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June 13, 2008

 

STATE AFFAIRS:

Ohio Tomatoes Cleared by U.S. Food and Drug Administration - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently added Ohio to a list of states that are not associated with the latest food safety alert for certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes, due to an outbreak of salmonellosis.

 

Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs issued a statement informing Ohio consumers that Ohio-grown tomatoes are safe for consumption.

 

"The FDA has cleared Ohio tomatoes as part of their investigation, allowing consumers to buy with confidence," Boggs said. "Ohio is ranked fifth nationally in tomato production, and I'm glad that our producers won't feel the economic affects of this nationwide food safety alert."

 

According to the FDA, 145 cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul have been reported since mid-April. The FDA recommends that consumers not eat raw red roma, raw red plum, raw round red tomatoes, or products that contain these types of raw red tomatoes unless the tomatoes are from sources not associated with this outbreak.

 

A complete list of states, territories or countries not associated with this outbreak is available at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers.

 

Great Lakes Compact Almost a Reality - After much debate, the Great Lakes Compact, HB 416 (Dolan) passed both houses of the legislature. The House passed the bill unanimously in February. However, the Senate refused to support the legislation until the House passed SJR 8 with the necessary three fifths majority required for it to appear on the ballot in November.

 

Sponsored by Sen. Tim Grendell, SJR 8 is a proposed constitutional amendment to ensure private water would not be considered "public trust" under the Great Lakes Compact. Orginially, the House Democratic caucus was not supportive of the measure. However, the resolution was amended to limit its focus, and it passed the House by a vote of 90 - 3. The Senate unanimously concurred on the amended version of SJR 8 and sent it to the governor for his signature. Gov. Ted Strickland stated that he did not believe the constitutional amended was necessary to protect private water rights, but would support the resolution.

 

Due to the passage of SJR 8 in the House, the Senate up held its end of the bargain by passing HB 416. Gov. Strickland has also stated that he plans to support HB 416 and the Great Lakes Compact.

 

Bioproducts Task Force Recommendations Announced - Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Ohio Agriculture Director Robert Boggs announced recommendations from the Ohio Agriculture to Chemicals, Polymers and Advanced Materials Task Force, also known as the Bioproducts Task Force, that will be submitted as part of a report to Governor Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly later this week.

 

The task force was created by House Bill 233 to identify ways in which Ohio can become a leader in the bioproducts industry by linking the state's $98 billion food and agriculture industry with its $49 billion chemical and polymer industries.

"Never before in our history has a commitment to renewable energy been as important, or as necessary," said Fisher, who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development. "This task force and its recommendations illustrate that Ohio's economic sustainability is at the intersection of our historic agricultural strengths, our burgeoning advanced materials industry, and our innovative entrepreneurial community."

Bioproducts are commercial and industrial materials than can be made from agricultural products, rather than petroleum. Examples of bioproducts include lubricants, coatings and ink toner that are made from soybeans, as well as plastics and molded fiberglass made from corn and plant fibers. Ohio's research laboratories, both public and private, are developing new bioproducts, such as high performance rubber made from Russian dandelion--a crop that could be grown in Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture chaired the Bioproducts Task Force. Other task force members included the Ohio Department of Development, the governor's energy adviser, state lawmakers, representatives of Ohio's agricultural, chemical and polymer industries, and the Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center.

"Over 150 years ago, it was agriculture that met our food, energy, and material needs," Boggs said. "Now, as the surging demands upon limited petroleum supplies push oil prices to skyrocketing levels, I am convinced that our agricultural industry will again be a key driver to lead us into a new era of independence from petroleum."

Since its first meeting in February 2008, the task force received more than 40 recommendations from industry experts and key stakeholders from across the state. Based upon its findings, the task force unanimously approved 11 key recommendations. Examples of the recommendations include:

·         Creating an Agbioproducts Technology Center to help facilitate greater statewide coordination in developing Ohio's bioproducts industry.

·         Improving the understanding of market potential by conducting an in-depth analysis of the input and output of Ohio's existing chemical and polymer companies, as well as a study of the technological and economic feasibility of producing bioproducts.

