Trouble at the last minute
Another of example of legislating without benefit of enough thought
Ohio.com, June 22, 2011.
Red flags should go up whenever legislators make last-minute additions to bills during the final legislative stages. Chances are, such insertions are ill-considered. It is a disservice to the public when they slip amendments into legislation without the benefit of full airing.
The chairman of the Ohio Senate Criminal Justice Committee, Timothy Grendell, added to the criminal sentencing bill, House Bill 86, a notification provision so broad it promised to increase the stigma on foster children who must be placed in new communities due to no fault of their own.
With little time left on the legislative calendar to consider the House-approved sentencing bill, Grendell added language that required children services agencies, when they placed foster children with mental, emotional or behavior problems in new communities, to notify the school superintendent and private school officials within the district, plus the juvenile court, the county sheriff and the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality where the foster home was located.
In short, as child protective agencies quickly pointed out, the amendment applied a notification policy more relevant to the state's sex-offender registry to foster children, whether or not they have had problems with the law. The agencies argue correctly that without any justification, the notification measure would single out and further stigmatize children who already are traumatized by their experiences and need therapeutic care to rebuild their lives in a new environment away from home.
The criminal sentencing bill, including the foster-care notification, is scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor, most likely before the end of the week. Thankfully, Grendell has acknowledged the concerns raised by child advocates. He significantly scaled down the scope of his initial proposal. More reasonably, the proposed notification now would be limited to foster children who are adjudicated delinquent for violent crimes.
Better still would be removing the provision, the proper assessment still lacking, the episode illustrating again the trouble with legislating by stealth.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Foster care youth and alumni express concerns about Foster Youth Community Notification Provisions
Senate Criminal Justice Reports out Sentencing Reform Bill
Hannah Report, June 22, 2011.
After five hours and two recesses for drafting changes, the criminal sentencing overhaul cleared committee on a party line vote, with all Republicans voting for and all Democrats against HB86.
The chair, Sen. Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland), began the hearing by describing the substitute bill, which includes the following changes, among others:
- Earned credits to be “provisional” up to five days plus possible bonus days, but no more than eight percent of original sentence. Involuntary manslaughter would now qualify for earned credit.
- The “Foster fix” now reflects the language of SB2 rather than House amendments to HB86.
- Encourages minimum sentencing where appropriate.
- “Bifurcates” sentencing for third-degree felonies, making certain offenses including gross sexual imposition and corruption of a minor up to five years in prison.
- Increased risk reduction sentencing from 75 percent to 80 percent.
- Provides that the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) will review all inmates 65 and older and determine why they are still in prison.
- Eliminates the 10-year cap on judicial release under certain conditions.
- Commissions a DRC inmate assault study.
- Adopts certificates of achievement and employability as a “second-chance” program.
- Incorporates Sen. Kearney’s SB44, which prohibits inmates from possessing a photograph of their sex crime victims.
- Makes use of risk assessment tool non-mandatory.
- Specifies that only a child that furnished, brandished, used or discarded a gun used in a crime will be subject to firearm sentencing specifications.
- Prohibits the issuance of speeding tickets based on the unaided visual determination of an officer.
- Specifies that only the head administrator of a school attended by a foster child adjudicated delinquent would know of the child’s background, in addition to the top law enforcement official in the area, and shields the address of the child’s foster home.
The committee then heard from a series of witnesses opposed to the addition of the delinquency notification provision, including Alex McFarland, a former foster child and a member and former president of the Ohio Youth Advisory Board; Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Ben Kearney of Berea Children's Home and Family Services; Associate Director for Government Relations Mark Mecum of the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies; and Judge Theresa Dellick of the Mahoning County Juvenile Court, who added her comments to written testimony otherwise supportive of juvenile justice changes in the bill.
McFarland discussed the "discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping" foster children will be further subjected to under delinquency disclosure provisions. Sen. Turner agreed that the addition would amount to a "Scarlet Letter" for foster children.
Witness Kearney said HIPAA confidentiality laws would not apply to delinquent foster children under treatment. "The unintended consequences of this provision will damage the lives of Ohio's youth."
Said Mecum, "Foster children need care and support from the state of Ohio -- their legal custodian -- until we find them permanent, loving families. This type of warning mechanism for communities could lead to mistreatment of the youth, promotion of a stigma that foster children are dangerous, disincentives for foster parenting, and establishment of a dangerous statutory precedent."
Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) noted the racial dimensions of a provision that could apply disproportionately to minority youth.
Dellick suggested the notification requirement be limited to foster youth adjudicated delinquent for crimes of violence, and the chair agreed.
"Done deal. That's a good suggestion," Grendell said.
The committee recessed for an hour to draft the change. When it adjourned, OACCA reiterated it's opposition to the notification provision, notwithstanding the pending change. Lamar Graham, a teacher, college advisor and former foster child, and Arlene Jones, a caseworker for a child service agency, and former foster child, concurred with OACCA.
Lisa Dickson, a former foster child and advocate of foster children, then read off one by one the 22 agencies that have submitted a joint letter in opposition to the notification requirement: Ohio Foster Care Association, Children's Defense Fund-Ohio, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Catholic Charities, Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau, Public Children Services Association of Ohio, The Ohio Council, Voices for Ohio's Children, Ohio CASA, Ohio Adoption Planning Group, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio, Ohio Grandparent Kinship Coalition, Daybreak, Maryhaven, Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board, Pathway Caring for Children, Ohio Independent Living Association, National Center for Adoption and Law Policy, Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, Adopt America Network, and The Village Network.
