Latest news with #BillRoemer
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio bill consolidates property tax issue into one proposal
(WKBN) – Another bill announced Wednesday by Ohio lawmakers is putting together several other bills into one legislative measure to address rising property taxes in the state. State Representatives Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and David Thomas (R-Jefferson) announced the Property Tax Relief Now Act (House Bill 335). Roemer and Thomas say the proposed legislation would deliver $3.5 million in property tax relief and overhaul the property tax system in Ohio 'in the most impactful way since 1976.' 'We have been gathering these ideas for years and know the time is now to address this crisis before it gets even worse. We have to respond to the needs of our taxpayers who saw record spikes over the last 5 years and paid more into the property tax system because of high values and local entities accepting the unvoted inside millage. We must return the power to the voters and give oversight to taxpayers,' Thomas said in a news release. Thomas also serves as vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. The Property Tax Relief Now Act would provide the following: Caps on School and JVSD TaxesThe bill works to address spikes in unvoted property taxes by creating a new tax credit to limit the growth in revenue school districts can receive from the 20-mill floor to the rate of inflation. For further explanation, if a house's property value goes up, and a school district is at the 20-mill floor, there will be a limit on what the homeowner will have to pay in property taxes. Local Homestead ExemptionsAuthorizes the Board of County Commissioners the authority to provide local homestead exemptions to county residents (including low-income seniors, disabled veterans, and the spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty), applied against the resident's total home value. These local tax exemptions are in addition to the state's existing homestead exemptions and will be identical to the state's traditional and enhanced homestead exemptions. Promotes Transparency in Property Tax LeviesThe legislation works to give taxpayers a guaranteed tax rate and a clearer understanding of the impact of their vote on levies. The bill removes a loophole in the tax reduction factor by requiring that certain fixed sum levies count toward the school district 20-mill floor calculation, including emergency levies. Additionally, the bill eliminates the authority of school districts to seek new substitute levies. Unlike other fixed-sum levies, substitute levies generate additional revenue when new construction is added to the tax list. Finally, the bill will prohibit a school district from changing the purpose of its inside millage in any way that would increase its property tax revenue. Billions in Direct ReliefInside millage is property tax millage that may be levied without prior voter approval, up to 10 mills per property. The bill includes provisions that prohibit all political subdivisions from levying inside millage, except townships. Townships may levy inside millage, but it is limited to the amount they levied in tax year 2024. This update will deliver a direct tax savings of $3.5 billion to Ohioans. Allows Optional Local Sales Tax IncreaseAs part of the bill, counties may raise their sales tax by up to 1% only with approval from the majority of voters, giving communities alternative revenue options beyond property tax increases. Oversight of Excess Reserves & Increased Public Input on LeviesThe bill expands on the House-passed version of the budget by requiring the County Budget Commission (CBC) to hold public hearings if any taxing authority carries over more than 30% of its annual budget in reserve. The County Budget Commission can reduce future levies accordingly. Additionally, the legislation ensures greater community awareness and involvement by requiring public meetings on new county commissioner proposed levies. Prevents Shifting Inside MillageAdditionally, the bill prohibits a school district from increasing tax revenue by changing the purpose of unvoted inside millage, reducing stealth tax hikes. More Authority for Budget CommissionsUnder this legislation, County Budget Commissions get greater power to monitor, review, and adjust levies — improving coordination across taxing authorities. The bill will receive a committee assignment in the coming days. Valley residents complained of sticker shock during the recent property reassessment that fueled increases as much as 30%. Properties underwent scheduled reassessment in 2022 and 2023, and those tax bills came due in 2024. Commissioners in Trumbull and Mahoning counties have been working with lawmakers to address the issue, calling for a coalition of counties to come together and press lawmakers to provide relief for homeowners. Earlier this month, the Ohio Attorney General approved language that could soon allow for the Citizens for Property Tax Reform to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to eliminate property taxes in Ohio. The County Auditor's Association of Ohio has been at the forefront in asking for property tax reform, and some lawmakers have taken their suggestions — some of which are in the Property Tax Relief Now Act. You can read more about their suggestions on the group's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How to submit a public comment on Ohio's E-Check Ease Act
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — A plan to make Ohio's biannual vehicle emissions testing easier will soon go before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for approval, and state regulators want to hear from Ohio drivers. The E-Check Ease Act, introduced by state Reps. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Township), was incorporated into the state's biennial transportation budget bill signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine at the end of March. PHOTOS: Truck goes off road, US 422 ramp closed Under Ohio's E-Check program, residents in seven counties — Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit — who own cars that are between 4 and 25 years old are required to have their emissions inspected every two years. A passing inspection is required for vehicle registration in those seven counties. The proposed change would expand the exemption for newer cars from four years old to six years old. Hybrid vehicles that are seven years old or newer would also be exempt. The bill also allows vehicle owners to forego inspections entirely and obtain an 'alternative emissions certificate' from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, attesting that their car meets state emissions laws 'to the best of their knowledge.' That attestation could be rejected if the EPA determines it was falsified or if the driver was cited in the past two years for excessive exhaust or a noisy muffler, or if their vehicle was in a collision in the prior two years which caused 'substantial' internal damage. Rejected owners would then have to get the car inspected. The Ohio EPA is required to submit the new certification process to the U.S. EPA, which must decide whether it complies with the federal Clean Air Act before it can move ahead. If approved, the Ohio EPA would then implement the state-level changes. The public comment period for the bill opened earlier this month and runs through June 2. Public comments can be emailed to DAPC-Comments@ through then. The Ohio EPA is then expected to respond to the public comments and submit the changes to the U.S. EPA. 