Mike Dovilla, Ohio House

[date]

Mike Dovilla, Ohio House, [email protected] Tom Patton, Ohio Senate, [email protected]

Dear Senator Patton and Representative Dovilla:

I was extremely disappointed to see that Governor Kasich vetoed budget bill provisions that would have held school districts like Strongsville harmless for the state phasing out of Tangible Personal Property [TPP] funding. We watched the budget process and appreciate the House and Senate’s support for a hold harmless clause. We appreciated the stakeholders from Strongsville and other affected districts who took the time to testify before the Legislature and the methodical approach of the Conference Committee deliberations.

We need your help to find a solution that does not create winners and losers in the funding process. In a time when educational funding is increasing, it is not right that the state’s funding approach harms districts like Strongsville. The governor’s line-item veto is a direct contradiction to the need acknowledged by you and your colleagues in the General Assembly. We ask you to find a long-term solution to address the drastic cuts communities like Strongsville face in the most recent budget process. This cannot wait.

As I am sure you are aware, Strongsville will lose nearly $2.8 million - $522 per student - over the next two years. In year three, we will lose an addition $800 thousand for total loss of $3.6 million per year. To make matters worse, these decisions were made in a time when the “rainy day” fund now tops $2 billion. The idea that “high capacity” communities should pay more because they can is a dangerous path and is basically shifting a statewide tax burden down to the local taxpayer.

Since tax reform eliminating the TPP tax passed a decade ago, our community and district have watched for a promised solution so that highly impacted communities would not bear the brunt of this business tax break alone. We cannot wait any longer.

Please know that my fellow citizens will continue to partner with our school district, business community and city representatives to engage the General Assembly to find a permanent and fair solution to state school funding that doesn’t penalize districts like Strongsville. We will be watching and are prepared to help in a constructive and meaningful way. This issue is not going away and we urge your leadership to find a solution for our community.

Sincerely,