Dickson expressed sympathy for the murder committed by a foster child in Grendell's district, which the chair cited in defense of the notification requirement, though the witness suggested it should not be used as a broad brush for all foster children adjudicated delinquent. It prompted a reaction from the chair.
"We have instances of foster children in other counties that have killed their foster parents, but I won't bore you with that tonight," he said.
Executive Director David Singleton of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center offered proponent testimony on other provisions of the bill, specifically, certificates of achievement and employability and the “Foster fix” restoration of judicial presumption in favor of concurrent sentences, which dates back to the 1996 determinate sentencing scheme.
“A key step in significantly reducing the expensive prison-return rate is to remove obstacles to employment for people with criminal records,” he said, calling the certificates “a good first step.” He agreed with Sen. Lehner that the concept should be extended to people with criminal records who are no longer, or never were, in prison.
On concurrent sentences, Singleton agreed with the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association that all elements of the original determinant sentencing scheme must be in play for the system to work as intended. He noted, as have many over the past several years, that the Ohio Supreme Court ruling in State v. Foster (2006) hobbled the use of concurrent sentences in lieu of consecutive sentences.
Yet Singleton said current language is too watered down and will nevertheless result in relatively low-level offenders receiving consecutive sentences.
Sen. Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) commended Singleton for making ex-offenders his life's work. "I know your background, and you could have made a million dollars on Wall Street."
Several representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving also submitted written testimony opposing OVI provisions of the bill.
The chair followed with several recesses to draft a number of changes to the bill, including the rollback of the delinquent foster child notification requirement to those guilty of violent crimes.
When the committee reconvened the final time, the substitute bill was accepted without objection and then amended with several changes:
- A “technical amendment” which, among other things, specifies that juvenile competency hearings apply to all offenses under R.C. 2152 except juvenile traffic offenses, and provides for the expungement of lower level criminal findings in “reverse bind-over” cases. The amendment was accepted along party lines.
- A “purely technical amendment,” which was accepted without objection.
- An amendment removing transitional control language from the bill, which was accepted without objection.
- An amendment which preserves juvenile court jurisdiction in reverse bind-over cases, and which transfers certain notice requirements from clerks of court to prosecutors. It was accepted without objection.
- An amendment incorporating final, “comprehensive” DRC changes, which included the following, among others: deletes judicial review of certificates of achievement and employability; eliminates the “convoluted” earned credit language of substitute bill, in Grendell’s words, and instead allows DRC to reduce credits for certain institutional infractions; makes GPS monitoring the responsibility of the courts rather than DRC; allows a judge to defer sentencing for fourth- and fifth-degree felonies up to 45 days when no appropriate community sanction is readily available, allowing DRC to assist the court in finding alternatives to incarceration; eliminates the “Coley amendment.”
The 45-day deferral increased the original proposal for 30 days in an amendment to the amendment. Sen. Kearney questioned the entire concept and was joined by Sen. Turner in opposing the deferral language. The full DRC omnibus amendment, however, was accepted without objection.
- A final amendment adopting the change to the foster child notification requirement, which restricts disclosure to the school attended by the child and the highest ranking local law enforcement official, and to children adjudicated for violent crimes. The amendment was accepted along party lines.
Before the final vote, Grendell offered general comments about criminal justice legislation over the past two General Assemblies.
“This is the longest time I have spent on any bill, other than the Great Lakes Compact, during my time in the Legislature,” the chair said, suggesting he and his longtime aide from the Legislative Service Commission would be having nightmares about HB86 for some time.
The bill was then reported out along party lines in a 6-3 vote.
Grendell concluded the hearing by announcing the committee will not meet again before summer recess.
Hannah Report, June 22, 2011.
After five hours and two recesses for drafting changes, the criminal sentencing overhaul cleared committee on a party line vote, with all Republicans voting for and all Democrats against HB86.
The chair, Sen. Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland), began the hearing by describing the substitute bill, which includes the following changes, among others:
- Earned credits to be “provisional” up to five days plus possible bonus days, but no more than eight percent of original sentence. Involuntary manslaughter would now qualify for earned credit.
- The “Foster fix” now reflects the language of SB2 rather than House amendments to HB86.
- Encourages minimum sentencing where appropriate.
- “Bifurcates” sentencing for third-degree felonies, making certain offenses including gross sexual imposition and corruption of a minor up to five years in prison.
- Increased risk reduction sentencing from 75 percent to 80 percent.
- Provides that the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) will review all inmates 65 and older and determine why they are still in prison.
- Eliminates the 10-year cap on judicial release under certain conditions.
- Commissions a DRC inmate assault study.
- Adopts certificates of achievement and employability as a “second-chance” program.
- Incorporates Sen. Kearney’s SB44, which prohibits inmates from possessing a photograph of their sex crime victims.
- Makes use of risk assessment tool non-mandatory.
- Specifies that only a child that furnished, brandished, used or discarded a gun used in a crime will be subject to firearm sentencing specifications.
