Miami Group Legislative Action Committee Members - Call to Action, September 2020 Rich Jordan, Committee Chairperson Email: richard.jordan.oh@gmail.com / PH: (513) 575-9545
Ohio Legislature - Lawyers, Lobbyists & Lawmakers New Legislation, Committee Activity, Pending Bills and Laws Passed Ohio House Bill 242 Prohibits Ohio counties and municipal governments from imposing a fee, tax or other charge on auxiliary containers. Containers as defined in the bill include bags, styrofoam food packaging, bottles, cans and plastic drink cups. HB-242’s original House version was amended by the Ohio Senate, therefore it must now go back to the lower body for a final vote.
The Sierra Club opposes HB 242 ➢ LITTER - Single-use plastic bags are freely distributed across the state, but are not effectively recycled which in part, increases litter in our communities, waterways and natural landscapes. ➢ POLLUTION - Federal EPA studies indicate only 9.5% of plastic dumped into the nation’s solid waste stream is recycled and estimates only 3% of plastic bags are recycled (2014). ➢ RECYCLING - Meanwhile the overseas market for recycled plastic has collapsed, which has resulted in the stockpiling in recycling centers. This is an especially salient concern given that, at current rates, Ohio’s landfill capacity will be reached in 35 to 40 years.
The Sierra Club opposes HB 242 Preemption of local democracy State legislators are stifling democracy by cutting off local governments’ ability to enact laws simply because they do not agree with possible outcomes. They are undermining the intended design and function of Ohio’s government. Ohio’s constitution empowers and assigns to local governments Home Rule authority. Home Rule broadly grants municipal and county governments the authority of self-governance and enforcement in local matters such as zoning, policing and sanitary regulation. HB-242’s enactment would erode Home Rule by limiting local governments’ options for addressing solid waste issues, specifically those associated with single-use carry-out containers.
STOP ENACTMENT OF HB 242 BY PREVENTING A FINAL VOTE May 27, 2020: Ohio Senate passes amended version of HB 242. The amendment inserts language which sunsets it’s provisions after 12 months. HB 242 now goes back to the House of Representatives for a final vote. New Ohio Speaker of the House, Robert Cupp must schedule a vote on the legislation. No vote today. Next full session of House is scheduled for September 15, 2020.
Contact the key players . Members can help preserve community Home Rule and support campaigns to reduce plastic pollution by contacting… Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Ohio Speaker of the House Robert Cupp Riffe Center - 30th Floor 77 South High Street 77 South High Street 13th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6117 Columbus, OH 43215 PH: 1-888-430-7789 PH: 614-466-9624 Email: governor@governor.oh.gov Email: rep04@ohiohouse.gov
Sierra Club Ohio Chapter Political Action Fun d (sierraclub.org/ohio, click on “Ways to Donate”, select “Ohio Political Action Committee”) Your gift will help insure that environmental champions are elected to the statehouse. Contributions to the Ohio chapter’s PAC are used to grow influence at the statehouse. Funding is used for... ● Educating lawmakers about environmental issues and effective policy solutions. Publishing online election guides to promote endorsed candidates. ● ● Hiring Sierra Club college interns to assist on candidate and issues campaigns. Ensuring the Sierra Club continually develops and maintains positive relationships with office holders. ●
Thanks! Contact us: Sierra Club of Ohio Miami Group Legislative Action Committee (LAC) Rich Jordan (LAC Chair) email: richard.jordan.oh@gmail.com PH: (513) 575-9546
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