[Ohio-talk] (no subject)

[Richard Payne]

Thanks for this message it is very important to let our state reps know
about the effect this action could have on our community.


Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937-396-5573or 937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-Talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Milena
Zavoli via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 10:24 PM
To: ohio-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: mzavoli at roadrunner.com
Subject: [Ohio-talk] (no subject)

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. 




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