- Prohibits the issuance of speeding tickets based on the unaided visual determination of an officer.
- Specifies that only the head administrator of a school attended by a foster child adjudicated delinquent would know of the child’s background, in addition to the top law enforcement official in the area, and shields the address of the child’s foster home.
The committee then heard from a series of witnesses opposed to the addition of the delinquency notification provision, including Alex McFarland, a former foster child and a member and former president of the Ohio Youth Advisory Board; Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Ben Kearney of Berea Children's Home and Family Services; Associate Director for Government Relations Mark Mecum of the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies; and Judge Theresa Dellick of the Mahoning County Juvenile Court, who added her comments to written testimony otherwise supportive of juvenile justice changes in the bill.
McFarland discussed the "discrimination, prejudice and stereotyping" foster children will be further subjected to under delinquency disclosure provisions. Sen. Turner agreed that the addition would amount to a "Scarlet Letter" for foster children.
Witness Kearney said HIPAA confidentiality laws would not apply to delinquent foster children under treatment. "The unintended consequences of this provision will damage the lives of Ohio's youth."
Said Mecum, "Foster children need care and support from the state of Ohio -- their legal custodian -- until we find them permanent, loving families. This type of warning mechanism for communities could lead to mistreatment of the youth, promotion of a stigma that foster children are dangerous, disincentives for foster parenting, and establishment of a dangerous statutory precedent."
Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) noted the racial dimensions of a provision that could apply disproportionately to minority youth.
Dellick suggested the notification requirement be limited to foster youth adjudicated delinquent for crimes of violence, and the chair agreed.
"Done deal. That's a good suggestion," Grendell said.
The committee recessed for an hour to draft the change. When it adjourned, OACCA reiterated it's opposition to the notification provision, notwithstanding the pending change. Lamar Graham, a teacher, college advisor and former foster child, and Arlene Jones, a caseworker for a child service agency, and former foster child, concurred with OACCA.
Lisa Dickson, a former foster child and advocate of foster children, then read off one by one the 22 agencies that have submitted a joint letter in opposition to the notification requirement: Ohio Foster Care Association, Children's Defense Fund-Ohio, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Catholic Charities, Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau, Public Children Services Association of Ohio, The Ohio Council, Voices for Ohio's Children, Ohio CASA, Ohio Adoption Planning Group, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio, Ohio Grandparent Kinship Coalition, Daybreak, Maryhaven, Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board, Pathway Caring for Children, Ohio Independent Living Association, National Center for Adoption and Law Policy, Northeast Ohio Adoption Services, Adopt America Network, and The Village Network.
Dickson expressed sympathy for the murder committed by a foster child in Grendell's district, which the chair cited in defense of the notification requirement, though the witness suggested it should not be used as a broad brush for all foster children adjudicated delinquent. It prompted a reaction from the chair.
"We have instances of foster children in other counties that have killed their foster parents, but I won't bore you with that tonight," he said.
Executive Director David Singleton of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center offered proponent testimony on other provisions of the bill, specifically, certificates of achievement and employability and the “Foster fix” restoration of judicial presumption in favor of concurrent sentences, which dates back to the 1996 determinate sentencing scheme.
“A key step in significantly reducing the expensive prison-return rate is to remove obstacles to employment for people with criminal records,” he said, calling the certificates “a good first step.” He agreed with Sen. Lehner that the concept should be extended to people with criminal records who are no longer, or never were, in prison.
On concurrent sentences, Singleton agreed with the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association that all elements of the original determinant sentencing scheme must be in play for the system to work as intended. He noted, as have many over the past several years, that the Ohio Supreme Court ruling in State v. Foster (2006) hobbled the use of concurrent sentences in lieu of consecutive sentences.
Yet Singleton said current language is too watered down and will nevertheless result in relatively low-level offenders receiving consecutive sentences.
Sen. Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati) commended Singleton for making ex-offenders his life's work. "I know your background, and you could have made a million dollars on Wall Street."
Several representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving also submitted written testimony opposing OVI provisions of the bill.
The chair followed with several recesses to draft a number of changes to the bill, including the rollback of the delinquent foster child notification requirement to those guilty of violent crimes.
When the committee reconvened the final time, the substitute bill was accepted without objection and then amended with several changes:
- A “technical amendment” which, among other things, specifies that juvenile competency hearings apply to all offenses under R.C. 2152 except juvenile traffic offenses, and provides for the expungement of lower level criminal findings in “reverse bind-over” cases. The amendment was accepted along party lines.
- A “purely technical amendment,” which was accepted without objection.
- An amendment removing transitional control language from the bill, which was accepted without objection.
- An amendment which preserves juvenile court jurisdiction in reverse bind-over cases, and which transfers certain notice requirements from clerks of court to prosecutors. It was accepted without objection.
- An amendment incorporating final, “comprehensive” DRC changes, which included the following, among others: deletes judicial review of certificates of achievement and employability; eliminates the “convoluted” earned credit language of substitute bill, in Grendell’s words, and instead allows DRC to reduce credits for certain institutional infractions; makes GPS monitoring the responsibility of the courts rather than DRC; allows a judge to defer sentencing for fourth- and fifth-degree felonies up to 45 days when no appropriate community sanction is readily available, allowing DRC to assist the court in finding alternatives to incarceration; eliminates the “Coley amendment.”
