From the Statehouse 2008 No. 10
by Jennifer Garrison
Apr. 10, 2008
From the Statehouse: March 28, 2008
Dollars, buildings, books, and nurses have been the focus of attention recently in the Ohio House of Representatives. We have passed a number of bills lately that will impact our daily lives in these areas.
I want Ohio’s colleges and universities to remain at the forefront of technology and research worldwide, so I supported House Bill 381, which passed by an overwhelming majority. This bill shifts $28 million into the Ohio Research Scholars Program, bringing their total funding to $150 million over a two year period. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Every two years the Ohio General Assembly approves money for capital (bricks and mortar) projects, but it frequently takes more than two years to complete the work. The Ohio House has approved, with my “yes” vote, House Bill 496 to reauthorize $5.9 billion for uncompleted local and state projects. This will allow the work to continue.
Additionally, there is also some new money; the Public Works Commission will receive $144.5 million to support needed roads, bridges, sewer and water projects throughout the state. The bill passed 92-1, then cleared the Senate quickly, and was signed into law by the Governor on March 21st.
Public libraries are also getting attention at the Statehouse. Senate Bill 185 modifies names of positions within the library system, and it allows fiscal officers to offer direct deposits for library employee pay. This bill also reduces the time period for required advertising of library improvements exceeding $25,000, while placing restrictions on most private library associations from joining in the proceeds of the county public library fund.
Additionally, S.B. 185 will make the Ohio Public Library Information Network permanent. OPLIN’s mission is to ensure that all Ohio residents have fast, free public Internet access throughout the state, as well as the use of high quality research databases not freely available on the World Wide Web, through public libraries. The bill, after passing including my “yes” vote, was signed into law by the Governor last week.
Substitute Senate Bill 225 brings Ohio law on architects up to date. It changes the name of the state’s governing board from “Board of Examiners of Architects” to “Architects Board.” It also allows the owners of an architecture firm to be registered as design professionals in any state, not just Ohio. Additionally, it modifies the criteria for an architect to maintain their certificate of qualification.
S.B. 225 passed unanimously, including my “yes” vote. Governor Strickland also signed this bill into law on March 21st.
Finally, Substitute House Bill 346 requires each hospital in Ohio to create and maintain a nursing services staffing plan that guides the assignment of nurses hospital-wide. While the Ohio Hospital Association says most of its members already have this type of plan, the bill assures that this will be the case in all facilities, and that committees have the same structure statewide. The plans would cover all types of nurses who are involved in direct patient care.
With the rising costs of healthcare, steps to improve efficiency at Ohio’s hospitals are a priority of mine and the Ohio House of Representatives.
H.B. 346 passed. I voted “yes”. It now goes to the Senate.
You can reach Jennifer Garrison at her Columbus office at (614) 644-8728 or in the district at 373-2414 or by e-mail at jennifer@jennifergarrison.com. Her Web site is Riffe Center | 77 South High Street | Columbus Ohio 43215-6111 | (800) 282-0253 | District93@ohr.state.oh.us
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