Latest news with #SenateBill59
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arthur Rambo Memorial Bridge dedication set for May 25
Apr. 25—The formal dedication of the Arthur J. Rambo Memorial Bridge will be held on Memorial Day weekend in Libby. The dedication ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at Riverfront Park. According to Rambo's sister, Patty, who still lives in Libby, the memorial plaque will be installed in view of the bridge. The public, near and far, is invited to join in for the dedication ceremony. The Rambo family extends a special invitation to the students who have been awarded the Arthur J. Rambo Memorial Scholarship over the past 56 years. Earlier this year, on Jan. 16, the first bill of the 69th session of the Montana Legislature, Senate Bill 59, was signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte in the State Capitol Building in Helena. Senate Bill 59 was introduced by Sen. Mike Cuffe, the representative of Lincoln County. Senate Bill 59 declared, and was made into law, that the bridge spanning the Kootenai River on Highway 37 in Libby be named and dedicated to honor Staff Sgt. Arthur J Rambo, a Libby native who was killed in Vietnam on Thanksgiving Day 1969. Rambo was returned home and buried the day before his 25th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the Vietnamese Presidential Citation for his actions in the mortar attack that his unit came under that day. Besides his immediate family, extended family and many friends, he left behind his wife Helen Ryan Rambo and his two daughters Kerry and Amy, both under the age of two when their father was killed in action. For more information, please contact Patty Rambo at (406) 293-4306.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio bill would eliminate sales tax for guns and ammunition
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio Senators have introduced legislation that would eliminate sales tax for guns and ammunition, while establishing a tax credit for firearm manufacturers in the state. The sponsors of Senate Bill 59, Sens. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) and Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster), claim Ohio is losing out on gun sales due to buyers traveling to neighboring tax-free states. Competing bills seek to change Ohio marijuana law 'In 2021, similar language was adopted into law in the state of West Virginia, highlighting the necessity of this legislation; to ensure that Ohioans support Ohio businesses,' Schaffer said at an introductory hearing for the bill. Currently, West Virginia is the only state neighboring Ohio that has adopted a sales tax exemption for gun and ammunition purchases. Guns in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon are also sales tax free since these states do not collect sales tax at all. It is legal to buy a gun in one state and take it to another, as long as the transaction is legal in both states, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. If the bill were to pass, Ohio's sales tax exemption would specifically apply to any non-shotgun firearm that is .50 caliber or smaller, and any shotgun that is 10 gauge or smaller, according to Schaffer. Ammunition for such firearms would also qualify. The measure, introduced in January, would also establish a tax credit capped at $10 million per fiscal year for firearms and ammunition manufacturers that either plan on moving to Ohio or are expanding an existing facility. 'The intent behind this bill is to protect our Second Amendment and remove the burdensome nature of taxes,' Cutrona said. 'Additionally, this is a jobs bill and will create more opportunities for Ohioans. Ohio is open for business and I look forward to the positive impact this legislation will have on our economy.' Father behind 'Lauren's Law' in Ohio sues care facility after eviction The tax credit, called the 'Constitutional Commerce Credit,' would be administered by the state Department of Development, and awarded to businesses that make a capital investment of at least $2 million. Companies would be eligible to receive the refundable tax credit for up to 15 years. Businesses receiving tax incentives would have to maintain operations in the state for the greater part of seven years or the term of the credit plus three years. If a business fails to comply with the rules, the Department of Development could intervene and recapture up to the full amount of the credit awarded, Cutrona said. The pair introduced a similar bill in the last General Assembly, but it only received one hearing and did not pass by the end of the legislative session. A spokesperson with the Ohio Council of Churches, a Christian organization fighting against gun violence, told NBC4 the group is against the bill, calling it 'morally and ethically' irresponsible. Waverly, Ohio teenager on life support after getting the flu 'According to the New England Journal of Medicine, firearms are the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in America,' a spokesperson said. 'Yet our state legislature apparently is bent on not only removing the tax on firearms sales … but actually seeks to encourage the manufacture and distribution of firearms, by bestowing tax incentives on the manufacturers.' SB 59 was assigned to the Senate's Ways and Means Committee. It has had one introductory hearing and awaits proponent and opponent testimony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Free school breakfast bill passes Arkansas Senate, heads to Gov. Sanders' desk
