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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > March > 03
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Turner wants a commission to study foreclosure crisis
U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Centerville, has introduced a measure seeking to create a congressional commission to study the root causes of the nation’s foreclosure and mortgage lending crisis.
He tried to have the amendment attached last week to a bill that would allow bankruptcy judges to modify loans on primary residences, but will likely push the bill as a standalone measure this week.
His proposal would create a bipartisan commission of 10 members, including two co-chairmen, that would study the current legal and regulatory framework governing housing mortgage lending markets.
The commission would also study how the current framework contributed to the boom in foreclosures. The commission would also craft recommendations aimed at preventing future crises.
The commission, he said, would “lead to real bipartisan work and solutions for working American families.”
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State Senate says good-bye to Tom Roberts
The Ohio Senate on Tuesday, March 3, bid Democrat Tom Roberts of Dayton a fond, bipartisan farewell.
Roberts resigned to take a position on the Ohio Civil Rights Commission. Members of his family were in the Senate chambers for the tributes.
“He’s just a person who conducted himself with a lot of class, a lot of integrity,” said Sen. John Carey, R-Wellston, Finance Committee chairman.
Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina, said he and Roberts each represented part of Darke County and often attended events together.
“Tom has always commanded respect,” said Faber.
Sen. Ray Miller, D-Columbus, like Roberts a protege of the late state Rep. C.J. McLin of Dayton, said Roberts was “as solid as a rock.”
“He’s a doer, not just a talker,” said Miller. “He gets the job done.”
Roberts appeared touched by the tributes.
“I will miss this place,” said Roberts, who served more than 20 years in the legislature. “I will miss both sides of the aisle.”
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House, Senate differ on tax credits for movie-making
The House and Senate both want to lure movie-makers to Ohio but they’re millions of dollars apart when it comes to the tax credits needed to do the luring.
The Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday, March 3, passed House Bill 6, which would provide up to $20 million in refundable credits over two years, with a limit of $5 million per production. If the amount of a refundable credit reduces the taxpayer’s liability to less than zero, the taxpayer gets a refund for the difference.
Also Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Senate approved Senate Bill 9, patterned after a bill Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland vetoed last year. Their plan would provide up to $100 million in nonrefundable, transferable tax credits per year, with a limit of $25 million per production. A transferable credit may be bought, sold or traded between taxpayers.
Strickland supports the House version, said Amanda Wurst, his spokeswoman.
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Vets’ bonus plan approved for Nov. 3 ballot
Ohio voters on Nov. 3 will decide whether veterans of the Persian Gulf War and continued fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan should receive cash bonuses from the state, as veterans of other wars did.
The House voted 92-3 on Tuesday, March 3, to put the issue on the ballot. The Senate already had approved the ballot plan in February. Gov. Ted Strickland’s signature is not required, but Strickland supports the plan.
Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, cast one of the “no” votes.
“I”m opposed to the irresponsible fiscal side of it,” said Adams. The proposal calls for borrowing money to pay for the bonuses by issuing bonds. Strickland last year vetoed a bonus plan that called for using cash from the “rainy day” fund to pay for the bonuses. Bonuses after previous wars have been financed by bonds.
The proposal would provide $100 a month - up to a maximum of $1,000 - for veterans who served in the conflicts and bonuses of $50 a month - up to a maximum of $500 - for veterans who served elsewhere during the conflicts.
Also, family members of those killed in action would receive $5,000.
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Concealed weapons more popular in Ohio
County sheriffs issued 53.2 percent more concealed weapons permits in 2008 than they did in 2007, according to an annual report released by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray this week.
Last year, 33,864 permits were issued, compared with 22,103 in 2007 and 18,781 in 2006.
Ohio began allowing adults who pass a background check and required training to carry concealed weapons in April 2004. Since then, 142,732 CCW permits have been issued statewide.
Ohio also honors permits issued in 18 other states.
