February14

Updated: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 | Posted: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Ohio governor calls GOP debate on budget 'healthy'

By ANN SANNER

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

The Republican governor brushed off suggestions Wednesday that policies in his two-year state budget proposal are splintering his Party.

Gov. John Kasich told reporters at an Ohio Newspaper Association reception that he's OK with discussions around his plans to broaden the state sales tax and expand the Medicaid program.

"I don't see any fracturing," Kasich said. "What I see is a nice, honest, healthy debate over big ideas. And big ideas always have controversy connected to them."

The state treasurer, Josh Mandel, on Monday encouraged his fellow Republicans in the Legislature to reject the expansion, warning that the state would be stuck with its long-term effects.

The governor has framed the expansion as recapturing Ohio residents' tax dollars from the federal government, but Mandel said he doesn't see it that way.

"There is no free money," he wrote to House Speaker William Batchelder and Senate President Keith Faber. "While expanding Medicaid may direct more federal dollars to Ohio in the next few years, in the long term Ohioans will have to repay the debt that is funding federal government spending."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/ohio/ohio-governor-calls-gop-debate-on-budget-healthy/nWNyq/

 

 

Updated: 6:43 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013 | Posted: 6:42 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013

Democrat questions Ohio governor's speech lottery

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Ohio's Democratic chairman is questioning the propriety of a public online lottery for State of the State tickets organized by Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sik).

Through the contest, the Republican governor offered a limited number of tickets to next Tuesday's policy address in Lima (LY'-muh). Winners are to be notified Friday.

In a Wednesday letter to House Speaker William Batchelder, Democratic chairman and state Rep. Chris Redfern said the speech is a legislative event, not an administrative one.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/gaming/democrat-questions-ohio-governors-speech-lottery/nWNj4/

 

 

Bad advice

Published: February 13, 2013 - 06:35 PM

Akron Beacon Journal

Bad adviceFebruary 13,2013 11:35 PM GMTBeacon Journal Publishing Co. Copyright � 2013 Beacon Journal Publishing Co. Inc and Black Press. All Rights Reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of the Akron Beacon Journal is expressly prohibited.

For sure, John Kasich knew he was inviting the ire of conservatives nationwide with his decision to break ranks and expand Medicaid in Ohio, thus weakening the solid flank of opposition to the Affordable Care Act. That would explain the rather comical insistence by Rob Nichols, the governor’s spokesman, that the administration’s decision to implement a key program of the reform law in reality would only mitigate the terrible impact of “Obamacare.” Whatever.

What the governor may not have anticipated, though, was that state Treasurer Josh Mandel would be hoisting the banner of conservative outrage. In a letter to House Speaker Bill Batchelder and Senate President Keith Faber on Monday, Mandel cited his duty as “the fiscal watchdog of Ohioans’ hard-earned tax dollars” to urge them to reject Medicaid expansion. His argument, in short, is that the federal government is in debt; that a Medicaid expansion would increase the debt burden; and that regardless what federal funds flow to Ohio with an expansion (a bait, he called it), current and future generations of Ohioans would be on the hook for the long-term costs of Medicaid.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/bad-advice-1.373024

 

 

Politics Notebook: Dustup Over Kasich Campaign Involvement In State Of The State; IO Fundraises On Bennett; Gay Marriage Rally Set

 

Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern complained to the Speaker Bill Batchelder Wednesday that Gov. John Kasich's campaign was inappropriately offering tickets to next week's State of the State Address in Lima.

Rep. Redfern distributed to reporters a screen shot from the Kasich Campaign website that offered the chance to win tickets to the event by entering a lottery.

"As you know, the State of the State Address, while provided by the governor, is completely a function of the legislature. It is not an event organized by the executive branch," Mr. Redfern said in the letter to Speaker Batchelder (R-Medina).

"Ticket disbursement should not be conducted through a lottery by the governor's campaign committee, nor should Ohioans wishing to participate be required to give their home address, phone number, or be solicited for campaign contributions on the governor's campaign website," he said.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=820300212

 

 

 

Speaker Says Largest Budget He's Seen Could End Up Smaller – Page-Wise

Gov. John Kasich's voluminous two-year budget plan is the largest the speaker has ever seen and will likely lose at least a few of its 4,206 pages before the House finishes its work, the chamber leader said Wednesday.

Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said in an interview that it's too early to gauge a caucus position on the various major components of the bill (HB 59 ), but he reiterated that Republicans will need some convincing in regards to the proposed Medicaid expansion. With that component, the sales tax base broadening and the school-funding plan already triggering some doubts in the minds of the GOP legislative majority, has the governor dished up more than the General Assembly can successfully digest over the next few months?

The speaker deferred judgment on whether he thought the budget plate was too full - a House aide weighed the tome and it came in at a beefy 21 pounds - but pointed out that he has some 20 members who are either new this year or were appointed last session.

As such, the review will take some time as will getting a better feel for where his 59-member majority lands on the various proposals, he said, adding that weekly caucus "seminars" would be held to keep members abreast of developments. "I think it's fair to say at this point we have not heard the bill...so we're probably not in a position to have a caucus position at all and I will not be able to tell you for a week or two where the majority of the caucus might be."

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=820300204

 

February 13

Updated: 6:39 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 | Posted: 6:39 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013

Ohio's treasurer bucks GOP governor on Medicaid

By JULIE CARR SMYTH

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

A fellow Republican state official is bucking Gov. John Kasich's proposed expansion of Medicaid, urging GOP lawmakers to reject the plan for the sake of the state's bottom line.

In a letter sent Monday, Treasurer Josh Mandel urged legislative leaders to oppose Kasich's decision, which was incorporated into the $63.2 billion, two-year budget the governor released last week.

Kasich's office said Mandel's advice ignores the benefit the state's bottom line. The governor has framed the expansion as recapturing Ohioans' tax dollars from the federal government — but Mandel said he doesn't see it that way.

"There is no free money," he wrote to House Speaker William Batchelder and Senate President Keith Faber. "While expanding Medicaid may direct more federal dollars to Ohio in the next few years, in the long term Ohioans will have to repay the debt that is funding federal government spending."

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/ohio/ohios-treasurer-bucks-gop-governor-on-medicaid/nWMsj/

 

 

Mandel: Don’t expand Medicaid

By Joe Vardon

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday February 13, 2013 6:52 AM

A spokesman for House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, said he “is appreciative of the comments made by Treasurer Mandel on this important issue and looks forward to discussing this more with the members of the House in the near future.”

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/02/13/mandel-dont-expand-medicaid.html

 

 

Treasurer Josh Mandel urges lawmakers to reject Kasich's recommendation to expand Medicaid

By Robert Higgs, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer
on February 12, 2013 at 6:45 PM, updated February 12, 2013 at 6:49 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, citing concerns over a growing federal debt, has urged the General Assembly to reject Gov. John Kasich's recommendation that the state expand its Medicaid program to cover people who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

"There is no free money," Mandel said in a letter dated Monday. "While expanding Medicaid may direct more federal dollars to Ohio in the next few years, in the long term Ohioans will have to repay the debt that is funding federal government spending."

Mandel sent the letter to fellow Republicans William Batchelder, the House Speaker, and Keith Faber, the Senate President. Members of both houses and Kasich, another fellow Republican, also got copies.

Mike Dittoe, director of communications for the House Republican Caucus, acknowledged that the letter was received, but said Batchelder was in meetings all day Tuesday and as of late afternoon had not seen it.

Batchelder has not taken a formal position on the expansion of Medicaid. Committee hearings on the budget are just beginning, Dittoe said, and the speaker will wait for advice, particularly from Rep. Ron Amstutz, who chairs the House Finance Committee and is shepherding the budget through the chamber, and Rep. Barbara Sears, who has expertise on the issue of Medicaid.

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/02/treasurer_josh_mandel_urges_la.html

 

 

Beck subject of 3 Ohio probes

Rep files countersuit against 14 investors

Feb 12, 2013

 

Written by

Paul E. Kostyu

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Peter A. Beck is the subject of three separate state investigations, according to his attorney.

Meanwhile, Beck this week in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court countersued those who filed a lawsuit against him. The initial suit alleges he participated in a fraud that cheated investors out of more than $1.2 million. Beck is seeking more than $25,000, punitive damages and attorney fees.

The state investigations of the Republican former mayor of Mason are coming from:

• The Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, which is trying to determine whether Beck used his position as a state lawmaker for financial gain.