·         Expanding Ohio's capacity to refine the materials needed to grow the bioproducts market.

·         Increasing Ohio's support for entrepreneurs and innovative small businesses.

The complete task force report will be submitted June 14.

Read more about the Bioproducts Task Force and efforts to unite the agriculture, chemical and polymer industries in the July 17 issue of Buckeye Farm News.

Capital Bill Awaits Governor's Signature and Possible Line Item Vetos - The legislature heads into summer recess having reached an agreement on the $1.3 billion capital/corrections bill, HB 562. The recess was delayed by almost two weeks due in part to the House refusing to concur on changes made to the bill in the Senate. The bill is chock-full of significant policy language and provisions related to an estimated $740 million biennium operating budget imbalance.

 

Now that both houses have agreed on the conference committee version of the bill, it goes to Gov. Strickland to meet the wrath of his line item veto. Strickland said an amendment to earmark money from the state's "blue sign" program for the Highway Patrol would receive "very careful scrutiny." A provision to prohibit the Ohio School Facilities Commission from releasing contractors' wage and benefit information would also come under careful review of the administration.  

 

Connect Ohio is Moving Forward - Connect Ohio is a public-private partnership that brings together with technology-minded businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the state and close the digital divide.

 

One of the key goals of Connect Ohio is to establish eCommunity Leadership Teams in every county. Connect Ohio's technology planning specialists (eCommunity strategists) will work with these teams to develop comprehensive technology growth plans that involve many sectors of the community including local government, business and industry, education, healthcare, agriculture, libraries, tourism, and community-based organizations. Each eCommunity team will complete a Strategic Technology Plan for itsrespective county. The reports will provide every Ohio County with a tactical plan to address its own challenges related to technology growth.

 

Goals of the eCommunity Leadership Teams include:

• Building a shared understanding of the links between the Governor's Broadband Initiative and community economic development.

• Discussing local visions for how new services can make a difference in education, business, government, community-based organizations and other sectors.

• Planing the e-Community Benchmark assessment, customizing the process for local needs.

• Determining what data needs to be collected for the completion of the assessment.

• Identifying the key economic sectors to be included.

• Identifying who needs to participate in the assessment.

• Generating ideas for action initiatives that move the community forward and take advantage of the next generation of telecommunications services.

 

Ultimately the eCommunity Leadership Teams will be working to bring broadband availability to citizens across the state who do not currently have access. If you are interested in serving on an ecommunity Leadership Team in your county, contact Chris Henney at chenney@ofbf.org.

 

Governor Signs Jobs Stimulus Package; Clean Ohio Funding Moves to Fall Ballot - Governor Strickland signed the jobs stimulus package, HB 554 (Hottinger), this week, after making a few line item vetoes of lesser importance. "This $1.57 billion package makes targeted investments in our workforce, our infrastructure and in industries that have a bright future in our state," Senate President Bill Harris said in a statement. "I am confident that it will give our economy a much needed boost in the right direction."

 

Coupled with a separate ballot issue to double the size of the $400 million Clean Ohio bond program for industrial revitalization and conservation-related projects, the legislation provides for a mix of bonds, diverted anti-tobacco funds and general revenue to pay for infrastructure improvements and targeted research, development, and work force initiatives.

 

The legislation appropriates: $400 million for infrastructure and broadband through the Ohio Public Works Commission; $250 million for higher education internships and co-op programs; $150 million for advanced energy; $120 million in historic preservation tax credits; $100 million for logistics and distribution; $100 million for biomedical and $50 million for bioproduct development.

 

After the governor announced a larger package of mostly bonds in his State of the State address, negotiations with top lawmakers resulted in a spending package that deploys less in general revenue-backed bonds and more in cash. The latter component comes courtesy of a $230 million raid on tobacco money (a move that's still subject to a legal fight) the dip into surplus funds and foregone future revenue for the tax credits.

