As you are aware, the Senate last night passed HB 62 (Transportation Budget) with language that would allow Butler and Stark Counties to initiate a 4-year pilot project where the EMA would be put under the control of the county sheriff.

We need your help in continuing to reach out to your own legislators AND our key contacts in the House and Senate (highlighted in the attached PDF)! Click the highlighted links below for resources to help guide you:

• House and Senate contact spread sheet with key legislators highlighted (the House and Senate are on two different sheets)
• Call their office phones or cell phones if you have them
• A form letter to email as a follow up to all of your conversations
•  Talking points to guide your conversations
• We are asking them to support the removal of the EMA language from the Transportation Budget
•  The amendment language

As a reminder, House Bill 62 is going to make its way to Conference Committee, which will be comprised of 3 members of the House (2R’s/1D) and 3 members of the Senate (2R’s/1D).  The members of conference committee will be identified shortly after the House vote. At this time, the House is not scheduled to be in Session until Wednesday, March 27th and the bill needs to be finalized by March 31st.

Again, focus on the highlighted contacts on the Leadership of the House and Senate, in addition to your House and Senate Members. Stress that this should be a stand-alone bill and not a last-minute amendment.

To locate your Senator, visit the follow website: http://www.ohiosenate.gov/senators/district-map

To find your Representative, enter your zip code in the designated area on this site: http://www.ohiohouse.gov/