CAPITOLCREATIVE Ohio Alliance of YMCAs 40 West Long St, Columbus, OH 43215 BRIEFNAME January 2016 www.ohioymcas.org A legislative newsletter for CEOs, CVOs, Staff, and Partners of the Ohio Alliance of YMCAs BOHREN TESTIFIES IN IN THIS ISSUE Bohren Testifies in Support SUPPORT OF HB 334 of HB 334 Interested in Grants, but Need On January 26, Ed Bohren, CEO of the Licking County Family YMCA and Assistance? immediate past chair of the Ohio Alliance, testified in front of the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 334, which would repeal Medical Marijuana On Tap sales tax on YMCA and other nonprofit health memberships. Below is his for Legislature testimony. US Supreme Court Refuses to “Good afternoon Chairman McClain and members of the House Ways and Hear Heartbeat Bill Means Committee. I am Ed Bohren and I am the CEO of the Licking County Family YMCA. I also am the immediate past chair of the Ohio Many Candidates Will Easily Win Alliance of YMCAs. Their Seats The Ohio Alliance of YMCAs is a nonprofit organization that represents the Senate Bill 5 May Become 165 YMCAs throughout Ohio. We are a grassroots driven and governed a Moot Point? organization that advocates and educates on behalf of the YMCAs and their mission. President Obama’s Executive Order on Guns Gets Mixed Review Until the mid-1990s, Ohio YMCAs were tax exempt in all aspects of their in Ohio mission work. Then, the legislature imposed sales tax on memberships, making Ohio only one of five states that tax nonprofit fitness Dewine Loses ACA Lawsuit memberships. Ohio YMCAs ask to return to full tax exempt status, as they should be as ENJOY THIS ISSUE? 501(c)(3)s. Taxing memberships is unjust and runs contrary to our organizations’ charitable nonprofit purpose. Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who you think may A YMCA should not have to tax a member, such as a youth that comes find it useful. after school to a safe place to participate in healthy activities. Activities such as swimming, basketball, or playing chess in a teen room. Or a QUESTIONS, senior citizen who comes to the Y to participate in activities that help COMMENTS, IDEAS? them stay healthy, active, and social. Contact Beth Tsvetkoff at YMCAs are charitable, nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that are [email protected]. dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Every day we take on challenges that will shape our communities’ futures Also follow Beth on Twitter at - challenges like the academic achievement gap, chronic disease, and www.twitter.com/BethTsvetkoff, social isolation. or at www.ohioymcas.org. Continues next page 1 Continued from front page MEDICAL Together with our members, volunteers, and community partners, we MARIJUANA make our communities stronger by: ON TAP FOR Driving academic achievement and inspiring kids to reach their greatest potential. LEGISLATURE Tackling our community’s greatest health challenges and improving quality of life. Groups representing medical, law Ensuring access and inclusion so that everyone has a chance to enforcement, business, and other succeed and belong. interests will consider medical marijuana in the coming weeks as Like nonprofit hospitals, YMCAs provide immense community benefit. In part of a House task force that 2014: also involves key backers of the failed Issue 3 marijuana YMCAs contributed over $23 million in financial assistance to those legalization campaign. The who could not otherwise afford a membership. Senate is expected to announce a Over 29,000 volunteers donated over $2.8 million worth of time. separate series of forums soon. The Licking County Family YMCA, my YMCA, contributed over $300,000 in financial assistance for memberships and programs to House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger over 1,200 families, adults, and children. (R-Clarksville) announced the 15- member group that will be led by YMCAs are not taxed on other programs and services, such as summer Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton). camp and fitness classes, only memberships. Without a membership, Aside from Schuring and Reps. individuals and families are not able to experience everything that Ys Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) and have to offer. Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City), all other members will come from The dollars YMCAs collect from members and remit for sales tax could be outside the General Assembly. used to provide more financial assistance to those who cannot afford to be a member and participate in programs. Rosenberger said he heard a lot from Ohioans about medical Our programs help in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases marijuana during like diabetes, and obesity. Our Ys help children with special needs and ResponsibleOhio's fall campaign weekend food programs for children during the school year and to pass Issue 3 and legalize the throughout the summer. drug for personal and medical use, an effort voters handily With dramatically increasing healthcare costs, Ohioans need incentives to defeated. After the campaign, get healthy and stay healthy. Let us be that incentive. With your support Rosenberger said, key we can continue to do what we do best - change lives and continue to be ResponsibleOhio financier and a positive impact on our communities. We are so much more than a backer Jimmy Gould reached out fitness center or a gym. We are a truly a cause. to him to discuss it. Thank you for your time and consideration. I am happy to answer any "Jimmy and myself had a very questions.” good conversation two or three months ago … and it quickly came to a head to say, I think we need INTERESTED IN GRANTS, BUT to have a longer conversation about it, but I don't want it to NEED ASSISTANCE? look like it's something to slow the process," Rosenberger said. The Ohio Alliance of YMCAs Foundation continues to offer grant research, writing, and administration services for those YMCAs who may be "I had a long conversation with interested in seeking new or continued grant funding. These services can the speaker and with Kirk, and we range from developing and writing grant proposals and submitting came away with what we think proposals and budgets to administering a grant a Y receives. If you are was the best thing for Ohio," interested in learning more, or would like an estimate for a particular Gould said. project, please email Jessica Mathews at [email protected]. Continues on page 3 2 Continued from page 2 US SUPREME COURT REFUSES TO Gould and fellow task force HEAR HEARTBEAT CASE member Chris Stock, an attorney who was involved with Issue 3, The U.S. Supreme Court this month chose not to review a North Dakota both said they're no longer law banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, allowing a involved in ResponsibleOhio. lower court's ruling striking down the measure to stand. While they said they weren't part of the decision, they also The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth District blocked the law, which disclosed the withdrawal of the prohibits abortion at around six weeks after conception, in July 2015. The "Fresh Start Act," an initiated court cited U.S. Supreme Court precedent in Roe v. Wade and Planned statute recently sent to Parenthood v. Casey in striking down the law, but added "good reasons lawmakers to allow expungement exist for the Court to reevaluate its jurisprudence." of marijuana-related convictions. Gould said it's no longer relevant The Ohio House passed "heartbeat bill" HB 69 (Hagan-Hood) 55-40 last since it was predicated on Issue March, but the bill has yet to receive a hearing in the Senate Health and 3's passage. Human Services Committee. The lack of a hearing has prompted protests by anti-abortion activists at the homes of Sen. Shannon Jones (R- Aside from Gould, Stock, and the Springboro) and Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina). three legislators, task force members include Nick Lashutka, "Conceptually, I’m for the concepts behind the heartbeat bill, I always representing the Ohio Children's have been, but I just don’t think it’s the right political or legal strategy," Hospital Association; Muskingum Faber said in a statement. "I think there is danger of unsettling or frankly County Sheriff Matt Lutz; Lora harming babies with the bill because of the consequences of that being Miller, representing the Ohio overturned." Council of Retail Merchants; Larry Moliterno, representing the Ohio "We have consistently shared the concern of National Right to Life that Alliance of Recovery Providers; the U.S. Supreme Court has shown no willingness to overturn Roe, and former Attorney General Betty this bill would not only cost Ohio taxpayers excessive legal fees, but could Montgomery; vascular surgeon provide a path to undo the good work already done to protect life," said Dr. Brian Santin, representing the John Fortney, press secretary for the Senate Majority Caucus. Ohio State Medical Association; Bill Sopko, chairman of the Ohio Rep. Ron Hood (R-Ashville), a sponsor of HB 69, said, "According to our Manufacturers' Association board; Ohio experts, we believe that the Ohio heartbeat bill language is stronger Linda Hondros, representing the and will be more viable in the courts. By eventually passing the heartbeat Ohio Chamber of Commerce; bill in Ohio and having it become law, and by having the Sixth District former Rep. Matt Szollosi, Court of Appeals hear the heartbeat bill, we believe that it will put representing Affiliated increased pressure on the Supreme Court to finally hear the heartbeat bill Construction Trades of Ohio; and case. We intend to keep fighting in Ohio to protect the unborn and will Gary Wolske, vice president of not give up until we are successful.