Public Policy NEWS
120 Million Households to Begin Receiving 2010 Census Advance Letter
Early Notification Increases Awareness That Census Forms Will Arrive SoonThe U.S. Census Bureau today began mailing advance letters to about 120 million addresses nationwide, notifying households that 2010 Census forms will be arriving March 15-17. The one-page letter urges households to complete the 10-question census form when it arrives and to return it in the accompanying prepaid envelope as soon as possible.
“The advance letter helps people know that their 2010 Census form will be arriving soon,” said Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves. “It's an important reminder about the impact the census has on our communities, that the census is important and that everyone needs to participate.”
Read more: 120 Million Households to Begin Receiving 2010 Census Advance Letter
Support Healthy Choices for Children
Senate Bill 210 and House Bill 373 proposes a comprehensive response to Ohio’s childhood obesity problem. One in three children born in Ohio is overweight by the age of eight. The Healthy Choices for Healthy Children legislation (SB 210/HB 373) takes a comprehensive approach to combating childhood obesity by focusing on three key areas: (1) Access to nutritious foods and beverages in school settings; (2) Inclusion of physical activity in the daily school routine; and (3) Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings upon school entry and in the third, fifth and ninth grades. This three-tiered approach will have an immediate and lasting impact on Ohio’s childhood obesity numbers.
For more information about Senate Bill 210 and House Bill 373 visit www.
Election Day is November 3, 2009
LIVE UNITED by voting on November 3.
Be sure to register by October 5, 2009. For more information about voter registration, absentee ballots, identification requirements at voting polls, and a list of issues and candidates contact the Franklin County Board of Elections at 614.462.3100 or visit their website at www.vote.franklincountyohio.gov. The Franklin County Board of Elections is located at 280 East Broad Street, Room 100, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Call Senator Voinovich & Senator Brown Today!
ASK THEM TO OPPOSE EFFORTS TO CAP CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS
As part of efforts to identify funding to pay for health care reform, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee will consider amendments in the next few days that recommend capping the charitable deduction.
We think a cap will hurt our ability to generate the resources necessary to make measurable progress in improving lives in central Ohio through the implementation of strategies in the areas of education, income, health and home.
It is difficult to precisely determine the dollar impact a cap on charitable deductions would have on non-profit organizations; however, many donors itemize their income taxes and utilize this deduction. We are concerned that a cap on charitable deductions would negatively affect the ability of our agency partners to fulfill their own missions and the work we do together.
United Way Endorses City Income Tax
United Way of Central Ohio is endorsing the proposed increase in the City of Columbus income tax (Issue 1). The City of Columbus is an important partner in our efforts to address our community’s most significant needs; however the city’s perilous fiscal state jeopardizes our community’s ability to achieve lasting change in education, income, health and home. Increased revenue will allow Columbus to continue its investment in health and human services and maintain a strong infrastructure that enhances quality of life for its residents and promotes economic development.
This first rate increase in 27 years will prevent substantial layoffs of police and firefighters and restore funding for health and human service providers to 2009 City Council approved levels – both are essential to public safety and quality life in central Ohio.
Issue 1, which goes before voters during a special election on August 4th, asks voters to approve a .5% increase in the city tax rate. The proposed increase from 2 percent to 2.5 percent is expected to generate approximately $97 million a year and nearly fill an anticipated $100 million shortfall in the 2010 budget.
Passage of Issue 1 is part of a three-step plan designed to maintain a high quality of life and neighborhood safety throughout Columbus. The three-step plan includes:
- Creating jobs through economic development and business attraction
- Making government more efficient and accountable
- Asking voters to support a .5% increase in the city tax rate
Advocacy Alert: Safe Child Care
PHONE CALLS NEEDED TODAY: OHIO FAMILIES NEED HIGH QUALITY & SAFE CHILD CARE
A Conference Committee (consisting of three House Representatives and three Senators) has begun the grueling task of reconciling the House and Senate versions of the state budget. Last week the Administration announced revenue shortfalls that will require the Conference Committee to cut an additional $2.3 billion from the Senate version of the budget. All early care and education programs funded by general revenue funds are at risk of major cuts or elimination.
ADVOCACY ALERT: Restore $244 million to Ohio’s Early Care & Education System
House Bill 1 (State Budget for 2010-2011) includes cuts to early care and education totaling $244 million! Proposed cuts include $119 million to public preschool and Ohio’s Early Learning Initiative (early care and education program for low-income working families). These cuts would affectapproximately 8,800 children. In addition, proposed reimbursement changes could impact providers’ ability to accept subsidized child care slots, impacting an estimated 15,000 children. House Bill 1 also includes a $57 million decrease in funding for Ohio’s Help Me Grow program, which provides services to expectant parents, newborns, and infants and toddlers with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities.
The Ohio Senate is now working on its version of the State Budget. Please call your Senator today and urge him to restore $244 million to Ohio’s early care and education system.
Read more: Restore $244 million to Ohio’s Early Care & Education System
Child Care Action Needed
The Ohio House of Representatives has begun to consider the substitute budget bill. Your advocacy is needed ASAP:
The definition of Full Time for child care reimbursement was changed from 35 hours per week to 32.5 – we need to reduce this further!
Over $23 million was cut from Early Childhood Education – this must be restored, the increase in SFY2008-2009 was the first increase this program has seen in nearly 20 years!
The Early Childhood Mental Health program needs $350,000 for Consultation and funding for Treatment - these critical services will save thousands of vulnerable children from years of mental health distress!
Thank you for supporting early child care and education!
Members of the Human Services Subcommittee and the Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee (of the House Finance Committee) heard several testimonies throughout the month regarding the importance of high quality and affordable early care and education. Two overflow rooms were needed to accommodate the dozens of advocates who came to the Statehouse on March 18.
Donned in yellow ribbons and Live United buttons, advocates expressed concerns for budget cuts to the Help Me Grow Program and opposed plans to redefine full-time child care as 35 hours per week. The current definition of full-time child care is 25 hours per week.
Read more: Thank you for supporting early child care and education!