Konrad Kircher, Beck’s Mason-based attorney, told The Enquirer he has heard neither from the committee nor from the legislative inspector general, Tony W. Bledsoe, who conducts investigations for the committee. Bledsoe said he could neither confirm nor deny an investigation by his office.

House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, told The Enquirer on Jan. 7 that the ethics committee, which he chairs, was investigating Beck.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130212/NEWS/302120123/Beck-subject-3-Ohio-probes

 

 

Mandel Urges Legislators to Reject Kasich's Proposed Medicaid Expansion

Hannah Report 2/12/13

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel weighed in on the state budget debate this week, sending a letter to House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) and Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) urging them to reject Gov. John Kasich's proposed Medicaid expansion.

In a one-page letter, Mandel said that while the federal government is promising to pay for the expansion in the near term, he is concerned that an expansion of Medicaid "will overwhelm an already broken system and place an unbearable burden on generations of Ohioans."

In response to the letter, House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) spokesman Mike Dittoe said in a statement that the speaker “is appreciative of the comments made by Treasurer Mandel on this important issue and looks forward to discussing this more with the members of the House in the near future. Treasurer Mandel has been willing to serve our country on the battlefield and is an excellent public servant in the office of the Treasurer. He thanks Treasurer Mandel for his sincere thoughts on this issue, which the speaker believes further demonstrates his continuing commitment to the protection of our state and nation.”.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191932

Legislators, Farmers Connect on 'Ag Day at the Capitol'

Hannah Report 2/13/13

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) held its 2013 Ag Day at the Capitol Tuesday by connecting bureau members with legislative leaders as the General Assembly prepares to dive into the budget.

House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) and Reps. Dave Hall (R-Millersburg) and Tim Derickson (R-Oxford) addressed the group and stressed the importance of Ohio's agriculture industry, urging farmers to share their input with Statehouse leaders whenever possible.

Hall, chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, said that one of his main priorities is to focus on so-called "orphan wells," abandoned oil wells with possible faulty structures. Hall explained that there are wells around the state that were stripped of their casing during World War II to be recycled for military use.

http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191934

 

 

 

State Treasurer Urges Lawmakers To Reject Governor's Call For Medicaid Expansion

The largest rift yet among Republicans debating an expansion of Medicaid opened up Tuesday with Treasurer Josh Mandel's call for the GOP-led legislature to reject Gov. John Kasich's proposal.

Declaring there is "no free money," Mr. Mandel said in a letter to legislative leaders, "If Ohio's leaders take the bait today, I fear that generations of Ohio taxpayers will be on the hook for the long-term costs of expanding Medicaid." Mr. Mandel said he was concerned that expanding Medicaid in Ohio to cover all people up to 138% of the federal poverty level "will overwhelm an already broken system and place an unbearable burden on generations of Ohioans."

"While the proposed 'opt-out' trigger is a well-intentioned safeguard to retract Medicaid's expansion if the federal government reduces its funding share, I am concerned whether such a safeguard would be honored in the future, because history has shown that once a government benefit is given it is rarely taken away," the treasurer said.

Gov. Kasich argued in proposing the expansion - an act that ran counter to many of his GOP counterparts in other states - that it would positively impact Ohio's "job-friendly climate," insurance premiums, hospitals and the mental health safety net.

Gov. Kasich has also pointed to the proposal's expected "recapturing" of $13 billion in federal tax dollars over seven years that could be invested in health care initiatives.

Even though 230,000 Ohioans who are already eligible for Medicaid are expected to join with no additional federal financing, the state's share of Medicaid expenses is expected to decrease by $23 million and $68 million during FY 2014 and FY 2015, respectively, because of savings from those who leave the program and the federal government's coverage of newly eligible individuals.

While GOP lawmakers have privately expressed reservations with the governor's plan and Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) has predicted it could be a hard sell for his caucus, a broad coalition of supporters, including some conservative-minded groups such as Ohio Right to Life, has coalesced around the budget bill (HB 59 ) proposal.

http://www.gongwer-oh.com/programming/news.cfm?article_ID=820290202

 

February 11

Billions in federal Medicaid funds will go to Ohio families and health-care providers

Published: Fri, February 8, 2013 @ 12:00 a.m.

Vindicator

There will be considerable de- bate over various elements of Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s budget, but one part of it makes such perfect sense that it ought to sail through the General Assembly. That’s Kasich’s proposal to expand Medicaid coverage in the state under the Affordable Care Act.

