Happy New Year! The new year brings the beginning of session for the Ohio General Assembly and the introduction of both the General Revenue Fund (GRF) and the Transportation budget bills. We fully expect the sales tax on professional services to be reintroduced as part of the Governor’s GRF budget bill on January 31, 2017. In anticipation of this, ACEC Ohio will continue to partner with the Ohio Service Industry Coalition (OSIC). This is a coalition of over 20 business/member associations and companies working against the expansion of state and local sales taxes to professional services, including engineering services. The Council is opposed to the concept of levying a sales tax on businesses that provide professional services to their clients. Such taxation is regressive, inhibits competition and is inherently difficult and burdensome to administer. We are in the process of putting a white paper together on this issue and will get it out to membership in anticipation of a “call to action” to elected officials.
In addition, ACEC Ohio has identified our Legislative initiatives for 2017. This is a fluid list as the legislature moves into full session with bills introduced daily. Our priorities include:
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.