Ohio's Commercial Activity Tax to be Revisited

House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) recently established the House Study Commmitte on Ohio’s Tax Structure. The committee, chaired by Rep. John Adams (R-Sidney) is one of three created to seek public input on important topics lawmakers might act on this session.  The other two committees are workforce development and the use of technology in state government.  The tax structure committee will focus on three areas: the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) sales, use tax, and tax expenditures and will hold a total of six hearings around the state.  The House committee held its first hearing on Wednesday, August 24^th where lawmakers heard a briefing on the history of the 2005 tax overhaul as well as exhortations from a number of different groups and associations for simplicity, regionalism and relief. 

Future meetings of the committee are scheduled as follows:

• 10 a.m. Aug. 29 at the University of Dayton's 1700 Auditorium, 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, 45479.
• 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at the University of Toledo, Scott Park Campus Auditorium, 2225 Nebraska Av., Toledo, 43606.
• 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16 at the University of Akron, Martin University Center, 105 Fir Hill St., Akron, 44304.
• 10:30 a.m. Sept. 19 at Ohio University Zanesville campus, Campus Center Room T430/431, 1425 Newark Rd., Zanesville, 43701.
• 10 a.m. Sept. 22 at the Statehouse in Hearing Room 114.

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association has identified this special committee as a prime opportunity to share information about the inequities of Ohio’s Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) as it relates to the grain industry. We encourage members who are impacted by the CAT via grain handling operations to participate in these hearings.  OABA staff will be testifying on behalf of its members on September 22^nd at the Columbus hearing.  For more information or to request assistance in preparing to testify at a hearing, please contact Chris Henney at 614-326-7520 or chenney@oaba.net.