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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > October > 06
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Ways to keep the heat on this winter
Consumer advocates are reminding Ohioans of ways to keep their utility services going through the upcoming winter.
One in 10 Ohio households were faced with gas or electric shut-offs in the past year because of unpaid utility bills — a trend the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel expects to continue.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio issued a winter reconnection order that says any consumer facing electric or gas shut off can get service restored or maintained for an amount not to exceed $175, including any security deposit, and a reconnection fee of not more than $36. Consumers can use this option once between Oct. 19 and April 15.
For low-income households may be eligible for Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program grnats to pay the $175 charge.
Other assistance programs include: Percentage of Income Payment Plan, Budget Billing, and payment plans. PIPP is a state-run program where low-income customers pay a percentage of their monthly income for electric and natural gas service.
Utility companies administer budget billing plans that allow customers to spread their costs over 12 months. And customers may also propose payment arrangements with their utility companies and if the company finds the deal unacceptable, they have to offer a “one-third” winter payment plan where customers are billed one-third of the total monthly bill or a one-sixth plan where customers pay one-sixth of the past due along with current charges.
For additional information about these options, customers can visit Ohio Consumers’ Counsel web site, www.pickocc.org or call (877)742-5622.
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Ohioans worried about partisan debates, poll shows
Ohioans are increasingly worried about how bureaucratic decisions on health care, public education and government policies will impact the quality of life for their families, according to a new poll sponsored by Ohio Right to Life released Tuesday, Oct. 6.
“Ohioans are feeling a certain level of anxiety with the big issue political debates occurring in Congress and at the Statehouse,” said Ohio Right to Life Executive Director Mike Gonidakis. “Whether the topic is national health care or public school curriculums, many Ohioans aren’t yet sure what the final result will mean for their families.”
The survey was the second installment of the Ohio Cultural Index, which tries to measure Ohioans’ attitudes toward abortion, traditional family values, and faith in God.
The poll found 73 percent of Ohioans strongly believe in God, 52 percent oppose abortion, 58 percent believe public schools undermine values taught at home, and 47 percent believe entertainment negatively impacts families.
It also found that Ohioans are concerned about the availability of health care for very sick or elderly patients. Forty-one percent of respondents believe that such patients are denied treatment based on cost factors, up from 25 percent saying so three months ago.
The poll was conducted Sept. 23-26 by Wenzel Strategies, which is founded by Fritz Wenzel, a former political reporter for The Toledo Blade. The poll, conducted by an automated telephone system, questioned 936 registered voters statewide and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
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More candidates events planned for Kettering, Huber Heights, Harrison Twp., Springboro and Franklin
As the November election heats up, groups are organizing more candidate nights. Here are some new ones. Find out about others here. If you know of any other election events, email Anthony Shoemaker at ashoemaker@daytondailynews.com
Kettering School Board candidates Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church corner of East Stroop and Ackerman, Kettering. Hosted by League of Women Voters.
Kettering City Council candidates Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church corner of East Stroop and Ackerman, Kettering. Hosted by League of Women Voters.
Huber Heights Huber Heights residents can meet their candidates on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6:30 at the Huber Heights Senior Center at 6428 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights. Candidates running for city and school positions have been invited. For more information please contact Art Couturier, Vice President at 233-2279.
Franklin-Springboro Library Two information sessions will be held next week for the public to learn more about the proposed levy for the Franklin-Springboro Public Library.
Library Director Anita Carroll said she will present information and answer questions on the library’s budget and 1-mill, five-year levy proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot. The meetings are set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Springboro library, 125 Park Lane, and at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Franklin library, 44 E. Fourth St. The levy would cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $46 a year, officials said. “It is important that the people of Franklin, Springboro, Carlisle and the surrounding areas know exactly the financial situation that their libraries are in,” Carroll said.
“Because of the severe cuts from the state of Ohio and predictions of even more reduction in funding, the people should know the steps that the library board has taken and what is predicted for the coming years,” Carroll said.
Carroll said the library system is asking for a levy for the first time due to reductions in funding from the state. State money the libraries receive has decreased from about $1.44 in 2000 to a projected $1.04 million this year. It is currently estimated that next year’s funding would amount to $913,582.
To deal with the cuts, the library has stopped purchasing new books or other materials, reduced its programs - including those for children — by two-thirds, eliminated four full-time library positions and reduced hours at both library buildings.
Reservations for the community meetings are not required. Those with questions about the levy or the meetings can call (937) 746-2665.
Harrison Twp. There will be a forum for Harrison Twp. trustee candidates on Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at Shiloh Church, UCC located at 5300 Phildadelphia Drive (corner of N. Main Street and Philadelphia Drive.
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Casino revenue estimate on target - if slots flop
Backers of the four-casino plan on the Nov. 3 ballot are on target with their estimate of revenue from the gambling plan with one big condition - slots have to flop. The casino plan is Issue 3 on the ballot.
A state analysis - prepared by the Office of Budget and Management and Department of Taxation - found that the casinos would produce $643 million in taxes annually, just slightly less than the $651 million projection from the Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan, the group backing the casinos.
The state estimate, released on Monday, Oct. 5, drops to $470 million a year, however, if the plan to put video lottery terminals at Ohio’s seven racetracks was up and running. That plan, which was part of the the state budget, now has been shelved by Gov. Ted Strickland because the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that it is subject to a referendum in November 2010.
The casino plan allocates 90 percent of the taxes to local governments and school districts and 10 percent to specific state programs.