The 45-day deferral increased the original proposal for 30 days in an amendment to the amendment. Sen. Kearney questioned the entire concept and was joined by Sen. Turner in opposing the deferral language. The full DRC omnibus amendment, however, was accepted without objection.
- A final amendment adopting the change to the foster child notification requirement, which restricts disclosure to the school attended by the child and the highest ranking local law enforcement official, and to children adjudicated for violent crimes. The amendment was accepted along party lines.
Before the final vote, Grendell offered general comments about criminal justice legislation over the past two General Assemblies.
“This is the longest time I have spent on any bill, other than the Great Lakes Compact, during my time in the Legislature,” the chair said, suggesting he and his longtime aide from the Legislative Service Commission would be having nightmares about HB86 for some time.
The bill was then reported out along party lines in a 6-3 vote.
Grendell concluded the hearing by announcing the committee will not meet again before summer recess.
Child welfare advocates express concern regarding Foster Youth Community Notification Provisions
Senate prepares to vote on 'get-out-of-prison-sooner' bill
Measure would shorten inmates' sentences and save Ohio $78 million a year
Johnson, Alan. Columbus Dispatch, June 22, 2011.
Ohio's criminal-sentencing overhaul is growing, with provisions added by an Ohio Senate panel yesterday requiring prisons to justify why they are keeping inmates 65 or older, provide certificates to help former inmates get jobs, and create an instant diversion program for shoplifters.
The Senate Judiciary Criminal Justice Committee voted 6-3 late last night to pass a substitute version of House Bill 86 loaded down with new amendments. The bill will be considered by the full Senate today.
Savings are estimated at $78 million annually on prison costs, by diverting nonviolent offenders to community programs and giving inmates credit that would reduce their sentences for participating in treatment and training. It would provide the option of treatment instead of prison for low-level, nonviolent drug offenders, allow release of inmates who have served at least 80 percent of their sentences, and equalize penalties for crack-cocaine and powder-cocaine possession.
Gov. John Kasich supports the main provisions of the bill, which he called "common-sense improvements that are badly needed."
One change approved last night would require the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to issue a report justifying why prisoners who are 65 should still be kept in prison. The state now houses 320 prisoners 65 or older and nearly 1,900 inmates 60 or older.
Other changes include a provision that would give inmates who have completed certain programs a "certificate of achievement and employability." That would shield potential employers from on-the-job liability if they hire ex-offenders.
Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chesterland, the committee chairman, said another change would permit a sort of instant diversion program for shoplifters. They would not be arrested, but could arrange a community program with the store in lieu of jail time.
"This ought to help us some and save money in the process," he said.
Another addition didn't sit well with child-welfare advocates. They opposed a provision to notify the area school superintendent and law-enforcement chief when a foster child found delinquent for a violent offense moves into the community. They said the provision is discriminatory and serves no purpose other than labeling children who are already struggling.
"It's unclear what use, if any, law-enforcement agencies would have for the information," said Mark Mecum of the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies. "The state has no grounds to treat any children like this - particularly foster children."
Benjamin Kearney, a psychologist with Berea Children's Home and Family Services, said the law doesn't protect privacy or provide consequences when violated.
"You can't stop that kind of gossip once it starts," he said. "Soon enough, foster parents will be asked, 'Why did you bring that felon into the community?'"
Grendell said he introduced the amendment because a foster youth was involved in a homicide in his district several years ago.
"I don't know what could have been done to prevent that," Mahoning County Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick said in testimony on the bill.
A change tucked into the bill by Grendell would prohibit law enforcement from issuing a speeding ticket without using a radar gun, stopwatch or other device unless it is raining, snowing or in other inclement weather. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last year that an officer could use visual judgment to gauge speed in issuing a ticket.
Dispatch reporter Rita Price contributed to this story.
Measure would shorten inmates' sentences and save Ohio $78 million a year
Johnson, Alan. Columbus Dispatch, June 22, 2011.
Ohio's criminal-sentencing overhaul is growing, with provisions added by an Ohio Senate panel yesterday requiring prisons to justify why they are keeping inmates 65 or older, provide certificates to help former inmates get jobs, and create an instant diversion program for shoplifters.
The Senate Judiciary Criminal Justice Committee voted 6-3 late last night to pass a substitute version of House Bill 86 loaded down with new amendments. The bill will be considered by the full Senate today.
Savings are estimated at $78 million annually on prison costs, by diverting nonviolent offenders to community programs and giving inmates credit that would reduce their sentences for participating in treatment and training. It would provide the option of treatment instead of prison for low-level, nonviolent drug offenders, allow release of inmates who have served at least 80 percent of their sentences, and equalize penalties for crack-cocaine and powder-cocaine possession.
Gov. John Kasich supports the main provisions of the bill, which he called "common-sense improvements that are badly needed."
One change approved last night would require the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to issue a report justifying why prisoners who are 65 should still be kept in prison. The state now houses 320 prisoners 65 or older and nearly 1,900 inmates 60 or older.
Other changes include a provision that would give inmates who have completed certain programs a "certificate of achievement and employability." That would shield potential employers from on-the-job liability if they hire ex-offenders.
Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chesterland, the committee chairman, said another change would permit a sort of instant diversion program for shoplifters. They would not be arrested, but could arrange a community program with the store in lieu of jail time.
