[Ohio-talk] (no subject)

[mzavoli at roadrunner.com]

Greetings Friends,

Today I received an urgent message from Clevelanders For Public Transit about Governor Kasich's veto on certain line items passed by the state legislature.  Among these items is an amendment to prevent drastic cuts to the Greater Rapid Transit Authority (GRTA).  Please read and act to save RTA from further service cuts.  Remember, it's not just public transit that's affected, it's paratransit as well.  If fixed bus routes are eliminated or curtailed, paratransit service will also be jeopardized.


Thank you for your help, and the message follows:.


Milena:

Thanks to you, the Ohio budget was passed with an amendment to prevent large funding cuts from transit agencies around the state due to loss in the Medicaid
MCO tax. 

But ON FRIDAY, GOVERNOR KASICH VETOED THIS CRUCIAL AMENDMENT... 
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Members of the State House and Senate are considering overriding the Governor's harmful decision. 
They may return this Thursday to vote. They need to hear from you TODAY! 
Click HERE to send a message to Ohio lawmakers to override Kasich's veto.

Also contact the House and Senate leadership directly. Let them know that transit is crucial to getting to work. Tell them why you think transit is important.

House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger: 614-466-3506

Senate President Larry Obhof: 614-466-7505

Your action is critical. Thanks for your help! 

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MORE INFO: WHY ARE TRANSIT AGENCIES LOSING MONEY? 

Check out this 
Plain Dealer Editorial here
 for more information. 

Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) in Ohio pay sales tax on the health services they provide. If MCOs are removed from the sales tax base, as currently
planned in the state budget, transit agencies statewide could lose nearly $40 million a year starting in 2019. 

GCRTA would take the largest hit, losing over $20 million each year, with up to 10% service cuts and lay offs. 

Cuyahoga County Senator Matt Dolan has proposed a fix, known as the Dolan amendment, that would replace the tax with a franchise fee paid to transit agencies
through 2024. It was included in the state budget but vetoed by Governor Kasich. 

We are reaching out to members of the House and Senate to ask them to override the Governor's veto.