State

Electric Re structuring

Governor Ted Strickland initiated legislation to restructure Ohio’s electric utility rating protocols, ensure long-term price stability for farmers and other consumers and boost the use of renewable fuels. Ohio Farm Bureau was the first major statewide association to endorse the plan, given its strong pro-consumer provisions. OFBF believes that state involvement through PUCO ratemaking ensures consumers protection against price spikes and unreliable service.

Challenges to the Livestock Industry

CAFO regulations, transfer of NPDES permitting from Ohio EPA to ODA, rBST controversy and other livestock issues are under close review by the Farm Bureau. Animal rights issues as related to livestock care and facility operations are also under a close watch.

Great Lakes Compact

The Ohio Farm Bureau believes that protecting against the diversion of water from the Great Lakes, and major tributaries is necessary in planning for long-term water use. OFBF delegates voiced support for the Compact with the provision that Ohio and each state retains ultimate legislative authority over its own water supply. Language ensuring that our water and groundwater are not taken in “public trust” is being passed on the ballot for the November 2008 election.

ATV trespassing issues

Trespassing onto farms and significantly damaging crops has become a common phenomenon associated with riders of all terrain vehicles in Ohio. OFBF and others have been working with the General Assembly to more closely regulate ATV riding, especially in rural and some suburban areas where riders are hard to identify. OFBF would like to see a bill that will give farmers and law enforcement more tools to prevent trespassing and crop damage.

Higher Education Reform

Governor Strickland has charged his Board of Regents Chancellor with devising a reform plan to consolidate duplicative higher education programs, while ensuring that tuition remains affordable for more Ohioans.  In 2008, the Governor also proposed allowing high school seniors to attend four-year colleges/universities, and he outlined a goal of ensuring four-year institutions to be within driving distance of most Ohioans.

Clean Ohio Re-authorization

Governor Ted Strickland along with House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris announced a bipartisan $1.57 billion jobs stimulus. Part of the package includes reauthorization of the Clean Ohio program initiated by voters in 2000.  The $400 million bond program would be ongoing, meaning it would allow $100 million per year to be used for these programs into perpetuity to advance efforts to reclaim brownfields and other damaged lands and preserve farm land and open spaces.

Capital Bill/Budget Correction bill

By the end of 2008, legislators are expected to approve a capital appropriations bill, as well as a budget corrections bill to complete their fiscal management efforts for the 127th General Assembly. Budget corrections could include changes to the state’s 26 agency budgets, as well as new programs.

Conservancy Districts

The Muskingum Water Conservation District is a sprawling multi-county district which recently imposed an assessment on each property owner within its jurisdiction to fund various dam, stream and other improvements. Residents within the District strongly objected to the new fee since it was imposed by a small panel of unelected officials. OFBF has worked with the legislature to restructure the District’s governance and assessment methods to ensure farmers and other property owners can avoid rate hikes.

Line Fence Law

The current Ohio Fence was written over 100-years-ago.  Over the decades, case law has emerged which is unevenly enforced across Ohio. OFBF is working on legislation that codifies the prevailing case law on fence jurisdiction, creates a dispute resolution mechanism to resolve neighbor disagreements and apportions costs of new fences based on usage.

Non-Maintained Road Status

OFBF is concerned with resolving issues of responsibility with regard to reinstating roads on “non-maintained status.” Neither townships, counties nor farmers have the resources to bring idle roads up to grade, but specifying how they must be financed and reinstated in an equitable way is the goal of OFBF is working to achieve.

Wildlife

Recent announcements by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has encouraged farmers, motorists, insurers and others tired of the never-ending over-population of white tailed deer in Ohio. ODNR, working with OFBF and other groups, has proposed new regulations to help lower deer population. Interrelated issues such as increasing hunter access to farms, establishing a statewide network of food banks to process deer, and holding a statewide summit on reducing the population, are some of the more salient features of the DNR proposal.

High Speed Internet

OFBF has been in close contact with the Strickland administration, cable industry and others to expand Ohio’s high speed internet access network to all rural parts of the state. Funding in the 2008-09 biennial budget will help jumpstart a statewide network.

Transportation (Biofuels and Infrastructure)

Gov. Strickland and the Ohio General Assembly allotted $4.5 million over the next two years to boost Ohio’s use of biofuels such as ethanol and soy biodiesel. In addition, $100 million will be directed to bioproducts that use renewable sources instead of petroleum such as bio-polymers, bio-adhesives, etc. made from corn and soybeans.  The State’s Transportation Task Force concluded its work in late 2007, and made a series of recommendations to the General Assembly about improving the infrastructure and efficiency of Ohio’s transportation system. OFBF served on the panel, and presented strong suggestions for transportation improvements in rural Ohio.