"This ought to help us some and save money in the process," he said.
Another addition didn't sit well with child-welfare advocates. They opposed a provision to notify the area school superintendent and law-enforcement chief when a foster child found delinquent for a violent offense moves into the community. They said the provision is discriminatory and serves no purpose other than labeling children who are already struggling.
"It's unclear what use, if any, law-enforcement agencies would have for the information," said Mark Mecum of the Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies. "The state has no grounds to treat any children like this - particularly foster children."
Benjamin Kearney, a psychologist with Berea Children's Home and Family Services, said the law doesn't protect privacy or provide consequences when violated.
"You can't stop that kind of gossip once it starts," he said. "Soon enough, foster parents will be asked, 'Why did you bring that felon into the community?'"
Grendell said he introduced the amendment because a foster youth was involved in a homicide in his district several years ago.
"I don't know what could have been done to prevent that," Mahoning County Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick said in testimony on the bill.
A change tucked into the bill by Grendell would prohibit law enforcement from issuing a speeding ticket without using a radar gun, stopwatch or other device unless it is raining, snowing or in other inclement weather. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled last year that an officer could use visual judgment to gauge speed in issuing a ticket.
Dispatch reporter Rita Price contributed to this story.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Shared sacrifice - or not
Budget plan spares rich of the worst: Kasich, GOP defend it, but tax cuts, end of estate tax among provisions favoring wealthy
Vardon, Joe. Columbus Dispatch, June 13, 2011.
Talk of "shared sacrifice" was in the air last week as the Ohio Senate approved the $55.7 billion state budget.
But in a spending plan that whacks schools, local governments, higher education, nursing homes, day care for children of low-income parents, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, children's hospitals and work-support programs for the poor, one group was notably exempted from the pain.
Ohio's biggest earners.
Republicans who control the legislature filled an $8 billion shortfall without raising state taxes for anybody, an accomplishment many thought unlikely.
But they eliminated the estate tax beginning in 2013, which affects only the top 8 percent of estates. When the Senate restored $85 million in school-funding money, the lion's share went to more-affluent districts.
And the two-year budget incorporated the final portion of state income-tax cuts begun in 2005, with the largest dollar reductions going to those with an annual income above $200,000, who contribute about 25 percent of all income-tax dollars going to the state.
While the percentage cuts are the same for all, the $200,000-plus Ohioans could take home an estimated average of about $950 from that tax cut, while those in the most-common tax bracket - making about $40,000 to $80,000 - get about $80.
"Lawmakers and the governor in Columbus have made it clear they're going to take care of rich people," said Jack Frech, job and family services director in Athens County.
When asked how the rich are being asked to sacrifice in the budget that his chamber would pass a few hours later, Senate President Tom Niehaus searched for an answer last week before citing the state income-tax cuts, which took effect in Strickland's final days.
"There are no specific policies targeting the wealthy, but as taxpayers of the state of Ohio, they suffer along with the rest of us," the New Richmond Republican said. "Some might argue they suffer less, but they still suffer along with the rest of us, whether it's in opportunities that exist, and inability to expand businesses in a tough economic climate."
When House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, was asked about the burden on the rich, he gave a long reply that didn't answer the question.
However, Gov. John Kasich did have a response for sparing the rich.
"What we've been doing is driving successful people out of Ohio, which has put Ohio in a ditch," Kasich said. "I don't know why we would want to punish success in Ohio."
Ken Mayland, president of Clearview Economics, an economic-forecasting company in Cleveland, said preserving the income-tax cut and eliminating the estate tax are both "arguably good economic policy."
Mayland said he was "under no illusions that it's easy to cut spending."
Speaking specifically on the estate tax, Mayland said "what's lost in the shuffle is that there are people who will move out of the state because of it."
Zach Schiller, research director at the liberal nonprofit Policy Matters Ohio, released a report last week that favors keeping the estate tax - which is a 6 percent tax on estates worth more than $338,333. The tax is 7 percent on estates worth more than $500,000 and is paid when assets are transferred after someone dies.
Schiller said the tax generated $231 million for local governments and $55million for the state's general fund last year, and he contends that the notion Ohioans leave the state because of that tax is false.
Schiller also told The Dispatch that he is in favor of a rollback of the income tax for Ohio's top earners - a proposal he concedes would be dead on arrival to Kasich's desk.
"Given the scope of the cuts, the slashing of funds to local governments and human services, there is not the kind of sacrifices being asked of the affluent that others in Ohio are going to experience," Schiller said.
Kasich insists that the budget he proposed March 15 was pieced together without political considerations.
When asked what sacrifices he was asking the rich to make, Kasich said "you may be asked to give a little more for your schools," referring to his budget formula - later changed by the Senate - that applied the largest funding cuts to the state's wealthiest schools.
The House and Senate added a combined $165million in operating money to ease school-funding cuts, much of that directed at wealthier, suburban districts.
The Senate also added a $17 per-student bonus for schools rated "excellent" or better, totaling about $28 million over two years. An analysis by education advocacy groups found that two-thirds of that money would go to districts the state classifies as high wealth.
To further illustrate that he has been judicious in fiscal policy, Kasich pointed to grant money he's clawed back from businesses that failed to meet promises to create a certain number of jobs in return for state funds about $1.6 million from 12 companies.
