Mission Possible: Ohio Budget Reform and What's at StakeOhio Society of CPA's budget reform explained to Austintown Rotary Club.
Dan Moore, representing the OSCPA addressed some of the issues facingOhio's strained budget.
Ohio's state budget faces a projected shortfall of up to $8 billion in the coming biennium (2012-2013), not counting budget deficits faced by countless local government entities.
Four key areas were the resulting answers for reform to create a financial road map for Ohio's future:ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€šÂ¬ÃÆ'‚¢ Creating more efficient and streamlined government operations. Consolidate the 5,500 separate state and local entities. These represent a significant cost drain on taxpayers.
* Containing or eliminating costs. Identify nonessential expenditures and conduct performance audits on key programs.* Enact public pension reform. Ohio's public retirement systems provide benefits for 1.5 million individuals. Ohio should explore all options to limit taxpayer exposure while treating employees fairly, yet realistically. Ideals for reform include: banning the practice of Ohio paying 10% employee share of retirement contribution; ban "double dipping" where an employee retires and is rehired in the same job; raise the minimum retirement age - currently as low as 48; investigate a defined contribution plan approach as commonly used in the private sector.
* Implementing long-range strategic financial planning which would be available for public review and be issued annually.
*Exploring possible revenue sources. Investigate: the sale of state assets and privatization of state services. Study existing Ohio tax credits. Conduct performance audits to ensure recipients of economic development tax credits follow through with mandated requirements.
MAKE your vote COUNT! Hold Ohio's elected leaders and candidates accountable.
Download the report at www.ohioscpa.com
Shown in picture: Deanna Spriko, with Dan Moore
Dan Moore, representing the OSCPA addressed some of the issues facingOhio's strained budget.
Ohio's state budget faces a projected shortfall of up to $8 billion in the coming biennium (2012-2013), not counting budget deficits faced by countless local government entities.
Four key areas were the resulting answers for reform to create a financial road map for Ohio's future:ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃÆ'¢â€šÂ¬ÃÆ'‚¢ Creating more efficient and streamlined government operations. Consolidate the 5,500 separate state and local entities. These represent a significant cost drain on taxpayers.
* Containing or eliminating costs. Identify nonessential expenditures and conduct performance audits on key programs.* Enact public pension reform. Ohio's public retirement systems provide benefits for 1.5 million individuals. Ohio should explore all options to limit taxpayer exposure while treating employees fairly, yet realistically. Ideals for reform include: banning the practice of Ohio paying 10% employee share of retirement contribution; ban "double dipping" where an employee retires and is rehired in the same job; raise the minimum retirement age - currently as low as 48; investigate a defined contribution plan approach as commonly used in the private sector.
* Implementing long-range strategic financial planning which would be available for public review and be issued annually.
*Exploring possible revenue sources. Investigate: the sale of state assets and privatization of state services. Study existing Ohio tax credits. Conduct performance audits to ensure recipients of economic development tax credits follow through with mandated requirements.
MAKE your vote COUNT! Hold Ohio's elected leaders and candidates accountable.
Download the report at www.ohioscpa.com
Shown in picture: Deanna Spriko, with Dan Moore
Deanna Spirko standing in for President Susan Leetch opened the meeting and asked Gary Reel to lead the group in the Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and singing of "God Bless America".
Visitors: Helen Paes, Altzheimer's Association and Memory Walk, Kate Davis from Shepherd of the Valley, Jerry Haber, Struthers Club, Jim Groner from Mahoning Board of Development Disabilities and guest speaker, Dan Moore, Past President of the Salem Club and today representing the Ohio Society of CPA's.
SONGLEADER: Hillary led us in singing "America" in special honor of 9-11 and it was very well done.
GARY did some one liners that proved why he is NOT a stand-up comic for a living.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
* October 9: Awesometown Festival at the Township Park. Mark Cole will represent us.* September 21: Reverse Raffle at Salem Rotary Club.
* October 2: Roadside Cleanup.
* Hillary announced that dictionaries would be here in two weeks.
*Helen Paes announced that the Memory Walk, Saturday October 9 at Boardman Park will raise funds and awareness for research. Over 5 Million Americans suffer from Altzheimers and they are working on a cure for this horrible disease.
* Bruce Laraway announced that Mark Cole would be interested in going to San Salvadorefor World Care. The trip is scheduled for January 12-17. Contact Bruce if you are interested.
* Jim Croner asked us to endorse Issue 3 a Renewal for the Disabled. It used to be the old MRDD agency. They run day programs and teach vocational skills.
INTERNATIONAL:
Bruce Laraway reported that the trip to San Salvadore is scheduled for January 12-17. Volunteers will only miss 3 days of work. a $250 deposit is required and the other $750 at a later time. Two members can go from each Club. A List of collection items needed for the orphanage is available and the team will take these with them. They will try to build 5 to 6 homes. They are trying for 20 team members. Contact Bruce for more information.
ROTARY MINUTE(S):
Chuck Baker had no Rotary minute for us. Maybe still "depressed" from last time.
RAFFLE: Mark Cole won $7.00 but lost the big red smiling queen of hearts.
