Langshaw addresses local government fund cuts at Statehouse
Councilman Dan Langshaw appeared before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee to address cuts in funding to local government. Submitted photo
North Royalton Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw returned back to Statehouse in Columbus June 17. This time solo but building off the progress his colleague Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck and himself made from their joint testimony before the Ohio House Finance Committee regarding Substitute House Bill 166 the State Operating Budget back May 6.
This time, Langshaw provided testimony before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee in response to numerous changes by the Senate to the House version of the budget passed last month. He reiterated concerns regarding the state budget and urged for an increase in local government funding.
Since 2011 the Ohio General Assembly has made cuts to the state’s local government fund by slashing it in half from 3.68 percent to the present 1.66 percent; resulting in North Royalton experiencing over $7 million in state funding cuts. According to Policy Matters Ohio, cuts in local government funds and tax changes at the state level between 2011 and 2017 have cost Ohio counties and communities an estimated $1.2 billion.
In his Senate testimony Langshaw pointed out, “It is disappointing that Substitute House Bill 166 that the House passed kicked down the road for another biennium budget to tackle the issue of the Local Government Fund by doing nothing. Again they did nothing to fully make up for the historic cuts that cities like mine have faced for close to a decade to their share of LGF. The state’s rainy day fund is now at a record high of $2.7 billion dollars while the needs of local governments like ours keep pouring down upon us. This issue needs to be addressed now. My own city council recently passed a unanimous resolution reaffirming this position. In my joint testimony before the House Finance Committee last month with my colleague North Royalton Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck we stressed the importance of consistency and predictability with funding because helps us in deciding how to address urgent needs in our communities.”
However progress has been made the in the Senate version of Substitute House Bill 166 they increased the Local Government Fund from 1.66 percent to 1.68 percent in Substitute House Bill 166. Which is a 2% increase for FY 2020 and FY 2021. Langshaw highlighted this progress by saying “Today here in the Senate for the first time in about a decade I am hopeful about the State Operating Budget. Chairman Dolan represents my city for the 24th Ohio Senate District. After I testified last biennium budget before this very committee he made clear to me he would try to improve the LGF and work with local elected officials from Northeast Ohio to be better partners. I want to thank you Mr. Chairman and senators on this committee for increasing the Local Government Fund.”
In the closing remarks, Langshaw still urge the General Assembly to continue to work together with local governments to hopefully someday fully restore the Local Government Fund back to 3.68 percent.
For more information please contact Councilman Dan Langshaw at 440-785-4240 or ward3@northroyalton.org
This time, Langshaw provided testimony before the Ohio Senate Finance Committee in response to numerous changes by the Senate to the House version of the budget passed last month. He reiterated concerns regarding the state budget and urged for an increase in local government funding.
Since 2011 the Ohio General Assembly has made cuts to the state’s local government fund by slashing it in half from 3.68 percent to the present 1.66 percent; resulting in North Royalton experiencing over $7 million in state funding cuts. According to Policy Matters Ohio, cuts in local government funds and tax changes at the state level between 2011 and 2017 have cost Ohio counties and communities an estimated $1.2 billion.
In his Senate testimony Langshaw pointed out, “It is disappointing that Substitute House Bill 166 that the House passed kicked down the road for another biennium budget to tackle the issue of the Local Government Fund by doing nothing. Again they did nothing to fully make up for the historic cuts that cities like mine have faced for close to a decade to their share of LGF. The state’s rainy day fund is now at a record high of $2.7 billion dollars while the needs of local governments like ours keep pouring down upon us. This issue needs to be addressed now. My own city council recently passed a unanimous resolution reaffirming this position. In my joint testimony before the House Finance Committee last month with my colleague North Royalton Ward 4 Councilman Paul Marnecheck we stressed the importance of consistency and predictability with funding because helps us in deciding how to address urgent needs in our communities.”
However progress has been made the in the Senate version of Substitute House Bill 166 they increased the Local Government Fund from 1.66 percent to 1.68 percent in Substitute House Bill 166. Which is a 2% increase for FY 2020 and FY 2021. Langshaw highlighted this progress by saying “Today here in the Senate for the first time in about a decade I am hopeful about the State Operating Budget. Chairman Dolan represents my city for the 24th Ohio Senate District. After I testified last biennium budget before this very committee he made clear to me he would try to improve the LGF and work with local elected officials from Northeast Ohio to be better partners. I want to thank you Mr. Chairman and senators on this committee for increasing the Local Government Fund.”
In the closing remarks, Langshaw still urge the General Assembly to continue to work together with local governments to hopefully someday fully restore the Local Government Fund back to 3.68 percent.
For more information please contact Councilman Dan Langshaw at 440-785-4240 or ward3@northroyalton.org