100.00; proposed – $200.00
Securities Fees – Salesperson’s License – current – $50.00; proposed – $60.00
Securities Fees – Investment Advisor – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00
Securities Fees – Investment Advisor Notice Filing – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00
Securities Fees – Representative’s License $35.00 $50.00
Securities Fees – Partnership license transfer- fee per salesmen – current – $10.00; proposed – $15.00
Securities Fees – Partnership license transfer- fee per investment adviser – current – $10.00; proposed – $15.00

Cosmetology Board
License Restoration – current – $0.00; proposed – $45.00
1st offense fine – current – $100.00; proposed – $500.00
2nd offense fine – current – $500.00; proposed – $1,000.00
3rd offense fine – current – $1,000.00; proposed – $1,500.00

Board of Counselors and Social Workers
*License late fees – current – $0.00; proposed – $40.00
*License Verification – current – $0.00; proposed – $25.00
*Continuing Education programs – current – $0.00; proposed – $10.00

Department of Development
***Global markets – current – $0.00; proposed – $250.00

Department of Natural Resources
Well log filing – current – $0.00; proposed – $20.00
Dam construction filing – base – current – $1,000.00; proposed – $1,500.00
Dam construction filing – cap – current – $100,000.00; proposed – $500,000.00
Non-Resident landowner hunting – current – $0.00; proposed – Resident license fees
Waterways conservation assessment (nonmotorized boats) – 3 yrs – current – $0.00; proposed – $5.00
Waterways conservation assessment (nonmotorized boats) – 1 yr – current – $0.00; proposed – $1.50
Include horizontal measure on dam fee structure – current -$1 per foot of height of dam; proposed -
$6 per foot of height + $0.05 per width +$0.05 per acre of water
Energy extraction – Coal – current – $0.00; proposed – $0.08 per ton or $0.04 per ton based on DNR
determination
Energy extraction – Natural Gas – current – $0.00; proposed – $0.05 per MCF or 2.25% of value based on DNR
determination
Energy extraction – Oil – current – $0.00; proposed – $0.20 per barrel or 0.56% of value based on DNR determination
*ATV motorized trails registration – current – $5.00; proposed – $31.25
*ATV short term registration – current – $8.50/ 15 days; proposed – $11/ yr

Department of Health
X-Ray biennial registration – current – $218.00; proposed – $262.00
Dental X-Ray tube inspection – current – $129.00; proposed – $155.00
Subsequent dental x-ray tube inspection – current – $64.00; proposed – $77.00
Medical x-ray tube inspection – current – $256.00; proposed – $307.00
Subsequent medical x-ray tube inspection – current – $136.00; proposed – $163.00
Unit of ionizing equipment – current – $508.00; proposed – $610.00
Nonionizing radiation equipment- current – $256.00; proposed – $307.00
Subsequent nonionizing radiation equipment – current – $136.00; proposed – $163.00
Radiation assembler-mainteiner inspection – current – $317.00; proposed – $380.00
*Hospice Application fee – current – $300.00; proposed – $600.00
* Hospice Inspection fee-standard inspection – current – $0.00; proposed – $1,625.00
* Hospice Inspection fee-follow-up inspection – current – $0.00; proposed – $350.00
* Hospice Inspection fee-complaint inspection – current – $0.00; proposed – $850.00
Campground license 50 lots – current – $100.00; proposed – $145.00
Campground plan review $5000 – current – $350.00; proposed – $450.00
Campground plan review inspection fee – current – $225.00; proposed – $275.00
Agriculture Labor Camp registration – current – $75.00; proposed – $150.00
Agriculture Labor Camp late registration – current – $100.00; proposed – $166.00
Ag. Labor Camp housing – current – $10.00; proposed – $20.00
Agriculture Labor Camp late housing unit registration – current – $15.00; proposed – $42.50
Vital records request – current – $7.00; proposed – $12.00
* Nursing home certification fee – current – $170.00; proposed – $220- $270
* Nurse Aide training program-NATCEP initial appl fee – current – $200.00; proposed – $250.00
* Nurse Aide training program-train the trainer initial appl fee – current – $500.00; proposed – $550.00
* Marina license fee – current – $60.00; proposed – $100- $116
Pool – plan review 2000 sq ft – current – $1,300.00; proposed – $1,365.00
Pool – plan review special feature – current – $550.00; proposed – $577.00
Pool – equip/install 3 – current – $130.00; proposed – $136.50
Pool – replacement equipment – current – $40.00; proposed – $42.00
Pool – first pool license – current – $65.00; proposed – $95.00
Pool – addl pool license – current – $40.00; proposed – $50.00
* Private water supplies – new/altered PWS inspection fee – current – $50.00; proposed – $60.00
* Private water supplies – PWS Contractor registration – current – $145.00; proposed – $165.00
Child booster seat fine – first offense* – current – $25.00; proposed – $50.00
Child booster seat fine – subsequent offenses* – current – $50.00; proposed – $100.00

