Latest news with #BrianLorenz
The Independent
05-08-2025
- Business
- The Independent
House Bill 395 aims to protect employers from those who skip job interviews
Ohio House Bill 395 proposes the creation of an online registry for individuals who fail to attend job interviews without notice. The bill aims to protect employers and state unemployment services by promoting accountability and preventing the waste of taxpayer money. Ohio Representative Brian Lorenz, a co-sponsor, argues the bill is 'common sense' and necessary to bring accountability back to the system. Opponents, including Senate Democrat Bill DeMora, contend that existing Ohio laws already address unemployment requirements and the bill could unfairly penalize those in emergency situations. While the Department of Job and Family Services currently has a system for reporting interview no-shows, proponents of the bill seek a more streamlined process.
The Independent
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New Ohio bill wants to make state registry of people who skip job interviews
A new bill in Ohio has called for the creation of an online registry list for anyone who fails to show up for job interviews without notice. The House Bill 395 wants the Department of Job and Family Services to find a way to report anyone who doesn't show, claiming it would protect employers and state unemployment services. 'If you're collecting unemployment, you should be actively looking for work. Period,' said Ohio Rep. and co-sponsor of the bill, Brian Lorenz, on X Saturday. 'HB 395 isn't controversial — it's common sense. Wasting employers' time and taxpayer dollars helps no one. Time to bring accountability back to the system.' Lorenz, along with Rep. Jennifer Gross, Rep. Jack Daniels, Rep. Tex Fischer, Rep. Michelle Teska, Rep. Josh Williams, and Rep. Heidi Workman, are all cosponsoring the bill, according to Ohio legislative records. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, thousands of Ohioans file for unemployment benefits on a weekly basis. But if the bill is enforced, some believe issues could arise for applicants. Existing Ohio law already restricts people from receiving unemployment benefits if they refuse to accept employment offers or quit without good cause. Senate Democrat Bill DeMora said people applying for jobs are already held accountable to unemployment requirements and believes the bill would penalize workers who are in emergency situations. Penalizing Ohioans for running into issues, say if their car breaks down, is not something he supports. 'This bill is another answer, looking for a question,' DeMora said to NBC4. 'It is something that's not needed. I mean, there are procedures in line already for unemployment compensation,' he said. A spokesperson for the Department of Job and Family Services told NBC it does not comment on pending legislation, but a system already exists to report interview no-shows online. Despite this, Rep. Lorenz still believes a more streamlined process is necessary. 'We're not looking to black list anybody or anything like that, we're just trying to build and foster a culture of respect and accountability and stop wasting employers' valuable time,' Lorenz told NBC4.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No tax on tips? Ohio lawmaker wants to eliminate state, local taxes on tips
Ohio workers could avoid state and local taxes on their tips under a bill introduced by a Republican lawmaker. House Bill 209 would exempt tips from state and local income taxes, regardless of how much the person makes. The proposal comes as Congress debates whether to eliminate taxes on tips and make good on a campaign promise from President Donald Trump. Get The Scoop!: Sign up for our weekly Ohio politics newsletter "If someone stays late, works a double and earns extra in tips, they should keep that money, not hand it over in taxes," Rep. Brian Lorenz, R-Powell, said during a May 21 committee hearing. "We talk about supporting working people. Here's one way to actually do it − let them keep more of what they earn and trust them to spend it in their communities." The hearing came one day after the U.S. Senate passed legislation to create a tax deduction up to $25,000 for tipped workers who earn $160,000 or less, USA TODAY reported. The U.S. House is debating a similar policy as part of a major budget bill that could extend Trump's tax cuts and cut Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The Ohio proposal got mixed reviews during its first hearing. Republicans and Democrats said the measure could help workers, but some questioned whether employees even report tips on their income taxes. Rep. Daniel Troy, D-Willowick, argued the state should require employers to pay better wages so workers don't need to rely on tips. Nationally, the idea has gained steam. Polls suggest it's popular among Americans on both sides of the political aisle. But the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center estimates that exempting tips would reduce federal revenue by $6.5 billion and generate little tax savings for workers. "In a perfect world, we would not have taxes," Gov. Mike DeWine said May 21. "We would love not to have taxes of any sort. But we like to support our schools. We like to help people who have mental health challenges. There's a lot of things that government does that's pretty essential." State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@ or @haleybemiller on X. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: No tax on tips? Ohio joins national debate with new legislation
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Political signs don't belong in peaceful HOA neighborhoods
Ohio House Bill 16, sponsored by state Rep. Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) and Rep. Thomas Hall (R-Madison Township), proposes to void existing homeowner associations' yard sign rules as they apply to political signs. HOAs are created by an agreement among homeowners to follow some common rules, which can include a "no signs" rule. HB 16 would override these agreements, letting people not honor their commitments. Let the individual HOAs decide on their own rules. Letter: The Bengals should be grateful to Cincinnati. Instead, the Brown family is greedy Alternatives exist to address the proponents' issues without overriding existing agreements. Reducing the majority needed to change HOA rules, for example, or help prospective homebuyers find out about HOA restrictions. HOAs could establish "reasonable restrictions" regarding political signs, but that involves hiring lawyers and an HOA-wide vote and arguments the HOA didn't ask for. A "no yard sign" rule is a bright-line standard that is easy to apply and keeps our neighborhoods more peaceful. Michael O'Neill, Lewis Center, Ohio This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Proposed Ohio law shouldn't overrule HOAs on yard signs | Letter
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community planning group recommends denial of Cottonwood Sand Mine Project
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Valle de Oro Community Planning Group voted unanimously to recommend a denial of the Cottonwood Sand Mine Project to the San Diego County Planning Commission. 'We're here tonight to call action to the community, once again, and fight this thing right to the end,' said Jamul resident Barry Jantz. Residents from Rancho San Diego and the surrounding areas crowded the meeting Tuesday evening, eager to oppose the Cottonwood Sand Mine Project. No public speakers were in favor of the project. Santee resident urges vigilance after porch pirate targets his home The local planning group unanimously decided on sending a letter to the county, recommending denying the project. 'There's a reason that the County of San Diego designated it as open area for recreation,' said local Brian Lorenz. 'They didn't designate it as open area for creating air and noise pollution.' Hundreds of residents have pushed back for more than six years since the sand mine was first proposed. The project involves converting 214 acres of the existing Cottonwood Golf Club property into a 10-year sand mining operation, with an additional two years of clean up and restoring the land. The laundry list of concerns includes the pollution of the environment, noise, traffic, and health as homes and a school border the property. 'If you start to scrape the dirt, especially on a river bed, you're going to find silica and you know the kinds of things that create valley fever, the fungus that creates valley fever,' said concerned resident Elizabeth Urquhart. Representatives for the project, proposed by Michael Schlesinger, declined an interview but provided the following statement: 'The Cottonwood Proposal would ultimately transform a defunct golf course property into 200 acres of permanent, preserved open space for the community to enjoy. In the near-term, it would provide critically-needed sand supplies for housing and infrastructure projects through a phased approach that reduces community concerns around views. Creating a local sand supply at Cottonwood is a win for the San Diego region because it would reduce the increased costs and environmental damage caused by trucking sand in from outside the region and Mexico.' Now, the attention turns to the County Planning Commission as it will have the power to approve or deny this project at a meeting on the morning of April 18. Whether the project is approved or denied, there will likely be an appeal. At that point, the Cottonwood Sand Mine Project would head to the County Board of Supervisors for a final vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
