From the Statehouse 2007 No. 06
by Jennifer Garrison
Apr. 28, 2007
From the Statehouse - 2007 No. 06
This week the Ohio House voted out Amended House Bill 100 which is the 2 year Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) and Ohio Industrial Commission (OIC) budget bill. Amended House Bill 100 will provide appropriations for programs related to the BWC and OIC beginning July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009.
The bill also reforms Ohio’s scandal plagued workers compensation system. Amended House bill 100 abolishes the Workers’ Compensation Oversight Commission and creates the Workers Compensation Board of Directors. The Board will also have 3 committees; an actuarial committee, an audit committee and an investment committee. The expertise required of the new Board Members will help insure better oversight and decision making.
Further, the bill creates the Office of Deputy Inspector General for the BWC and OIC. The Deputy Inspector General is charged with conducting investigations regarding conduct of the Bureau and Industrial Commission officers and employees. In addition the Deputy Inspector General will investigate allegations of fraud committed by participants in the workers’ compensation system. This bill is a step forward in rebuilding trust and accountability in the BWC.
Ohio’s Bureau of Worker’s Compensation is the largest exclusive state-funded workers’ compensation system in the United States, with more than $19 billion in assets.
In fiscal year 2006, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation provided coverage to more than 288,000 employees and processed more than 188,000 new claims. The changes to the board, the administrator, and creation of a deputy inspector general within the agency will address the past problems of corruption within the agency.
The Ohio House left the Governor’s proposals largely intact. I voted “yes”. The bill passed.
As you read this article, I will be in committee hearings on the budget. House Bill 119, the Governor’s budget bill, has been debated over the past month. This bill outlines the spending priorities of the state over the next 2 years. Friday morning hearings begin on Substitute House Bill 119.
Many of the priorities of Governor Strickland’s budget were left unchanged with some minor tweaking occurring in the substitute bill.
Specifically, one of Governor Strickland’s priorities was to give property tax relief to all senior citizens and disabled homeowners. One in four Ohioans will receive this $25,000 homestead exemption on real property value.
Additionally, the Governor has a real concern for the uninsured children of this state. In this budget over 35,000 additional children are eligible for health insurance through the SCHIP program. We accomplish this by expanding the eligibility for children in families that are between 200% and 300% of federal poverty level. Today SCHIP insures children in families that have income of up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
Finally, the Governor is committed to capping tuition increases at public colleges and universities in the state. The substitute bill changes the format, but accomplishes this goal. The Governor’s House bill 119, calls for 0% increase in 2008 and no more than 3% increase in 2009. Substitute House Bill 119 allows a 3% increase in tuition in 2008 and a 0% increase in 2009.
The Governor’s budget funded early childhood education for 3-4 year olds. The substitute bill applauded this proposal.
The Substitute bill reinstates the Ohio Student Choice Grants. The Choice grants provide $900 per year to Ohio residents with annual family incomes of $95,000 or less who are full-time undergraduate students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Ohio’s private colleges and universities. This provision assists Ohio students that attend Marietta College and Muskingum College.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at 614-644-8728 or in the district at 740-373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her website is www.jennifergarrison.com