Check out a recent report done by Channel 7’s Jim Otte in Dayton about the importance of passing land bank legislation. Gene Krebs, Greater Ohio Co-Director, was interviewed in this video. http://www.whiotv.com/video/22038360/index.html
"Shrinking Cities" Roundtable in Dayton
Last week Greater Ohio Policy Center hosted a “Shrinking Cities” Roundtable in Dayton, Ohio. The goal of the meeting was to rethink the roles of federal, state and local governments to collectively address “shrinking cities” challenges, and in particular to inform formulation of emerging federal policies and programs and align them with state policies and local innovations. Participants included a cross section of perspectives from multiple states as well as national experts. During the meeting, participants discussed what constitutes a shrinking city, the central needs and strength of those places, and ideal federal, state, and local policies to address the needs of those distressed cities. More in depth discussion focused on the topics of unique interest to shrinking cities including revitalizing neighborhoods, building on economic assets, addressing land management issues, fostering regional collaboration, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Ken McCall from the Dayton Daily News wrote an interesting article about the meeting entitled, “What can cities like Dayton do to stop shrinking? Organizers look for ideas on how to form federal, state policy to help these cities.” Check it out for his take on the day. And please share your comments here on our blog about the kinds of policies that are needed in order to tackle the challenging issues that Shrinking Cities face. We will integrate your feedback into our resulting policy brief to encourage officials to ensure that as new policies and programs are formulated that they are aligned at the national, state and local level.
Land Bank Bill Passes in the House
Along with stakeholders throughout Ohio, Greater Ohio Policy Center was pleased to see House Bill 313, the bill that would extend county land bank tools to an additional 28 counties in Ohio, pass the Ohio House this week with overwhelming bipartisan support. Co-sponsored by Representatives Peter Ujvagi (D-Toledo) and Roland Winburn (D-Dayton), this bill will allow local governments another powerful tool to use in addressing the aftermath of the foreclosure pandemic that has swept the state along with the growing number of vacant and abandoned properties. The Bill will next got the Ohio Senate, which has already held two hearings on the companion bill Senate Bill 188 cosponsored by Senators Mark Wagoner (R-Toledo) and Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo). Greater Ohio urges you to contact your state senator to encourage for the speedy passage of the county land bank bill in the Senate. It is critical that they hear from you over the coming weeks. With the wide array of issues facing the state, if they do not hear directly from you at the local level, they will assume there is not a pressing need and they will move onto other legislative items. Your calls are needed now.
Land Bank Movement
Yesterday, the House Local Government Committee passed the county land bank bill (HB 313) out of committee on a 10-1 vote. The bill will expand the current county land bank authority to an additional 28 counties and will next go before the full House for a vote. This movement is very positive but we need your help to keep momentum going. If you have influence or know someone that has influence with members of the General Assembly, please contact them about the potential merits of a countywide land bank and how this could help in your community. Telling the local story is something we at Greater Ohio cannot do!
Land Bank Progress
A Land Bank is a useful tool to tackle Ohio’s problem with vacant and abandoned properties. A land bank is set up to hold vacant, abandoned, or tax delinquent properties with the goal of returning these properties back into productive use. House Bill 313 (Sponsored by Representative Ujvagi of Toledo) would take the existing land bank structure and lower the population threshold to allow more counties the option to form a land bank. HB 313 is making progress in the General Assembly. Last week witnesses testified in favor of the land bank legislation in the House and Senate.
Greater Ohio’s Co-Director Lavea Brachman testified in support of the bill in both House and Senate Committees. Brachman said that Ohio “can no longer afford to operate under a series of systems that were designed to address an entirely different reality in the issues of foreclosure, vacancy and abandonment.” She called HB313 the “right fix” for the problem.
Other proponents include Frank Alexander, professor of law at Emory University School of Law; Eric Schertzing, Ingham County treasurer; Aaron Sorrell, housing and neighborhood development manager of Dayton; and Chris Eilerman, special projects coordinator for the city manager’s office in Cincinnati.
Frank Alexander praised the bill as “a model for the country” in terms of land banks and focus on surplus public property, “below water” properties, abandoned properties and tax delinquent properties. He said the goals of the bill are to eliminate blight, maximize short- and long-term revenue, create affordable housing and stabilize neighborhoods.
If you support the Land Bank legislation, please contact your Representative and Senator and let them know!
Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration Cleveland Hearing Tomorrow
The Ohio Commission on Local Government Reform and Collaboration will hold a meeting and public hearing on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:30 am. The meeting will be held in the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium of the Cleveland Public Library located at 325 Superior Avenue NE, Cleveland, OH 44114. Ample parking is available in surface or garages located around the facility. Testimony and input is being requested in three main areas:
1.) Recommendations that will encourage and incentivize local governments to collaborate
2.) Identification of local and state tax structure changes which would encourage collaboration or improve service effectiveness
3.) Identification of current/alternative service delivery models
If you are in the Northeast Ohio region and are concerned with the issue of local government efficiency we strongly encourage you to make the short drive to ensure that your voice is heard. If you cannot attend this meeting you might also consider preparing written testimony.
Greater Ohio, and its partner the Brooking Institution, have identified governance reform as an important issue to be considered as we work to restore prosperity back to Ohio. Governance reform falls within our larger agenda that is charged with increasing Ohio’s economic competitiveness and quality of life by focusing on the four drivers of prosperity in the 21st century economy: innovation; human capital; infrastructure; and quality of place. Again, we ask you to voice your opinion if you feel, as we at Greater Ohio do, that regional collaboration and efficient governance are critical to building a more competitive and prosperous Ohio.
The Local Government Reform Commission is legislatively created and consists of 15 members ranging from local officials to business people. It is charged with researching and writing a report that recommends reform and collaboration measures in order to improve local government operations and service delivery to create cost savings for taxpayers
For more information about the Commission visit its website at www.ohioreformandcollaboration.org.