Department of Transportation
DOT Aircraft Licence fee cap – current – $750.00; proposed – No Limit

Department of Public Safety
Out of state passenger vehicle registration –current – 0; proposed – total 2.5% of registration 2004
Up to 2,000 lbs – current – $45.00; proposed – $47.00
2,000-6,000 lbs – current – $70.00; proposed – $72.00
6,000-10,000 lbs – current – $85.00; proposed – $88.00
10,000-14,000 lbs – current – $105.00; proposed – $108.00
14,000-18,000 lbs – current – $125.00; proposed – $129.00
18,000-22,000 lbs – current – $150.00; proposed – $154.00
22,000-26,000 lbs – current – $175.00; proposed – $180.00
26,000-30,000 lbs – current – $355.00; proposed – $364.00
30,000-34,000 lbs – current – $420.00; proposed – $431.00
34,000-38,000 lbs – current – $480.00; proposed – $492.00
38,000-42,000 lbs – current – $540.00; proposed – $554.00
42,000-46,000 lbs – current – $600.00; proposed – $615.00
46,000-50,000 lbs – current – $660.00; proposed – $677.00
50,000-54,000 lbs – current – $725.00; proposed – $744.00
54,000-58,000 lbs – current – $785.00; proposed – $805.00
58,000-62,000 lbs – current – $855.00; proposed – $877.00
62,000-66,000 lbs – current – $925.00; proposed – $940.00
66,000-70,000 lbs – current – $995.00; proposed – $1,020.00
70,000-74,000 lbs – current – $1,080.00; proposed – $1,107.00
74,000-78,000 lbs – current – $1,200.00; proposed – $1,230.00
Above 78,000 lbs – current – $1,340.00; proposed – $1,373.50
Passenger vehicle registration – current – Varies; proposed -Current amount + $19.00 (for all)
Commercial vehicle registration – current – Varies; proposed -Current amount + $5.75 (for all)
Temporary tags – current -$10.50; proposed – $15.50
Late license renewal fee – current – $0.00; proposed – $10.00
Vision screening – current – $1.00; proposed – $2.00
Abstract fee – current – $2.00; proposed – $8.00

Engineers and Surveyors Board
*Out-of-state engineer license verification fee – current – $0.00; proposed – $24.00

Environmental Protection Agency/Natural Resources
Tire fee – current -$1.00 / tire; proposed – $3.30/ tire
Municipal Solid Waste disposal – current – $3.50/ton; proposed – $4.75/ton
Construction, Demolition and Debris – current – $1.70/ ton; proposed – $4.40 /ton

Supreme Court
Supreme Court clerk filing – current – $40.00; proposed – $100.00

Medicaid Fees
NF franchise fee – FY ‘10 – current – $6.25; proposed – $11.00
NF franchise fee – FY ‘11 – current – $11.00; proposed – $11.00
Hospital franchise fee – FY ‘10 – current – 0.00%; proposed – 1.27%
Hospital franchise fee – FY ‘11 – current -1.27%; proposed – 1.37%
ICF/MR franchise fee FY ‘10 – current – $11.98; proposed – $14.25
ICF/MR franchise fee FY ‘11 –

Medical Board
Duplicate certification – current – $0.00; proposed – $35.00
Interstate license verification – current – $0.00; proposed – $50.00

Public Defender
Financial responsibility reinstatement-1st offense – current – $75.00; proposed – $100.00
Financial responsibility reinstatement-2nd offense – current – $250.00; proposed – $300.00
Financial responsibility reinstatement-3rd offense – current – $500.00; proposed – $600.00
Court Costs – nonmoving trafic violation – current – $15.00; proposed – $10.00
Court Costs – misdemenor cases – current – $15.00; proposed – $20.00
Court Costs- felony cases – current – $15.00; proposed – $30.00
Surcharge on surety and appearance bonds – current – $0.00; proposed – $25.00
License reinstatement fee – current – $30.00; proposed – $40.00
License reinstatement fee after class F – current – $15.00; proposed – $25.00

Department of Taxation
Cigarette wholesale licensing – current – $200.00; proposed – $1,000.00
Cigarette retail licensing – current – $30.00; proposed – $125.00

* Rules
** Does not include DAS charges to agencies
*** Replacement fee determined on a case by case basis – regulations to be set in JCARR

SOURCE: Office of Budget and Management