Kasich becomes one of five Republican governors to recognize the wisdom of expanding Medicaid, but the fact that he’s one of only five shows what a divisive partisan issue Medicaid and the ACA have become. Then, too, there’s a statement to reporters by House Speaker William Batchelder that the idea poses philosophical questions for lawmakers who oppose the ACA’s mandate that almost everyone have health insurance.

But other opponents of the ACA have pointed out, everybody in America already has health care — all they have to do is go to the emergency room. And while that may be at least partially true, the problem is that hospitals, doctors and subcontractors who provide emergency services eventually pass along most of their losses to their paying customers.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/feb/08/billions-in-federal-medicaid-funds-will-/

 

 

Hannah Report 2/8/11

Meet the Freshmen: Mike Curtin

Quick Bio
Age: 61
Party: Democrat
Occupation: Legislator, retired from the Columbus Dispatch
Education: B.A. in Journalism, Ohio State University
Path to General Assembly: Won election to the 17^th House District, a new district created by the Ohio Apportionment Board in Franklin County
Personal: Married, two children
Website: www.mikecurtin.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FriendsofMikeCurtin

Curtin said he hopes House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) will change his mind about wanting redistricting and reapportionment reform to go through the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission, “because it looks to me that it’s a recipe for putting it in the freezer and letting it cool for a while.” He said all the data and debate on the issue is out there, and the only remaining sticking points are about whether it includes a sentence or two on competitiveness, the trigger date, and a tie-breaker mechanism.

He said he would not like to see reform wait until 2020, but said he is a pragmatist and is for getting whatever brings reform.

Overall, he said he will see his legislating style as “slow and methodical,” and said he doesn’t see himself sponsoring many bills. Using a sports analogy, he said he’s going let the game come to him. He said he plans to pour his efforts into helping his district, which he said has many challenges, including a need for jobs, improved public safety, and solutions to a high number of abandoned houses from foreclosures. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191910

 

 

Hannah Report 2/7/13

CCS Releases Third Edition of Follow the Money

The Center for Community Solutions (CCS) recently released the third edition of Richard Sheridan's Follow the Money: State Budgeting in Ohio -- this version edited and updated by Terry Thomas.

Since 2000, when the book was first published, it has been a source of information about all things related to Ohio's budget including political considerations during budget deliberations to the interaction between state, federal and local budgets.

Specifically, topics covered include the following:

- History of state budgeting in Ohio.
- Ohio's budgeting practices.
- Revenue sources and tax structure.
- Executive budget development.
- Program and budget analysis.
- Politics of budgeting.
- Implementation of the budget.
- Capital improvements budget.
- Possible budget reforms.

House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) calls the book "a dependable resource for understanding how principles become policies."

Sheridan, who died in 2009, served as the state's first Legislative Budget Officer, moving on to teach, work for the auditor of state and then consult with CCS. Thomas, too, has an extensive history in the state, having worked as an analyst for the Legislative Service Commission; president of the State Controlling Board; stints at the departments of development and job and family services and Board of Regents; and founding executive director of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.
http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191895

February 5

Updated: 4:43 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 | Posted: 4:42 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2013

Ohio GOP governor backs federal Medicaid expansion

By ANN SANNER

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Ohio's Republican governor announced Monday he will push for expanding Medicaid under the federal health care law, a move that would give many more poor people access to government care.

It also sets up a potential fight among the governor and Republicans who control the state Legislature and are strongly against President Barack Obama's health care law.

The state anticipates more than 365,000 Ohioans will be eligible for coverage beginning in 2014 by expanding Medicaid, the health program for the poor that already provides care for one of every five residents in the state.

A broad group of Ohio's doctors, hospitals and health providers back the idea, as does the Ohio AARP.

Gov. John Kasich, who last summer called the federal health overhaul a "massive new tax on the middle class," proposed the Medicaid expansion in his two-year budget plan released Monday. He now must persuade Republican state lawmakers to back the plan despite the fact that many dislike the law's mandated coverage and campaigned against it just a few months ago.

Kasich reiterated his opposition to what he called "Obamacare," saying "I don't believe in the individual mandate."

"But I think that this makes great sense for the state of Ohio," he added.