The governor also cited the creation in the budget of a commission to study closing some corporate tax loopholes that cost the state millions of dollars.
Senate Republicans also inserted into the budget a 5 percent pay cut for most lawmakers beginning in 2013 (the rest in 2015). They called that a gesture of "shared sacrifice" to people throughout the state affected by budget cuts.
Frech, the director of Athens County's Department of Job and Family Services, runs programs for the poor in a county with a 33 percent poverty rate. He said he hasn't seen any attempts at true shared sacrifice.
Frech said his department laid off 25 employees two years ago because of dwindling funds, and it may lay off 20 more this year because of the $1.2 million cut in state aid slated for his department.
In Appalachian communities such as his where high-paying jobs are scarce, Frech argues that tax cuts when state budgets are tight do more harm then good.
"They consider themselves to have done a great job because they haven't raised taxes and they didn't cut human services as much as they could have," Frech said. "But they're bad. They're terrible. There are people struggling to survive out there every day."
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Congratulations, Representative Ted Celeste
A long-time advocate for children and youth, Representative Ted Celeste is also recognized for his contributions to education. In fact, Representative Ted Celeste crafted Ohio’s policy to allow foster alums that attend Ohio Community Colleges to have a greater value of their OCOG grant (state financial aid) than other students, in recognition that most others are commuters while foster alums must finance their own housing.
On June 10, the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University has named State Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Columbus) the recipient of its "Outstanding Public Service Award" for career contributions to public service. The school cited Celeste as a “stalwart supporter of education and leader throughout his career” and for his leadership in the “effort to create OSU’s Science and Technology Campus which houses space for biotech and biomedical startup companies,” among other accomplishments. (From The Hannah Report)
On June 10, the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University has named State Rep. Ted Celeste (D-Columbus) the recipient of its "Outstanding Public Service Award" for career contributions to public service. The school cited Celeste as a “stalwart supporter of education and leader throughout his career” and for his leadership in the “effort to create OSU’s Science and Technology Campus which houses space for biotech and biomedical startup companies,” among other accomplishments. (From The Hannah Report)
Monday, June 13, 2011
Gates Foundation Grant Goes to Three Ohio Colleges
Gates Foundation Funds Three Ohio Colleges to Develop Programs to Increase College Completion
Hannah Report, May 25, 2011.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has selected Stark State, Lorain County Community College and Sinclair Community College to participate in its "Completion by Design" project to devise and share new approaches to help low-income students ages 16-26 obtain a degree, certificate or credential. Schools in three other states will also be part of the five-year effort.
The project begins with an initial $500,000 planning grant to be shared by the three schools, which were selected by the Gates Foundation after a rigorous competition announced last October at the White House Summit on Community Colleges.
“This program is important not only in that it focuses on the student completion that our state needs at this time, but also in that it can only be successful with the full engagement and support of Ohioans at many levels,” Stark State President John O’Donnell said in a statement.
“Completion by Design” aims to build on proven, existing practices already underway at these community colleges that focus on areas such as course scheduling, advising and curriculum development.
“We need many to be onboard with this program at many levels: from students, faculty and staff at our respective institutions, to policy leaders in Columbus who will help us develop policies that favor completion, to business leaders who will advise on the skills they need from our completing students,” O’Donnell said.
Nationally, community colleges serve nearly 11 million students, and enrollment has surged as the recession has forced many Americans to return for additional training and education. However, according to recent federal data, just 22 percent of first-time, full-time students in community colleges graduate in three years. For Hispanics and African-Americans, the rates are lower -- 17 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
A report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce forecasts that by 2018, 63 percent of jobs will require at least some post-secondary education. The report also shows that without a dramatic change in course, the labor market will be short three million educated workers over the next eight years.
Collectively, Stark State, Sinclair and Lorain will work over the next 12 months to develop a plan that will outline pathways encouraging more students to complete degrees, certificates and workforce credentials. In addition, the plan will address such aspects as data sharing, best practices, and statewide policy development.
“We believe that today’s students -- particularly low-income students -- need smarter, affordable postsecondary options that lead to high-quality outcomes,” Hilary Pennington, director of education, postsecondary success at the Gates Foundation, said in the release.
Hannah Report, May 25, 2011.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has selected Stark State, Lorain County Community College and Sinclair Community College to participate in its "Completion by Design" project to devise and share new approaches to help low-income students ages 16-26 obtain a degree, certificate or credential. Schools in three other states will also be part of the five-year effort.
The project begins with an initial $500,000 planning grant to be shared by the three schools, which were selected by the Gates Foundation after a rigorous competition announced last October at the White House Summit on Community Colleges.
“This program is important not only in that it focuses on the student completion that our state needs at this time, but also in that it can only be successful with the full engagement and support of Ohioans at many levels,” Stark State President John O’Donnell said in a statement.
“Completion by Design” aims to build on proven, existing practices already underway at these community colleges that focus on areas such as course scheduling, advising and curriculum development.
“We need many to be onboard with this program at many levels: from students, faculty and staff at our respective institutions, to policy leaders in Columbus who will help us develop policies that favor completion, to business leaders who will advise on the skills they need from our completing students,” O’Donnell said.