PROGRAM: Mission Possible: Ohio Budget Reform and What's at Stake. Dan Moore, representing the OSCPA addressed some of the issues facing Ohio's strained budget.Ohio's state budget faces a projected shortfall of up to $8 billion in the coming biennium (2012-2013), not counting budget deficits faced by countless local government entities.
Last fall, the Ohio Society of CPAs convened a task force of financial experts to explore short and long-term options for dealing with the budget crisis.
Four key areas were the resulting answers for reform to create a financial road map for Ohio's future:
* Creating more efficient and streamlined government operations. Consolidate the 5,500 separate state and local entities. These represent a significant cost drain on taxpayers.
* Containing or eliminating costs. Identify nonessential expenditures and conduct performance audits on key programs.
* Enact public pension reform. Ohio's public retirement systems provide benefits for 1.5 million individuals. Ohio should explore all options to limit taxpayer exposure while treating employees fairly, yet realistically. Ideals for reform include: banning the practice of Ohio paying 10% employee share of retirement contribution; ban "double dipping" where an employee retires and is rehired in the same job; raise the minimum retirement age - currently as low as 48; investigate a defined contribution plan approach as commonly used in the private sector.
* Implementing long-range strategic financial planning which would be available for public review and be issued annually.
* Exploring possible revenue sources. Investigate: the sale of state assets and privatization of state services. Study existing Ohio tax credits. Conduct performance audits to ensure recipients of economic development tax credits follow through with mandated requirements.
MAKE your vote COUNT! Hold Ohio's elected leaders and candidates accountable.
Download the report at www.ohioscpa.com
Shown in picture: Deanna Spriko, with Dan Moore
Visitors: Helen Paes, Altzheimer's Association and Memory Walk, Kate Davis from Shepherd of the Valley, Jerry Haber, Struthers Club, Jim Groner from Mahoning Board of Development Disabilities and guest speaker, Dan Moore, Past President of the Salem Club and today representing the Ohio Society of CPA's.
SONGLEADER: Hillary led us in singing "America" in special honor of 9-11 and it was very well done.
GARY did some one liners that proved why he is NOT a stand-up comic for a living.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
* October 9: Awesometown Festival at the Township Park. Mark Cole will represent us.* September 21: Reverse Raffle at Salem Rotary Club.
* October 2: Roadside Cleanup.
* Hillary announced that dictionaries would be here in two weeks.
*Helen Paes announced that the Memory Walk, Saturday October 9 at Boardman Park will raise funds and awareness for research. Over 5 Million Americans suffer from Altzheimers and they are working on a cure for this horrible disease.
* Bruce Laraway announced that Mark Cole would be interested in going to San Salvadorefor World Care. The trip is scheduled for January 12-17. Contact Bruce if you are interested.
* Jim Croner asked us to endorse Issue 3 a Renewal for the Disabled. It used to be the old MRDD agency. They run day programs and teach vocational skills.
INTERNATIONAL:
Bruce Laraway reported that the trip to San Salvadore is scheduled for January 12-17. Volunteers will only miss 3 days of work. a $250 deposit is required and the other $750 at a later time. Two members can go from each Club. A List of collection items needed for the orphanage is available and the team will take these with them. They will try to build 5 to 6 homes. They are trying for 20 team members. Contact Bruce for more information.
ROTARY MINUTE(S):
Chuck Baker had no Rotary minute for us. Maybe still "depressed" from last time.
RAFFLE: Mark Cole won $7.00 but lost the big red smiling queen of hearts.
PROGRAM: Mission Possible: Ohio Budget Reform and What's at Stake. Dan Moore, representing the OSCPA addressed some of the issues facing Ohio's strained budget.Ohio's state budget faces a projected shortfall of up to $8 billion in the coming biennium (2012-2013), not counting budget deficits faced by countless local government entities.
Last fall, the Ohio Society of CPAs convened a task force of financial experts to explore short and long-term options for dealing with the budget crisis.
Four key areas were the resulting answers for reform to create a financial road map for Ohio's future:
* Creating more efficient and streamlined government operations. Consolidate the 5,500 separate state and local entities. These represent a significant cost drain on taxpayers.
* Containing or eliminating costs. Identify nonessential expenditures and conduct performance audits on key programs.
* Enact public pension reform. Ohio's public retirement systems provide benefits for 1.5 million individuals. Ohio should explore all options to limit taxpayer exposure while treating employees fairly, yet realistically. Ideals for reform include: banning the practice of Ohio paying 10% employee share of retirement contribution; ban "double dipping" where an employee retires and is rehired in the same job; raise the minimum retirement age - currently as low as 48; investigate a defined contribution plan approach as commonly used in the private sector.
* Implementing long-range strategic financial planning which would be available for public review and be issued annually.
* Exploring possible revenue sources. Investigate: the sale of state assets and privatization of state services. Study existing Ohio tax credits. Conduct performance audits to ensure recipients of economic development tax credits follow through with mandated requirements.
MAKE your vote COUNT! Hold Ohio's elected leaders and candidates accountable.
Download the report at www.ohioscpa.com
Shown in picture: Deanna Spriko, with Dan Moore