If Ohio doesn't extend Medicaid, his administration said, federal tax dollars will be used to expand health coverage in other states and give businesses elsewhere a competitive advantage by creating a healthier workforce.

The leader of the Ohio House has said his fellow Republicans have concerns about the expense of expanding Medicaid. House Speaker William Batchelder told reporters the idea also poses philosophical questions for lawmakers who oppose the law's mandate that almost everyone obtain health insurance.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/legislative/ohio-gop-governor-backs-federal-medicaid-expansion/nWFcg/

 

 

 

IN-DEPTH: Kasich unveils budget plan for Ohio

Lower income. Sales taxes. Tax services

Feb 5, 2013 |

 

Written by

Paul E. Kostyu

COLUMBUS — Ohio’s governor wants to spend more money, but cut tax rates significantly over the next two years in a budget called “Jobs 2.0” he released Monday.

GOP-run legislature makes next moves

The budget proposal now goes to the Legislature, where it will be dissected first in the House and then in the Senate. The two chambers must approve the budget and Kasich sign it before June 30, the end of the 2013 fiscal year.

Legislative leaders were briefed on the budget Monday morning. House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, attended the more than 90-minute briefing of the budget by Kasich, Budget Director Timothy S. Keen and other members of the administration.

Batchelder didn’t comment, but he nodded his head in agreement throughout the news conference. House Minority Leader Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, in a statement praised the governor’s proposed expansion of Medicaid.

Kasich took pains to reiterate his strong opposition to President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, but he also complimented the Obama administration for reaching out to Ohio to discuss how the state can best move forward with the Medicaid expansion.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130204/NEWS010801/302040149/Kasich-Lower-income-sales-taxes-tax-services

 

 

IN-DEPTH: Ohio to seek expansion of Medicaid coverage

Kasich must now persuade his own party to embrace one Obamacare option

Feb 5, 2013

 

Written by

Lisa Bernard-Kuhn

Countless health care groups and non-profits applauded Gov. John Kasich’s decision Monday to expand Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands low-income Ohioans under his proposed two-year state budget.

The move positions Ohio among a growing contingent of Republican-led states that are leaning toward extending coverage, an option given to states under the federal Affordable Care Act, the law dubbed Obamacare and opposed by most GOP officials.

The proposal will now be up to Ohio’s legislature to decide. That means Kasich will have to get to work converting members of his own party in order to bring $13 billion in federal funds to the state and extend coverage to at least 275,000 additional low-income Ohioans.

“I am not a supporter of Obamacare,” Kasich said Monday, “but I think (Medicaid expansion) makes great sense for the state because it will allow us to deliver care using our dollars for people who, up until now, haven’t been able to afford (healthcare insurance) through their job, or they were not able to find a job.”

About 2.2 million Ohioans currently have Medicaid coverage.

Kasich estimated that at least 275,000 more Ohioans would be eligible under the expanded program. But other estimates show as many as 600,000 Ohioans could be eligible.

Another 300,000 Ohioans are expected to fall into a category officials call the “woodwork effect”: People who are currently eligible but not enrolled and expected to sign up in the coming years. The federal government would not be on the hook for covering the costs those individuals, officials have said.

In Hamilton County, at least 38,000 adults would meet the new income guidelines. Among them is Dennis Gaitskill of Over-the-Rhine. The 53-year-old is a resident of the Jimmy Heath House, a facility operated in part by Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services. The non-profit serves local residents battling alcohol addiction and homelessness.

In two years Gaitskill has lived at the house, he says the facility has helped coordinate his medical care and is helping him find a job. But without Medicaid, or an employer to help cover his health insurance costs, he’s had to lean on local clinics in lieu of a primary care doctor. He often goes without some pricier prescriptions. He also has to wait months for test results that would otherwise take a just days to get back from a primary physician.

“Now, I just get lost in the system,” he said.

Under the expanded program, 80 percent of Jimmy Heath’s 80 clients would be eligible for Medicaid.

“It’s going to be huge for our folks,” said Gregg Pieples, program director at Jimmy Heath. “At least 18 percent of them have a cancer diagnosis. As it stands now, many are still going to the emergency room to get care.”

The expanded program “deserves thoughtful consideration by the legislature,” said House Speaker William G. Batchelder, R-Medina, who has opposed the Affordable Care Act.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130204/NEWS/302040156/Ohio-seek-expansion-Medicaid-coverage