[Ohio-talk] Fw: New legislative contacts, etc.

Tue Nov 9 13:27:45 UTC 2010

fyi

jw

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326 
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Sammons, Elizabeth 
To: 'Dr. JW Smith' ; Linda Wyman 
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 7:51 AM
Subject: New legislative contacts, etc.

Colleagues,

I hope your respective week-ends went well this year. Below and attached is some information that may be of use for your reference from the DD Council legislative liaison. As always, just let me know if I can be of additional service.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

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From: Jarvis, Paul [mailto:Paul.Jarvis at dodd.ohio.gov] 
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 5:27 PM
To: Jarvis, Paul
Subject: This Week in Public Policy - Election Week

The Election is Over..Now What?

As advocates, I'm sure you all have been watching with baited breath to see how the election would turn out. Now that it's over, we can return our focus on the work ahead of us.

Some of you have a new state legislator* or congressman. All of us have a new U.S. Senator and governor. In either case, it's our responsibility as advocates to reach out to policymakers and continue to educate them on developmental disability issues. Developing personal connections with policymakers doesn't happen in Columbus, but rather at home, in their districts. 

Attached to this message is contact information for federal and state policymakers who have been identified as winners in Tuesday's election. Please take the time to identify your new legislators and reach out to new or continuing policymakers and offer to help them understand issues that are important to you. If you don't know which legislative district you live in, you only need your zip code+4. This can be found by visiting the US Postal Service's website (http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp) and entering your home mailing address. You can then enter your zip code + 4 at www.legislature.state.oh.us to find your state legislators, and also at www.house.gov to find your federal representative.

Looking Ahead:

We face a mountain of work as Ohio prepares to tackle the looming $6-$8 billion budget shortfall. With Governor-elect John Kasich's commitment to balance the budget without tax increases, spending on all programs will be scrutinized for possible cuts or even elimination. Your voices on key issues important to you have never been more important than now!

Just Wednesday, Governor-elect Kasich appointed Tim Keen as his director of the Office of Budget and Management. Keen previously served in that position under Governor Taft. Together, they will begin working on a biennial budget that must be introduced by March 15, 2011. 

Already, leaders in the Ohio Senate are signaling their desire to take the rest of the year off, possibly leaving some legislative items to die in the 128th General Assembly. As a result, issues such as the Sunset Review Bill and the Capital Budget may be handled by a new General Assembly, which is expected to have a new Speaker of the Ohio House (Bill Batchelder) in January. 

The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council will continue to listen to advocates and educate policymakers alike about key components of Medicaid, early intervention and special education, family supports and respite, transition and supported employment, transportation and accessible, affordable housing. 

Next Week:

Both the Ohio House and Senate have cancelled sessions scheduled for Tuesday, November 9, 2010. They will convene a Joint Session to honor veterans on Wednesday, November 10.

Paul

*Note: Advocates living in even number senate districts will have the same state senator for the next two years, except for those people living in Senator Jon Husted, Senator Tim Grendell and Senator Bob Gibbs' districts. Those Senators were elected to new offices and will be replaced by appointments.

The mission of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities is continuous improvement of the quality of life for Ohio citizens with developmental disabilities and their families.

All or part of this electronic mail transmission may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention or dissemination of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify phi.support at list.dodd.ohio.gov and delete all copies of this e-mail from your system.
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