Sun Nov 08 2009
By TODD HELBERG
In April, first-term 74th District Rep. Bruce Goodwin told a meeting of Defiance business and municipal leaders that he was learning the ropes of his new position.
Now, Goodwin -- elected to the seat last November -- speaks more like a veteran, having introduced several bills and participated in the state's biennial budget process that concluded in late June. Halfway through the first year of his two-year term, Goodwin spoke about his experiences Monday morning during an interview at The Crescent-News.
He admits that when the General Assembly reconvenes in the fall (it's now on summer recess) he'll feel more comfortable about what he's doing.
"Anytime you learn the process you feel a lot more comfortable," said Goodwin, a retired administrator from Four County Career Center. "I think I am pretty well aware of the process now and what it takes to make things happen, so I'm going to feel more comfortable this fall when we go back into session and probably will be a little more vocal on certain issues. I look forward to that, really. It's one of those kind of things the more you're there, the more you know."
But he's already been vocal on some topics.
For example, Goodwin has introduced bills that deal with rehiring practices of retired public sector employees, the handling of child pornography evidence and a scholarship fund for students attending Ohio State and its branches. The latter would allow the sale of special license plates to provide $15 toward the scholarship fund.
The first is the most controversial.
If approved, House Bill 240 would place stricter salary caps on what rehired public employees who are coming back from retirement can make. For example, a school superintendent who is rehired could only earn a salary equal to 60 percent of his/her final average salary when he/she retired. This would be in addition to his/her retirement pay.
"It's causing a little bit of concern around the state with administrators," said Goodwin, noting that other related bills are more strict.
The bill, if passed as proposed, would also require that rehired school administrators are "non-renewed" after each school year. A school board would then review the administrator's performance, and have to rehire him/her every year.
But introducing or sponsoring legislation isn't the only thing Goodwin wants to accomplish. He says part of his job description is to limit new laws.
"We have had almost 300 bills introduced in the first six months, and that's just on the House side," he said. "I really perceive a lot of my job is to make sure that a lot of these silly bills don't get passed."
One legislative item Goodwin supported helped limit one of those bills deemed silly by some. That was House Bill 694, which was passed during the last General Assembly and was opposed by many local officeholders.
It required that companies and contractors who do more than $500 of business with certain local governments sign a form saying they had not exceeded certain political contributions to elected officials. It created new paperwork for local governments and other issues.
"It's creating for public officials all across the state a huge mess in trying to figure it out," Goodwin said.
The state's biennial budget bill included an amendment to the legislation that increased the $500 amount to $10,000, he explained.
Some local constituents were wondering why other legislation left over from the last General Assembly (2005-2006) wasn't also changed during this year's budget bill. Specifically, some local gasoline distributors wanted that bill to address the commercial activities tax (CAT) which became law as part of the budget bill two years ago.
The legislation assessed a .26 percent tax on a business' gross receipts, regardless of whether it was profitable. The CAT was not addressed in the last budget bill, but Goodwin says he's aware that there is still strong opposition to it.
"In terms of the big picture there wasn't much uproar ... but there were certain groups that were still being hit by it very hard," he said. "For example, the petroleum suppliers, who are going from no tax to sometimes being hit four to five times with it (CAT), depending on how their setup is. I've been talking to those people and trying to come up with ideas how we can adjust it to make it fair. I'm trying to get my head wrapped around it enough to talk about it intelligently and get something going."
In addressing legislative issues, Goodwin said he's had much interaction with 1st District Sen. Steve Buehrer, R-Delta, and 75th House Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napoleon. As Republicans, they've proven easy to work with for Goodwin.
But he's also had a good experience with a Democrat -- new Gov. Ted Strickland.
"He's a very easy person to talk to," said Goodwin. "He's invited me and some other representatives on a regular basis to the governor's mansion just to discuss issues. That's the difference between this administration and the other (Bob Taft) administration. He really didn't communicate too much with people."
Veteran legislators are all familiar with the things mentioned above, as well as another that's on the radar for Goodwin -- re-election. Ohio's tentatively scheduled primary in 2008 (March 4) means he may have to campaign again soon for a second, two-year term, if he decides to run again.
But like a Statehouse veteran, Goodwin already has his mind made up about that.
"I plan to run again and look forward to it actually, getting out and seeing people," he said.
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