Brothers and Sisters,

 

Senate Bill 82, the elimination of residency requirements, was passed out of the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committee by a vote of 7-2.

 

This is good news but we need to keep the pressure on. The Ohio Fire Chiefs are now actively opposing this bill and we need a strong grassroots effort to push this through. Please call, write, email, or fax your State Senator and ask them to support SB 82.

 

The vote in the committee was as follows:

Voting For the Bill;

Sen. Kevin Coughlin-R Cuyahoga Falls

Sen. Timothy Grendall-R Chesterland

Sen. Larry Mumper-R Marion

Sen. Tom Niehaus-R New Richmond

Sen. Kirk Schuring R-Canton

Sen. Dan Brady D-Cleveland

Sen. Teresa Fedor D-Toledo

 

These members should be thanked for their support and encouraged to move the bill for floor action.

 

Voting against the bill;

Sen. Jeffrey Armbruster R-North Ridgeville

Sen. Kim Zurz D-Uniontown

 

These members should be contacted and urged to change their minds. You should express your disappointment in them as well.

 

We need to be very active now in communicating our opinion on this bill This is a family issue not a home rule issue. Afterall home rule starts when people choose where to live.

 

Thanks for your time and efforts.

 

Fraternally,

 

Jim Carney

OAPFF Legislative Director