Bill would empower residents on traffic control in their neighborhoods

“These people in the neighborhoods know them the best, and their voice should have a heavier factor in traffic decisions,” Retherford said.

While residents have always been able to circulate petitions and voice their concerns about speed limits and stop signs, Retherford said this formalizes the process across the state.

“The hope is that the local authorities would listen (to constituents) when they get calls, but this brings that out to the forefront of the decision-making process,” he said.

House Bill 108, which is jointly sponsored with Rep. Dan Ramos, D-Lorain, is all about “transparency” in broadcasting committee meetings, Retherford said.

“Our House sessions are televised — they are broadcast live and you can go back and review them at any time — so it only makes sense to televise committee meetings,” he said.

The Ohio House already televises the finance committee meetings, but the other committee meetings have information that is only known by those who attend them.

“If we have a committee hearing and vote on it, you can go online and read all the people who gave testimony. However, they don’t list the questions asked or answers given, which is an important part of the process,” Retherford said.

And if there are two committee meetings happening at the same time, lawmakers can review the meeting they miss.

Retherford said there is minimal cost, but even if there wasn’t, “to be even more open and transparent it’s worth it.”

Husted applauds bill to cut fees

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted said the passage of Senate Bill 26 out of the Ohio Senate this week will “send a strong message” to the business community.

“…(We) want to be the best state in the nation to start a new company because more businesses mean more jobs and a better way of life for the people of Ohio,” Husted said.

SB 26, sponsored by Sen. Larry Obhof, R-Medina, proposes to cut new business filing fees by 21 percent.

“Our commitment to improving customer service and doing more with less at the Secretary of State’s Office has led to record business filings and increased revenue, and we want to share this success dividend with our customers by cutting the cost of doing business in Ohio,” Husted said.

“Today’s strong support in the Senate, as well as the commitment the Ohio House has shown by making this issue a priority with House Bill 3, demonstrates what is possible when government operates with greater efficiency and is focused on the people it serves.”

HB 3 was introduced by Rep. Tim Derickson, R-Hanover Twp., and Rep. Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario, that would reduce certain business filing fees charged and collected by the Secretary of State and to specify that Ohio-based companies are to have access to appropriate features of the OhioMeansJobs website. This bill had a third hearing on March 11 in the House Economic and Workforce Development Committee.