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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2011 > February > 15
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Combs votes on tax relief legislation
COLUMBUS — Ohio Rep. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton, on Tuesday voted in support of House Bill 58 which proponents said can save taxpayers about $48.5 million over the next three fiscal years.
The legislation passed the Ohio House of Representatives 89-7. It now moves on to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
According to Combs’ office, the legislation incorporates into Ohio law the “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010,” which authorized a two-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts, and was signed into federal law on December 17.
Combs’ office said the purpose of House Bill 58 is to update the state’s tax law, which incorporates with the Internal Revenue Code and other federal laws periodically. All but one of the federal amendments HB 58 would incorporate into the state law relates to exclusions or deductions.
If this is not done, according to Combs’ office, taxpayers would have to add the exclusions and deductions separately beginning in the 2011 tax year. For 2010, taxpayers who applied the adjustments on their federal taxes must add these amounts back to compute Ohio taxes.
“State legislators are working feverishly to find relief for Ohio taxpayers,” Combs said. “In this great time of need it is important to work together and focus on providing the most effective government we can for Ohio.”
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Taxes
TweetPark permits are now fee-free
While MetroParks of Butler County still require a permit to access the parks system, they are free for county residents.
Last week the parks district announced the fee-free park permits for county residents are now available. The fee-free permits are because of the passage of the November levy.
Until March 31, county residents will be permitted to access the parks by simply showing proof of residency — valid driver’s license, state ID or vehicle registration — without a permit. After April 1, all cars will be required to display the annual resident permit, or current vehicle permit.
There are a number of locations for residents 16 and older to obtain a permit:
In Hamilton: MetroPark Administrative Headquarters, 2051 Timberman Road. Call (513) 867-5835. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In Oxford (after Feb. 21): Oxford Parks and Recreation office, 6025 Fairfield Rd. Call (513) 523-6314. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
West Chester Twp. area: Butler County Visitor’s Bureau, 8750 Union Centre Blvd. Call (513) 860-4193. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Liberty Twp. area: Bait Shop at Voice of America Park (after March 12), 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester Twp. Call (513) 755-4402. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. all week, weather permitting.
Fairfield area: Fairfield Community Arts, 411 Wessel Drive. Call (513) 867-5348. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Okeana/Morgan Twp. area: Morgan Twp. Administration Hall (After Feb. 21), 3141 Chapel Rd., Okeana. Call (513) 738-3600. Call Charlotte Lahmann to make an appointment to pick up.
Any entrance booth when staffed at Sebald, Voice of America and Rentschler Forest parks.
If county residents purchased a 2011 permit, they’ll be able to get a refund in “MetroBucks.” Feb. 28 is the last day to file paperwork, however.
“Our goal was to be user-friendly so that no one would have to drive more than 15 minutes to get their free resident permit,” said MetroParks’ spokeswoman Susan Stretch. “We have been working to develop a program that would make it easy for everyone to get out and enjoy their parks.”
Non-residents will still be required to purchase a permit at $10 for an annual hangtag or $5 for a daily permit.
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County, MetroParks
TweetCounty Progressive PAC elects officers
Last week at its annual election meeting, the Butler County Progressive PAC elected its officers.
The organization’s founding president and vice president, Don Daiker and Bill Gracie, respectively, were re-elected to third terms. Pete Carels and Katy Ellison were elected to the organizations secretary and treasurer posts, respectively.
The PAC’s executive board members are: Rick Bailey, Clyde Brown, Eric Carman, Mark Hardig, Laura Kretz, Mary Melvin and Kathy Romano.
“One of our central goals during the next election cycle is the re-election of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown in 2012,” Daiker said. “We are proud of his consistent support of middle-class men and women.”
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Butler County, Progressive PAC
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