Statehood Day 2010 is March 3.  Let your voice be heard by participating!  Passage of House Bill 75 will have direct benefit to the OAC and archaeological organizations throughout Ohio by creating a grant program from voluntary donations.  To register go to the Statehood Day website: http://www.ohiohistory.org/about/lu/sd.html.

2010 HISTORY WORKS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

• SENATE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 75 (OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCOME TAX CHECK-OFF) creating a competitive grant program to fund local projects via historical, archival and historic preservation organizations throughout Ohio. (Senate only; Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 75 by a vote of 95-1 on December 17, 2009).  When enacted into law, this bill will provide the Ohio Archaeological Council and other regional and local archaeological organizations funds to carry out local projects.

RETURN THE 5TH AND 8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES EXAMS TO THE OHIO ACHIEVEMENT TEST to ensure that Ohio schools continue to teach the core subject of social studies. The social studies and writing test requirements were removed for budget-saving purposes in the FY 2010-11 state operating budget.  This is important to the archaeological community because Ohio prehistory is taught in social studies, and teachers teach to what is tested; if it’s not on the test, it doesn’t get taught! 

RE-AUTHORIZE AND MAKE PERMANENT THE STATE’S HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT which has leveraged more than $1.2 billion in private redevelopment and federal tax credits. The Historic Tax Credit program subsidizes 25% of qualified expenses to rehabilitate historic buildings throughout Ohio. To date, approved projects since 2007 have resulted in more than $225 million in tax credits being approved by the Ohio Department of Development.

On December 17, 2009, the Ohio House passed HB 75, the Ohio Historical Society income tax check-off, funds from which the Society will use for a competitive matching grants program for historical societies and historic preservation organizations.  The bill passed by a vote of 95 – 1.  We are very close to getting the income tax check-off enacted into law.  The next steps are for the Senate Ways & Means & Economic Development Committee to finish hearings on SB 60, the companion bill to HB 75, and vote it out of committee so that the full Senate can vote on the bill.  Please contact your state Senator today and ask him or her to support Senate Bill 60.  To find and contact your state Senator go to http://www.ohiosenate.gov/ and type in your zip code where indicated.