 

As introduced, the bill earmarked $200 million from future Ohio Turnpike revenues to help retire some of the infrastructure bonds, but that plan was scuttled when northern Ohio lawmakers and their constituents balked at what would have been an unprecedented diversion of the mostly toll-funded proceeds. As a result, the General Assembly instead gave the governor clearance to transfer $200 million from the rainy day fund on "July 1, 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter...."

 

"This option will allow the administration flexibility over the next year...to find a source of alternative funding," according to Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey.

 

Voters Face at Least Three Statewide Issues in November - Ohio voters will decide the fate of at least three, but possibly up to six, constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot. Three of these already are guaranteed to be on the ballot, since they were approved by acts of the General Assembly. Legislators agreed to place before voters amendments that would:

·         Affirm rights of property owners to ground water or water flowing through their land (SJR 8.) This measure is added protection for private property owners against the possible "taking" of water rights by the Great Lakes Compact states. It specifies that groundwater and surface water on someone's property are not subject to the Compact's provisions.

·         Change the timeline for placing an initiative or referendum before voters. The measure is intended to avoid situations in which issues ruled off ballots due to invalid signatures have nonetheless appeared before voters. (HJR 3)

·         Authorize the state to borrow $400 million for environmental conservation, preservation, and revitalization purposes (HJR 5.) This is the "Clean Ohio" proposal which OFBF has not yet taken a position on, but is expected to shortly through Board action. The Clean Ohio Fund is broken into four programs; the distribution is handled differently for each program:

o    Brownfields: This program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development in coordination with Ohio EPA.

o    Open space and watershed conservation (Clean Ohio Conservation Program): An 11-member, locally-appointed Natural Resources Assistance Council prioritizes applications and makes recommendations to the governor.

o    Farmland preservation: Administered by the Department of Agriculture, with the advice of a Farmland Preservation Advisory Board.

o    Recreational trails: Administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, with the advice of a Clean Ohio Trail Advisory Board.

Other possible Nov. 4 issues, depending on whether backers collect sufficient valid signatures:

·         A constitutional amendment that would authorize a single, $600 million casino in Clinton County - with gross tax receipts distributed to all 88 counties. (MyOhioNow)

·         An initiated statute that would require employers to provide full-time workers with seven paid sick days annually. Ohioans for Healthy Families, the labor-led coalition backing the measure, said Thursday it already has gathered more than 100,000 of the 120,683 names it needs on petitions.

·         A referendum challenging a payday lending law, HB 545, that opponents claim will wipe out the business. Referendum advocates need to submit petitions with 241,366 signatures.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ODOT invites all Ohioans to Join the "Transportation Conversation"

All Ohioans are invited to join in a first-of-its-kind "Transportation Conversation" to determine the type of transportation system the state needs for the future.  The Ohio Department of Transportation officially launched the Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force by naming a diverse mix of industry experts and state leaders who will lead the historic endeavor.

Leading the task force will be Chairman Ty Marsh, president of the Columbus Chamber; Vice-Chair Frank Jackson, mayor of Cleveland; and Vice-Chair Deborah Lieberman, commissioner for Montgomery County. The statewide conversations will be led by individual steering committees centered on three key issues: promoting a multi-modal system, maximizing public investment, and generating economic development.

Supporting the effort will be a host of individuals and experts serving on working committees, with backgrounds ranging from business and industry, shipping and logistics, finance and development, urban planning and agriculture, education and health care, transportation, and state and local government.

In addition to gathering public input and information at a series of open meetings across the state, the task force is encouraging all Ohioans to join the conversation by submitting their ideas and opinions here.

Also, please take a moment to complete a public opinion survey regarding transportation in Ohio.

The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force convened its inaugural meeting May 7 at ODOT's Central Office in Columbus.

A final report from the Task Force is expected this fall. Through a consensus around these important issues, Ohio can have one voice on it transportation needs as we enter debate on the state's next biennium budget and the authorization of a new federal transportation bill.

Regional Task Force Meeting Dates and Times:

•Cleveland - Cleveland State University, Joseph E. Cole Center, June 17

•Akron - John S. Knight Center, 77 East Mill Street, June 23