State News
Ohio
Ohio Legislature Set to Return:
Both the House and Senate are expected to return to Columbus over the next few weeks to begin their work for the rest of 2017. It has been a busier than expected summer for members, with the House, and then the Senate, returning to override several vetoed budget items. The Senate still have a few pending veto items they may take up when they return, but the brunt of the legislature work and committee hearings are expected to begin after the Labor Day holiday.
The legislature's focus for this fall and the rest of the year is aimed on continuing to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic and focusing on economic improvement and workforce development across the state. Particularly, Senate President Obhof has emphasized he will continue to seek ways to reduce red tape and regulation and has charged each member of his caucus to identify specific regulations that can be eliminated.
MSMA will continue to monitor several bills of interest to our food industry including the various SNAP pieces of legislation pending in the House and Senate, including House Bill 50, which would establish a photo ID requirement for EBT cards. We have been actively a part of discussions on this legislation, working with interested parties and sponsors on all aspects related to implementation and practice. We will also be closely monitoring the recommendations of the Ohio Criminal Justice Recodification Committee, which approved its final language aimed at overhauling Ohio's criminal justice code. In particular, we are concerned with portions of the recommendation that would revise the theft law felony threshold, which we believe would significant harm retailers across the state. We look forward to working with the Legislature on this proposal as it is introduced.
Please send any feedback on current legislation or legislative ideas to Kristin Mullins.
Both the House and Senate are expected to return to Columbus over the next few weeks to begin their work for the rest of 2017. It has been a busier than expected summer for members, with the House, and then the Senate, returning to override several vetoed budget items. The Senate still have a few pending veto items they may take up when they return, but the brunt of the legislature work and committee hearings are expected to begin after the Labor Day holiday.
The legislature's focus for this fall and the rest of the year is aimed on continuing to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic and focusing on economic improvement and workforce development across the state. Particularly, Senate President Obhof has emphasized he will continue to seek ways to reduce red tape and regulation and has charged each member of his caucus to identify specific regulations that can be eliminated.
MSMA will continue to monitor several bills of interest to our food industry including the various SNAP pieces of legislation pending in the House and Senate, including House Bill 50, which would establish a photo ID requirement for EBT cards. We have been actively a part of discussions on this legislation, working with interested parties and sponsors on all aspects related to implementation and practice. We will also be closely monitoring the recommendations of the Ohio Criminal Justice Recodification Committee, which approved its final language aimed at overhauling Ohio's criminal justice code. In particular, we are concerned with portions of the recommendation that would revise the theft law felony threshold, which we believe would significant harm retailers across the state. We look forward to working with the Legislature on this proposal as it is introduced.
Please send any feedback on current legislation or legislative ideas to Kristin Mullins.
Kentucky
Governor Matt Bevin Orders Budget Cuts of 17 Percent:
Facing a projected $200 million budget shortfall, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin ordered cuts of more than 17 percent across most state agencies late last week, while seeking similar reductions from other branches of government not under his control. Kentucky ended the 2017 fiscal year on June 30 with a $138 million shortfall and estimated projections are indicating there will be another shortfall of $200 million for the 2018 fiscal year. The Governor’s plan is to come up with $350 million in cuts to address the $200 million shortfall and put $150 million back into Kentucky’s savings account to protect the state’s credit rating.
AAMP Members Donate Meat Products to Lexington Food Bank:
During the 2017 American Cured Meat Championships (ACMC), held July 20-22, in conjunction with the 78th Annual Convention of Meat Processors and Suppliers’ Exhibition, over 740 pounds of meat was donated to the Salvation Army Lexington by members of conference. AAMP coordinated the donation with Rock and Wrap it Up (RWU), a non-profit organization dedicated to arranging the recovery of leftover food from various events.
Facing a projected $200 million budget shortfall, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin ordered cuts of more than 17 percent across most state agencies late last week, while seeking similar reductions from other branches of government not under his control. Kentucky ended the 2017 fiscal year on June 30 with a $138 million shortfall and estimated projections are indicating there will be another shortfall of $200 million for the 2018 fiscal year. The Governor’s plan is to come up with $350 million in cuts to address the $200 million shortfall and put $150 million back into Kentucky’s savings account to protect the state’s credit rating.
AAMP Members Donate Meat Products to Lexington Food Bank:
During the 2017 American Cured Meat Championships (ACMC), held July 20-22, in conjunction with the 78th Annual Convention of Meat Processors and Suppliers’ Exhibition, over 740 pounds of meat was donated to the Salvation Army Lexington by members of conference. AAMP coordinated the donation with Rock and Wrap it Up (RWU), a non-profit organization dedicated to arranging the recovery of leftover food from various events.
You can check out the Kentucky House and Senate districts by following the links below.
House: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/HH001M01c.pdf
Senate: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/SH001A02c.pdf
House: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/HH001M01c.pdf
Senate: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/SH001A02c.pdf
Tennessee
Tennessee Wraps up Legislative Session by Passing Gas Tax Increase:
With more than 1,400 bills introduced in each chamber this session, the Legislature wrapped up its 2017 business by passing the state’s first gas tax increase in nearly 30 years on May 10. The final pieces of legislation lawmakers addressed ranged from increasing the amount of money legislative candidates could raise during an election cycle to cutting taxes for phone companies.
In particular, Governor Haslam touted the passage of the IMPROVE Act – his effort to increase taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, which was paired with various cuts – as well as his other legislative initiatives, including a proposal to expand the already popular program to provide tuition-free community college to Tennesseans.
With the closure of the Legislative business, all eyes are now focused on the 2018 governor’s race, which is expected to draw an influx of candidates in the near future.
With more than 1,400 bills introduced in each chamber this session, the Legislature wrapped up its 2017 business by passing the state’s first gas tax increase in nearly 30 years on May 10. The final pieces of legislation lawmakers addressed ranged from increasing the amount of money legislative candidates could raise during an election cycle to cutting taxes for phone companies.
In particular, Governor Haslam touted the passage of the IMPROVE Act – his effort to increase taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, which was paired with various cuts – as well as his other legislative initiatives, including a proposal to expand the already popular program to provide tuition-free community college to Tennesseans.
With the closure of the Legislative business, all eyes are now focused on the 2018 governor’s race, which is expected to draw an influx of candidates in the near future.
(State issues are monitored in consultation with the Kentucky Retail Federation, the Tennessee Grocers Association, and FMI)