Nationally, community colleges serve nearly 11 million students, and enrollment has surged as the recession has forced many Americans to return for additional training and education. However, according to recent federal data, just 22 percent of first-time, full-time students in community colleges graduate in three years. For Hispanics and African-Americans, the rates are lower -- 17 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
A report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce forecasts that by 2018, 63 percent of jobs will require at least some post-secondary education. The report also shows that without a dramatic change in course, the labor market will be short three million educated workers over the next eight years.
Collectively, Stark State, Sinclair and Lorain will work over the next 12 months to develop a plan that will outline pathways encouraging more students to complete degrees, certificates and workforce credentials. In addition, the plan will address such aspects as data sharing, best practices, and statewide policy development.
“We believe that today’s students -- particularly low-income students -- need smarter, affordable postsecondary options that lead to high-quality outcomes,” Hilary Pennington, director of education, postsecondary success at the Gates Foundation, said in the release.
Spotlight on Economic Development Grantmaking in Ohio
Direct link to article: http://pndblog.typepad.com/pndblog/2011/05/spotlight-on-economic-dev-in-ohio.html
Three years ago, Philanthropy: Front and Center spotlighted key facts about economic development grantmaking in Ohio. Earlier this month, they released an update to the original report (Spotlight on Economic Development Grantmaking in Ohio, 2011) which found that grant dollars for economic development increased from $24.5 million in 2005 to $62 million in 2008, a 152 percent increase. As a share of total giving in Ohio, economic development grants doubled, from 7 percent to 14 percent.
Giving to two major subcategories, employment and training services and urban development, accounted for nearly three-quarters of all giving for economic development in Ohio. A significant increase in giving for employment training and services can be attributed to a major gift of $20 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to the University of Akron Foundation's Austen BioInnovation Institute; the gift is expected to create 2,100 jobs.
The report also identified the top ten foundations awarding grants in Ohio for economic development as well as the top 10 recipients of economic development.
A special area of the Foundation Center's Web site provides access to the report, free online resources including an interactive map of economic development grants in Ohio, a video highlighting the report's findings (see below), audio and video recordings of local leaders in the field talking about Ohio's funding landscape, and links to other published reports.
To read or download the report (2 pages, PDF), click here.
The report and web page were funded in part by the Cleveland Foundation, the Generation Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.
May 30, 2011
Spotlight on Economic Development Grantmaking in Ohio: An Update
(This post originally appeared on the Philanthropy Front and Center - Cleveland blog.)Three years ago, Philanthropy: Front and Center spotlighted key facts about economic development grantmaking in Ohio. Earlier this month, they released an update to the original report (Spotlight on Economic Development Grantmaking in Ohio, 2011) which found that grant dollars for economic development increased from $24.5 million in 2005 to $62 million in 2008, a 152 percent increase. As a share of total giving in Ohio, economic development grants doubled, from 7 percent to 14 percent.
Giving to two major subcategories, employment and training services and urban development, accounted for nearly three-quarters of all giving for economic development in Ohio. A significant increase in giving for employment training and services can be attributed to a major gift of $20 million from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to the University of Akron Foundation's Austen BioInnovation Institute; the gift is expected to create 2,100 jobs.
The report also identified the top ten foundations awarding grants in Ohio for economic development as well as the top 10 recipients of economic development.
A special area of the Foundation Center's Web site provides access to the report, free online resources including an interactive map of economic development grants in Ohio, a video highlighting the report's findings (see below), audio and video recordings of local leaders in the field talking about Ohio's funding landscape, and links to other published reports.
The report and web page were funded in part by the Cleveland Foundation, the Generation Foundation, the George Gund Foundation, and the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.
Ohio Near Top of Federal Workforce Funding
Ohio Near Top of Federal Workforce Funding
Hannah News Service, May 27, 2011.
129th General Assembly - Ohio ranks near the top of federal workforce assistance in new grants announced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agency awarded nearly $15 million Friday to more than 200 public housing authorities across the U.S., including several of Ohio's major urban areas and a number of its regional centers.
Ohio will receive over $707,000 in "self-sufficiency" grants to 11 local housing authorities, surpassed only by Texas ($1.18 million), California ($1.05 million), North Carolina ($1.02 million) and Virginia ($780,000). Trailing the Buckeye State in HUD workforce awards were New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Georgia and Michigan, the latter marked for $162,000.
HUD's Public and Indian Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program seeks to assist residents on public assistance in finding jobs leading to economic independence. The awards allow housing authorities to hire program coordinators that connect residents with local education and training opportunities, job placement organizations, and local employers. By linking housing assistance with other resources, the program seeks to enable families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.
"Family self-sufficiency programs have a proven track record of helping families succeed," HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said in a statement. "When families are given the tools they need to join a skilled workforce they move beyond HUD's rental assistance programs to self-sufficiency. This is how Americans will win the future -- individually and collectively."
Public housing residents sign a contract to participate, outlining their responsibilities towards completion of training and employment goals over a five-year period. Families on welfare are asked to pursue independence from federal assistance before the contract expires. Residents may create an escrow account with their increasing income, which they may use for continuing education, major purchases or improved credit scores.
