[SOA] OHS tax check-off needs YOUR support

[Angela O'Neal]

Dear Ohio Archivists,

 

As you know, the Society has been working for more than five years on
legislation that would create a tax check-off for OHS (House Bill 75)
that would be used to help support local history-related organizations
and projects. HB 75 passed the House with flying colors last December by
a bipartisan 95-1 vote. It has since been unanimously approved by a
Senate committee. We just need the Senate to put HB 75 up for a vote,
but now the Senate appears ready to call it quits on the 128th General
Assembly - to not convene at all in the so-called "lame duck" session
where unfinished business such as HB 75 would otherwise be passed. When
times like these arise, legislators and legislative aides almost always
advise us to have our Board members and donors contact their elected
officials. Will you step up to the plate and contact your Senator today?
Senators are hearing from other constituencies to convene - and they
need to hear from us! Otherwise, HB 75 dies. HB 75 co-sponsor Rep.
Kathleen Chandler is term-limited and her main co-sponsor was defeated
last week - so neither of them will be back next year. 

 

Please call your state senator today and urge them to put House Bill 75
up for a vote now in the Senate. Click here
<http://www.ohiosenate.gov/directory.html>  to see a list of senators
and how to reach them. Some important points:

 

*	Given the dire state budget situation, passing HB 75 is one way
the Senate can help demonstrate their support for history without
costing the state anything.
*	House Bill 75 has bipartisan support. It passed the House 95-1
and a Senate committee this spring voted YES by a 9-0 count. That's 104
YES votes already!
*	HB 75 will be used to support the work of local history-related
organizations and projects through a competitive matching grants
program.

 

Note: The Senate Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee added
an amendment to HB 75 in the spring that would also add a tax check-off
for the Ohio chapter of the American Red Cross. That is making some in
the Senate leadership more reluctant to vote on HB 75 (opening it the
possibility of future tax check-offs to a broader spectrum of
nonprofits). OHS does not have a position on the Red Cross tax
check-off. The Senate has the option to strip that out of the bill if it
so chooses. Our position is that we want HB 75 to finally pass and move
on to Gov. Strickland by the end of this year.

 

Thank you so much for your help. I would appreciate it if you would let
me know if you are able to reach your senator and how they respond.

 

Sincerely,

Todd Kleismit

Ohio Historical Society

Director of Government Relations

1982 Velma Ave.

Columbus, OH 43211

(614) 297-2355 or (877) 393-4369 (office)

(614) 774-5537 (cell)

tkleismit at ohiohistory.org

 

 

OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Connect with the past. Create a better future.

 

 

 

 

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