[SOA] OHS tax check-off needs YOUR support

[Martin Hauserman]

Cleveland City Council is preparing a resolution of support for HB 75 with Todd Kleismit getting a copy; have sent letters to State Senators Nina Turner, Shirley Smith and outgoing Dale Miller
Martin Hauserman
Chief City Archivist
Cleveland City Council
MAIL TO:
216 Cleveland City Hall
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
216-664-3054
FAX 216-420-8139
________________________________
From: ohioarchivists-bounces at oplin.org [ohioarchivists-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Angela O'Neal [aoneal at ohiohistory.org]
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 10:24 AM
To: ohioarchivists at oplin.org
Cc: Todd Kleismit
Subject: [SOA] OHS tax check-off needs YOUR support

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<mailto:tkleismit at ohiohistory.org>


OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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