A HUD study issued earlier this year evaluated the effectiveness of the self-sufficiency program. Conducted between 2005- 2009, the report found "substantial financial benefits" for participants completing the program. This study is the second of a three-part evaluation of the program. The first study found participants fared better financially than those who did not enroll in the program. HUD will launch the third and final study of the series this year.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research will also undertake two other related studies this year. One will determine whether certain family self-sufficiency participants still enrolled when the Prospective Study ended went on to graduate from the program, and whether they met their goals for financial self-sufficiency. The second will test the effectiveness of the program nationwide -- the first national study of the self-sufficiency program as part of HUD's Transformation Initiative, created in 2010 to "encourage more transparency and accountability within the agency."
Following is a complete list of Ohio's family self-sufficiency awards:
The complete list of family self-sufficiency grants by state can be found at the HUD link:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=2010PH-FSSPHAlist.pdf
Hannah News Service, May 27, 2011.
129th General Assembly - Ohio ranks near the top of federal workforce assistance in new grants announced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agency awarded nearly $15 million Friday to more than 200 public housing authorities across the U.S., including several of Ohio's major urban areas and a number of its regional centers.
Ohio will receive over $707,000 in "self-sufficiency" grants to 11 local housing authorities, surpassed only by Texas ($1.18 million), California ($1.05 million), North Carolina ($1.02 million) and Virginia ($780,000). Trailing the Buckeye State in HUD workforce awards were New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Georgia and Michigan, the latter marked for $162,000.
HUD's Public and Indian Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program seeks to assist residents on public assistance in finding jobs leading to economic independence. The awards allow housing authorities to hire program coordinators that connect residents with local education and training opportunities, job placement organizations, and local employers. By linking housing assistance with other resources, the program seeks to enable families to increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and housing self-sufficiency.
"Family self-sufficiency programs have a proven track record of helping families succeed," HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said in a statement. "When families are given the tools they need to join a skilled workforce they move beyond HUD's rental assistance programs to self-sufficiency. This is how Americans will win the future -- individually and collectively."
Public housing residents sign a contract to participate, outlining their responsibilities towards completion of training and employment goals over a five-year period. Families on welfare are asked to pursue independence from federal assistance before the contract expires. Residents may create an escrow account with their increasing income, which they may use for continuing education, major purchases or improved credit scores.
A HUD study issued earlier this year evaluated the effectiveness of the self-sufficiency program. Conducted between 2005- 2009, the report found "substantial financial benefits" for participants completing the program. This study is the second of a three-part evaluation of the program. The first study found participants fared better financially than those who did not enroll in the program. HUD will launch the third and final study of the series this year.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research will also undertake two other related studies this year. One will determine whether certain family self-sufficiency participants still enrolled when the Prospective Study ended went on to graduate from the program, and whether they met their goals for financial self-sufficiency. The second will test the effectiveness of the program nationwide -- the first national study of the self-sufficiency program as part of HUD's Transformation Initiative, created in 2010 to "encourage more transparency and accountability within the agency."
Following is a complete list of Ohio's family self-sufficiency awards:
- Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority $131,431
- Chillicothe Metropolitan Housing Authority $50,325
- Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority $65,042
- Fairfield Metropolitan Housing Authority $56,580
- Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority $63,654
- Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority $64,782
- Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority $55,110
- Morgan Metropolitan Housing Authority $49,849
- Springfield Metropolitan Housing Authority $69,000
- Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority $50,078
- Zanesville Metropolitan Housing Authority $51,487
The complete list of family self-sufficiency grants by state can be found at the HUD link:
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=2010PH-FSSPHAlist.pdf
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Radio interview with ODJFS Director Michael Colbert
OH Budget Proposal Bridges Gap from Foster Care to Adulthood
Public News Service Ohio, June 7, 2011.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - More than $2 million could help Ohio's foster youth find their way in the "real world," but only if the state Senate budget passes. Lawmakers are proposing the additional funding for programs that assist teens as they transition out of foster care and learn to live as independent adults.
Wright State University student Adrian McLemore says foster youth often walk alone on the rough road from their teen years to young adulthood - and he knows, because he aged out of the system in 2004.
"The system kind of says, 'All right, here's your bags, good luck in life,' without any really clear direction as to where they go from there, whether we're preparing them to go to college or go to a vocational or technical school, or just asking them to function as a productive citizen."
McLemore says funding for foster youth needs to be flexible, because their individual situations vary.
"Everyone has different needs and different responsibilities. Some people who come out of foster care have maybe further developed on down the road, and so we may not need to allocate as much services towards them. And then, we have young people who may need a lot of resources. "
The director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Michael Colbert, has met with many of Ohio's foster youth, and says he is impressed with their resilience. He adds that it's crucial to prioritize support for their future success.
"These are very good young people. They've had some tough times and, by giving them a small bridge to help them better themselves in life, we are making Ohio as a whole better, and this goes a long way for such a little investment."
Colbert points out that today's foster teens are Ohio's future citizens and leaders, and that by supporting them now, they won't need other types of support in the future.
"What you don't want is young people to leave our system and come back, right back in another system. You want them to leave our system and go on to become productive citizens in life."
The money in the Senate budget proposal would provide resources and support to help improve outcomes for these adolescents, such as job training, housing assistance and basic life skills. Each year in Ohio, more than 1,000 teens age out of foster care when they turn 18.
The Senate could vote on the budget as early as next week.
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