Update on 487

[Steno Wizard]

House Bill 487 update
May 23, 2012

OCRA learned last night that, despite our best efforts, our amendment to remove the proposed language from Am. Sub. H.B. 487 was NOT accepted by the Conference Committee, which means the language has been put back in the bill.

Retired Judge Mark Schweikert, Executive Director of the Ohio Judicial Conference, went down to the Statehouse yesterday afternoon to speak with Senators and Representatives again concerning this issue, explaining that we are and have been willing to work on an equitable solution through the OJC. For some reason, the House of Representatives was adamant that the language be put back in, and the vote went by party lines, 4-2, to reject the amendment and reinsert the language.

Our lobbyist is looking into whether we can have the portion referencing civil cases taken out through a line-item veto by the Governor.

A lot of people put in a lot of time on this issue, and we thank you for your efforts. We still need to pay the lobbyist, so please continue to donate and fund raise so that OCRA can move forward.

[LB]

Thanks for all your hard work, Allison. And to whomever else is lurking on here that helped in any way with this issue. It's greatly appreciated.

On a happier note, I just heard today on the barking chain that two more companies have spit all over Ohio Civil Rule 28(D) - Prohibited Contracts.

[Steno Wizard]

It just never ends, does it?

[LB]

Apparently not.

Interesting read, that [28(D)]. Apparently, if done properly, opposing counsel can challenge the use of a transcript produced in violation of the rule. Otherwise, not much bite.

I just don't understand (well, I do, but I don't) why everyone just finds it so easy to violate the court rules. We are, by extension, officers of the court, are we not? If we were in a state that allowed contracting, have at it. We're not, but fewer and fewer firms seem to care.

LAB

[Steno Wizard]

True. We need to work on so many things in our state. The reporter apathy that abounds in Ohio saddens me greatly, and I do not know how to fix it. Then we have past leaders who seem hellbent on screwing over steno reporters. We have seen the enemy...

Allie

[Steno Wizard]

Today's Columbus Dispatch, a letter to the editor:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2012/06/03/bill-overlooks-value-of-court-reporters.html

487 requires copies at cost and FREE electronic copies. Never mind that reporters provide the supplies, software, etc.

[Steno Wizard]

UPDATE ON SUB. H.B. 487

The Bill has not yet been signed.

Today’s the last day to take action, so EVERYONE this is another very important task which could be very effective.

Now is the time to take our efforts one step further. If you know any Republican judges, party officials, business people, political office holders and the like, call them immediately and urge them to contact Gov. Kasich at 614-466-3555. THIS COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

The bill was sent to the Governor on May 30, 2012. It is currently in a 10-day waiting period before the Governor's signature. We are asking that you contact the Governor's office now with our concerns.

Please go to:
www.governor.ohio.gov/Contact/ContacttheGovernor.aspx
in order to send your comments to the Governor.

Tell him that you are an official court reporter in Ohio and that you have independent contractor status with regard to transcript copy sales.

Remind him that we pay taxes on that money, so the State will be losing income also. Also mention that some of the proposed language is ambiguous and may put a burden on the courts to provide more services than they currently do, at the expense of county budgets.

Ask him to veto the language in HB 487 which pertains to court reporters and changes to ORC Sections 2301.18 through 2301.26, and related sections, in order that the Ohio Court Reporters Association may continue to work with the Ohio Judicial Conference to effectuate appropriate updated language to present to the General Assembly in the near future by means of a separate bill.

[Steno Wizard]

Yesterday, HB 487's language regarding at cost copies and FREE electronic copies for Ohio's official court reporters was signed into law by Governor Kasich. These changes will go into effect in 90 days.

We fought a long hard battle to the brutal end (for today). We will continue to work over the summer.