11/30/06 Legislative Task Force Approves Report on Local Government and Library Funding
The Ohio Legislature's Local Government and Library Revenue Distribution Task Force, on November 29, voted unanimously to support the Committee's final report. The report, which was distributed to library directors some weeks ago and reviewed by the OLC Board of Directors on November 17, recommends:
• a 3% increase in funding to the three local government funds, including the LLGSF for libraries, in FY '08 (July 2007);
• broadening the revenue base for all funds by establishing a new percentage of total general revenue tax receipts rather than a percentage of a single revenue stream (such as a percentage of the personal income tax as the source of the LLGSF); and
• establishing the recommended revenue sources as "peel-off" funds, and therefore not subject to the new TEL imposed on state spending.
A complete copy of the report is available online. It would be appropriate for libraries to send letters of appreciation for the hard work of the task force members. It is important to remember that this is a recommendation only, and not a budget document, but it certainly expresses this task force's support of libraries and local governments and starts libraries back on a path of funding recovery. If your legislator served on this task force, it would be appropriate to both call and follow up with a letter of appreciation. Task force members include:
- Sen. Gary Cates, Co-Chairman, West Chester
- Rep. Larry Wolpert, Co-Chairman, Hilliard
- Sen. Teresa Fedor, Toledo
- Sen. Timothy Grendell, Chesterland
- Sen. Kirk Schuring, Canton
- Sen. Kimberly Zurz, Uniontown
- Rep. Kathleen Chandler, Kent
- Rep. David Daniels, Greenfield
- Rep. Allan Sayre, Dover
- Rep. Joseph Uecker, Loveland