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An Arkansas Senate bill designed to offer free school breakfast passes in the House on Feb. 13 and now heads to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' desk for her to sign. Siloam Springs School District, lawmaker react to free breakfast bill in legislation Senate Bill 59 passed the Arkansas House with an 88-4 vote. Two representatives did not vote. Six voted present. The bill aims to remove any eligibility restrictions on free breakfast programs for any public school student in Arkansas, regardless of the student's eligibility for federal free or reduced-price meals. The bill does not apply to private schools. Free school breakfast bill advances in Arkansas legislature The cost would be covered first by federal funding, and then supplemented by state funding. State funding would come from sales tax and special privilege tax on medical marijuana sales in the state. Once Sanders signs the bill, it will take effect in fall 2025 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio senators propose sales tax exemption on gun sales
Stock photo of guns. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos for New Jersey Monitor/States Newsroom.) Two Republican state senators in Ohio have reintroduced a measure eliminating sales tax for guns and ammunition while dangling tax incentives to lure firearm manufacturers to the state. The sponsors contend Ohio is losing out on gun sales as buyers travel to neighboring tax-free states, and that Ohio has an opportunity to add new jobs if it takes steps to attract businesses. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX State Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster, who sponsored a similar bill last session has filed the proposal again. He's joined by state Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, who moved from the House to the Senate following last year's election and previously backed similar proposals in the lower chamber. In committee, Schaffer argued Ohio should forgo taxes on firearms and ammunition because gun buyers are likely to cross state lines for cheaper purchases. 'Senate Bill 59 will make the related businesses in our state more competitive with those in neighboring states,' Schaffer argued. 'In 2021, similar language was adopted into law in the state of West Virginia and that highlights the necessity of this legislation to ensure Ohioans support Ohio businesses.' Although West Virginia has adopted a sales tax exemption for gun and ammunition purchases, none of the other states neighboring Ohio have taken similar steps. A handful of other states, Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon, don't charge sales tax on guns either, but that's because they have no state sales tax at all. The impact in Ohio could be significant. According to a study conducted by home security website utilizing data from the National Instant Background Check System, Ohioans purchased nearly 600,000 firearms in 2023. That works out to 668 weapons per 10,000 residents over 21 years of age. Schaffer cited Legislative Service Commission research that pegged the price tag for the exemption at $22.5 million to almost $38 million. 'Compared to the 2024 total (general revenue fund) of $13.7 billion,' he said. While Schaffer emphasized how their measure would benefit consumers, Cutrona focused on businesses. 'Jobs. This is what this bill does,' Cutrona argued. 'It creates jobs here in the state of Ohio.' He explained they'll encourage existing businesses to expand and attract new businesses to the state with a refundable tax credit. Under the proposal, companies could apply for credits tied to their increase in payroll so long as they make a capital investment in Ohio of at least $2 million. Cutrona described a recent visit to a trade show for firearm manufacturers. 'When I spoke to those CEOs, those owners, you know what they told me?' Cutrona recalled. 'They're looking for states that want their business. They're looking for states that they can appropriately be able to manufacture and produce their product.' 'Well guess what?' he added, 'Ohio is open for business.' Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, voiced skepticism for their proposal. 'How many people have been prevented from buying ammunition or a gun because of our sales tax?' he pressed the sponsors. Schaffer side-stepped DeMora's question arguing, 'it's not so much about how many people will be prevented from buying it, my concern is they'll go across the border.' He argued hunting and target shooting enthusiasts go through purchase enough that 'for them it makes a big difference.' 'And just to go five, ten, fifteen miles across the border to West Virginia to buy it tax free is a big difference,' he said, 'and then our retailers lose out, and that hurts our jobs.' Cutrona chimed in that the state line is only about a 40-minute drive from his home in the Youngstown area. 'You're going to start to see a numerous amount of business(es) leave areas like mine to go to states like West Virginia,' he argued. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arkansas lawmakers give initial approval to legislation to provide students free breakfast
Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, listens to testimony during a public health committee meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) A legislative panel on Wednesday approved a bill to provide free breakfast to Arkansas students regardless of their eligibility for the federal free or reduced-price meal program beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. Lead sponsor Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, told the Senate Education Committee Wednesday that Senate Bill 59 would first use federally available funds to support the initiative before tapping into state resources. State funding would come through the Food Insecurity Fund, which would be created by SB 59 and consist of money from general revenue, private grants and medical marijuana taxes. 'We ask these kids to be in school, we actually mandate that they be in school,' Dismang said. 'We want them to be successful. Let's give them the basic tool to be successful and that is to start the day without an empty stomach.' A steady job doesn't guarantee food on the table for many Arkansans At a rate of nearly 19%, Arkansas had the highest prevalence of food insecurity in 2023, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released in September. One in four Arkansas children face hunger, according to Feeding America. Federal funding supported free meals for all students during the COVID-19 pandemic and a number of states have since considered legislation that would continue the practice. Some states like California and Minnesota have passed laws to provide universal free school meals. SB 59 builds on Dismang's work during the 2023 legislative session when Arkansas lawmakers approved a bill to cover the copayment for low-income students who qualify for reduced-price meals, and a bill that would allow money from the General Revenue Fund to be placed in a Restricted Reserve Fund to address food insecurity and health needs. Because medical marijuana funds would be used to support the free breakfast initiative, Sen. Joshua Bryant, R-Rogers, asked if there would be any concern about the funding source should a state legislator try to further restrict the expansion of medical marijuana. Dismang said he's not worried because the industry was created through a constitutional amendment. Arkansas voters first approved medical marijuana in 2016 and it has since grown into a billion-dollar industry. State tax revenue from medical marijuana surpassed $31 million in 2024, according to data released by state officials Wednesday. Providing students free breakfast under SB 59 could cost an estimated $14.7 million, according to a fiscal impact statement. That's likely 'on the high side' but Dismang said he wanted to use conservative estimates and noted that covering the cost of reduced-price meals following passage of his 2023 bill has not come close to its $6 million estimate. SB 59 also prioritizes the use of money from the Food Insecurity Fund, which must first cover copayments for reduced meals and the state's participation in the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program before funds can be used for the breakfast program, Dismang said. Summer EBT set to continue in 2025, pending further Arkansas legislative approval Arkansas last year opted into the Summer EBT program, a new federal assistance program that provides $120 in food benefits to students during summer break. Dismang said it was 'wildly successful' and cost an estimated $2.9 million. Though no one spoke against the bill in committee Wednesday, policy organization Opportunity Arkansas in a social media post assigned SB 59 an 'F'-ranking, arguing the legislation would 'grow government and increase dependency.' 'This bill would provide for 'free' universal school breakfasts for all Arkansas students — even those from high-income families,' the post states. Addressing the criticism in committee, Dismang said this approach is similar to schools purchasing laptops and other tools for families who have the means to purchase these resources on their own. 'To me this is no different,' he said. 'Let's let them start out on the right foot. Let's let them have the option and let's do something about the food insecurity problems we have here in the state.' Those sentiments were echoed by two employees of the Conway School District who spoke in favor of the bill because it would help the district address unpaid student meal charges and free up money to be used on other things like safety. The district has $317,000 in unpaid meal charges as of Wednesday, Conway School District Food Service Director Maegan Brown said. A 2019 bill requires public schools to provide students a meal and prohibits them from stigmatizing children unable to pay. The law allows schools to request payment from parents, but there are no consequences for failure to pay so districts incur debt, Brown said. Regulations prohibit districts from using federal food-service funds to cover student meal debt, so the district must ultimately find a way to pay for it once a student graduates or drops out, she said. Bryant questioned what the incentive would be for parents to fill out forms to help the state qualify for federal funding if they know they'll receive meals regardless. Superintendent Jeff Collum agreed it's a risk, but said he's open to trying SB 59's breakfast program because the district will have to continue paying on bad debt no matter what. 'It may hurt us, it may hurt us before it gets better, but if we were to err, it would be let's feed the babies as much as we can and we'll figure it out, the way we're trying to figure it out now,' Collum said. The House Education Committee unanimously approved SB 59 on a voice vote, and it will next be heard by the full House. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
