OPRA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND ALERT Although this is good news the fight is not over yet!
We've just learned from the Governor's Office that he has today, prioritized funding based on increased revenue projections from the Office of Budget and Management. Governor Taft has recommended to the Budget conference committee restoring funding to local governments to the same level they received in FY 2005. Earlier today you received an email with sample letters urging you and your citizen board members to send letters to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the conference committee members. Please draft letters to the Speaker, the President and the conference committee members by changing the opening paragraph to read something like this: "This letter asks for your support of Governor Taft's recommendation to restore funding to local governments to the same level they recived in FY 2005." We must send letters ASAP. We cannot trust that because the Governor asked the House and Senate to restore funding that it will be done. The Governor is having some serious problems with the recent coin situation and the Workers Comp investment losses. Both the Speaker of the House and the Senate President have been quoted in the paper recently that all excess revenues will be going to the Rainy Day Fund. We must make the case that we need the money back home for parks. Please send copies of your letters to OPRA quickly. Thank you in advance for your efforts. Larry Peck and Michelle Park ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.