'For 30 years, Northeast Ohio has been unfairly burdened by E-Check,' Roemer is quoted in a Wednesday news release. 'It is far past time to address this problem, and I encourage citizens to reach out to eviscerate this burden.' Bond set at $2 million as Aliza Sherman's alleged killer appears in court: I-Team State Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma) in a Wednesday news release said the E-Check program 'may have been well-intentioned' when it was created in 1996, but there's no evidence it has actually reduced vehicle emissions since then. He said drivers actually burn about 600,000 gallons of gas per year just to comply with the mandate. 'The $11 million the state spends would be better spent on conservation education and public transit,' he is quoted in the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio bill would create emergency alerts for escaped inmates
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio residents could begin receiving notifications when inmates escape correctional facilities, in a proposed system that would operate similarly to Amber Alert. House Bill 23, sponsored by Reps. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township), would allow law enforcement to immediately notify residents in the 'surrounding area' of a jail or prison when an inmate has escaped. The proposed system is named the 'escaped convict alert program.' 'The idea is to have a Amber Alert-style system that will make residents aware if an individual escapes from confinement,' Williams said. 'They can be made aware in real time that there's someone in the community who may have a higher propensity to do carjackings or break into homes or do crimes in an effort to flee the area.' The alert system would apply to inmates who were convicted of, indicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony offense. Williams believes the alerts would enhance residents' safety and help law enforcement locate escaped inmates. 'If an individual escapes, there needs to be one immediate alert provided to the residents so they can make sure they secure their property and be on the lookout for this individual,' Williams said. 'Our law enforcement officers would have the opportunity to apprehend that individual in a quicker fashion because the community is engaged now.' The details of the system still need to be hashed out during committee hearings, Williams said. However, Williams said he plans for the notifications to be sent directly to residents' phones, as well as broadcast through televisions and the radio. 'Our initial opinion is that similar to Amber Alert, you will get notifications directly to your phone with that very loud annoying sound that gets your attention and now has you on the lookout for an individual,' Williams said. 'Especially with modern phones, we could even provide a picture of the individual.' The bill, introduced in January, also noted that any entity involved in broadcasting alerts could not be held liable for any 'damages' or 'loss' that might result from sharing or failing to share the notification. Roemer introduced a similar bill in October 2024, but it did not progress to the point of receiving a hearing before the legislative session ended. Indiana and Oklahoma have enacted similar alert systems for escaped inmates. Ohio did not experience any escapes from prisons from 2019 to 2022, according to the state Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Two inmates escaped from a Lima correctional institution in 2023, marking the state's most recent prison escape. 'I think this is a bipartisan bill that should not have any opposition and I look forward to the committee process moving in steadfast and providing safety and security to our residents,' Williams said. HB 23 was assigned to the House's Public Safety Committee where it awaits its first hearing. The bill has 11 Republican and three Democrat cosponsors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State funding for Browns dome moves forward: I-Team
CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found an Ohio House committee just approved a financial package that includes state money to help the Cleveland Browns build a dome. The measure is expected to be taken up by the full House of Representatives on Wednesday. It's not a final decision, but a step forward. The Browns have asked for state help building a dome in Brook Park. Million-dollar renovations begin at 'Shooters' location in The Flats They hope for $600 million from the state through bonds. The Browns promise to pay it back with profits from the dome and surrounding development. Tuesday, that came up along with other budget matters before the Ohio House of Representatives Finance Committee. The committee voted to approve the overall spending plan. District 31 State Rep. Bill Roemer sits on that committee, and he expects the dome to have a big impact. 'I was originally opposed until I looked at the numbers. Over the period of the project, it appears that the state will recognize an additional $1.2 billion in tax revenue,' he said. Roemer adds that the Browns have promised to set aside money upfront to cover any shortcomings that might come up in paying back the state. 'Even if the projections are wildly wrong, the state is still protected. This is going to generate additional tax revenue,' the representative said. Reflecting on the Total Solar Eclipse one year later If the measure gets approved by the House, it then must be approved by the Senate. Meanwhile, one senator said he will introduce a bill to block funding for any teams with a losing record such as the Browns. Behind it all, the city of Cleveland is fighting the Browns in court to stop the team from moving out of the current stadium on the lakefront. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
