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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill would increase Ohio minimum wage to $15 by 2029
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A new bill proposed at the Ohio Statehouse would increase the state's minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next four years. Senate Bill 234, introduced by Sen. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), would gradually phase in the minimum wage increase between 2026 and 2029. The legislation was co-sponsored by five other lawmakers — all Democrats. The state's minimum wage would increase to $12 per hour beginning Jan. 1 and would increase by $1 each year, reaching $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2029. Starting on Sept. 30, 2029, the director of commerce would adjust the rate annually, which would take effect the following Jan. 1. The bill would also eliminate the tipped employee minimum wage, requiring all workers to earn the same minimum wage. 'This bill is about creating an economy that works for Ohio families, instead of one where minimum wage and tipped workers are working 60 hours a week to cover basic expenses,' Smith said in a statement. 'By ending the subminimum wage penalty and raising the minimum wage, we will alleviate poverty, grow our economy, and empower working Ohioans.' Ohio's current minimum wage is $10.70 per hour and $5.35 per hour for tipped employees. A constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2006 requires the minimum wage to be increased based on inflation. 'This bill is rooted in economic stability, fairness, and long-term prosperity,' Craig said in a statement. 'Our job is to put people first, which means raising the wage floor. As of January 1, 2020, more than half of all states and Washington, D.C., have a higher minimum wage than Ohio, and of the 27 states ahead of us, nearly a dozen are already above $15 an hour. Ohio can't afford to fall behind.' The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, as is the state's minimum wage for companies with gross receipts smaller than $394,000. A recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio found full time workers must earn at least $22.51 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Ohio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Marijuana generates nearly $1 billion in taxes in Ohio. Now figuring out how to spend it.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Recreational marijuana sales were made legal a year ago this week and since then, Ohio has collected nearly $1 billion in taxes from those sales. State lawmakers are working to find ways to spend that money. Last week, new legislation was introduced that has lawmakers talking about what would be the most effective way to allocate tax revenue from Ohio's growing cannabis industry. The new legislation, Senate Bill 240, would let counties impose a local cannabis tax and use that money for community, culture, and entertainment projects. Ohio's recreational marijuana sales double medical sales, per daily averages One of the bill's sponsors, Ohio Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), said the legislation is an effort to maintain the spirit of what voters passed, referring to 2023's Issue 2. 'Where there are taxing provisions like this one with the arts, that can have meaningful community benefit,' Craig said. 'I think the public could be in agreement with that.' One caveat to Senate Bill 240 is that the taxing provisions would only go into effect if the residents voted for it. 'I think this is an opportunity if the counties and the municipalities, if they choose to do it,' Craig said. A competing bill looks to reallocate 36% of the tax revenue to a general revenue fund. Senate Bill 56 would give lawmakers control of where that money goes. It also calls for further regulations, including decreasing THC levels. Wedding chimes bong for Ohio couple getting married at cannabis festival 'The thought process is to put it in the general revenue, is to make it fluid that we could, you know, there's been proposals out there that we should put a certain percent towards county jails and certain percent to law enforcement training and stuff like that,' Senate Bill 56 sponsor, Ohio Sen. Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), said. Huffman points out that even though Senate Bill 240 would give voters the option for the additional tax, it may drive marijuana users out of Ohio for their next purchase. 'With all these taxes, we're dancing a very fine line of driving people, one, to the illicit market, and number two, out of state,' he said. 'The current plan with the senate and the house is to keep the tax rate the same, which is 10%, which is important.' Darius Walters is a part of the staff at Nar Reserve, a dispensary. He criticized both bills, citing many users may have different ideas of where that money should be distributed overall. 'Definitely an education and some school fund, roads, any type of community-based scholarship or grant, or for small businesses expand,' Walters said. 'So that the average person, the everyday person, can take advantage of it.' Ohio State soccer player back on field after being shot He also expressed understanding of the process and is hopeful there will be room for lawmakers to come together and reach an outcome that serves everyone. 'There's definitely a happy medium or a balance when it comes to the taxes and them being able to have a general fund for different things because it can't necessarily be a bad thing to at least be able to access the funds,' Walters said. Both Huffman and Craig said they look forward to further discussing both pieces of legislation later in the year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bipartisan bill would offer legal support for Ohioans facing eviction
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A bipartisan bill would offer state funding for legal costs to low-income Ohioans facing eviction, an issue of great concern in Franklin County. Sponsored by State Sens. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) and Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus), Senate Bill 83 would revise eviction and property laws in Ohio to assist households facing eviction. The bill would establish a legal services housing defense fund to finance legal services to eligible Ohioans, bringing more direct state support for residents in eviction hearings. According to the Eviction Lab, eviction is a prevailing concern in Franklin County. There have been more than 100,000 eviction filings in Franklin County in the past five years, 25% of which occurred in the past year alone. What to know as Canada geese nest across central Ohio Franklin County evictions noticeably increased after COVID-19. According to the Eviction Lab, evictions from the past year are 39% higher than average eviction filings before COVID-19. Further, data shows the eviction crisis is likely to worsen as pandemic-era federal funding runs out. See previous coverage of eviction concerns in the video player above. Senate Bill 83 wants to reduce barriers for Ohioans facing eviction. The new state fund would cover legal costs for eligible households, or households with an established annual income under 300% of the federal poverty level. Poverty levels vary by household size, but a four-person home would be eligible if it makes less than $96,450 annually. The bill would also allow parties involved in eviction filings to request nonbinding mediation to help come to an understanding. To help protect tenants' rights, any eviction notice would have to include the right to free legal representation and information on how to see if they are eligible. S.B. 83 would keep all associated records private until an eviction was formalized. Any eviction case documents could also be removed from public record if both parties agree to it. In those cases, only authorized judicial staff, parties directly involved in the case or someone with a court order could access the records. What's new and coming soon at Easton Town Center The bill would also adjust property and inspection laws. Under S.B. 83, any property transaction would need to provide proof the involved parties are real people before the county auditor would endorse the sale. Building code enforcement certification would also have to be 'as accessible as possible' without compromising safety. Finally, S.B. 83 would require inspections of construction projects within 30 days of receiving a plan review or inspection request. Local building boards would also have to publish a list of approved and certified third-party inspectors. 'How we resolve the housing crisis impacts our future economic development and the strength of our schools and local governments,' Craig said. S.B. 83 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee in February but has not had hearings since. The program would require the General Assembly to allocate funding to the bill, and it could emerge in ongoing Senate discussions of Ohio's biennial budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
