Fellow Ohioans,
It continues to be an honor to serve as your State Representative for Summit County. This month, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with several community partners, visit with students and educators, meet with local businesses, and participate in efforts to strengthen both civic education and public infrastructure. These experiences reinforce why it’s so important we continue working together to move Ohio forward.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. We are here to serve you.
Sincerely,
Bill Roemer
State Representative
District 31
|
Legislative Update
I recently introduced House Bill 480 - legislation that revises the unclaimed funds law in Ohio. The bill simplifies and updates outdated procedures, speeds up the process, promotes the use of technology, and reduces unnecessary burdens for families and small-dollar claimants, all while preserving the Department of Commerce’s authority to safeguard against fraud.
House Bill 259 was voted out of the Ohio House - legislation to designate the Captain Joshua Michael McClimans Memorial Highway. House Bill 259 names a portion of State Route 241 in Green, Ohio in honor of Captain McClimans, a U.S. army veteran who was killed in active duty while deployed in Afghanistan in 2011. Captain McClimans was a registered nurse and played an integral role providing life-saving measures while deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation previously passed unanimously out of the House Transportation Committee in June following testimony from McClimans’ family. The designation aims to honor his service and ensure his legacy lives on in the community he called home. The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
 I also had the opportunity to provide sponsor testimony for two of my bills in Senate Committee. House Bill 210 - legislation that works to control and prevent issues pertaining to stolen catalytic converters. and House Bill 23 - legislation that creates an alert program to increase public safety when a convict escapes from custody, also known as ECAP.
Legislative Awards and Recognition
Ohio Chamber of Commerce Legislator of the Year
I'm honored to share that the Ohio Chamber of Commerce named me Legislator of the Year for the House Majority Caucus for my strong support for Ohio’s business community and leadership on key economic policy initiatives.
It’s truly an honor to receive this recognition from the Ohio Chamber. I’ve always believed that a strong, competitive economy is the foundation for a thriving state. A strong business environment doesn’t just support employers—it benefits Ohio families by creating opportunity and stability. I’m proud to work alongside the business community to make Ohio an even better place to live, work, and grow a business.
As Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, I've worked closely with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to advance legislation that strengthens Ohio’s business climate. My leadership has been especially impactful in the areas of property tax reform and municipal income tax compliance, where he has championed transparency, fairness, and modernization.
District Events
Regional Summit on Workforce and Child Care Solutions
I was honored to attend the Regional Summit on Workforce and Child Care Solutions, where they unveiled the Child Care Credit Program at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This pilot program will split childcare costs among eligible employees (40%), their employers (40%) and the state of Ohio (20%). This program will be a win for our community and a win for Ohio.
May Chen of Akron Inducted into 2025 Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
I had the opportunity to commend May Juan Chen, of Akron, for her induction into the Ohio Department of Aging’s Senior Citizens Hall of Fame at a ceremony held in the Statehouse on Wednesday, September 10th. The Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame honors older Ohioans who exemplify a positive image of aging and have made significant contributions in their professions and communities.
I recognized Chen as one of ten honorees selected for the 2025 Hall of Fame. At 78, Chen was celebrated for her lifelong commitment to uplifting aging communities across northeast Ohio. I’m pleased to recognize May Chen on all her work at the Jin Huo Community Senior Center in Akron. She is a true asset to our community.
Originally from Hong Kong, Chen immigrated to the United States in 1954 and has spent decades building support systems for Ohio’s Asian American and Pacific Islander populations. In 2022, she founded the Jin Huo Community Senior Center in Akron to foster connection among older Asian immigrants.
Chen’s lifelong dedication has been recognized through numerous honors. She was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in 2020 and, in 2021, earned an appointment to Akron’s Commission on Aging. In 2023, Chen received the Building Global Bridges Award from Global Cleveland. Most recently, she was honored with the Culture and Language Ambassador Award from the Global Ambassadors Language Academy.
At the ceremony, 18 members of the General Assembly had the distinct honor of representing 10 remarkable Ohioans inducted into the 2025 Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. These honorees come from diverse communities across the state, including Akron, Cleveland Heights, Columbus, Dayton, Northwood, The Plains, Whipple, and Youngstown.
Tour of the Skilled Nursing Facility in Copley
 Thank you to the Copley Healthcare Center for giving me a tour of their incredible skilled nursing facility. We met to discuss the current landscape surrounding skilled nursing facilities.
Leipold Tire's 50th Anniversary
 Congratulations to Leipold Tire on 50 years in business! I was able to stop by and present them with a commendation honoring this milestone and thank them for their service to our community.
School Fitness Challenge with Lt. Governor Tressel
 As a former coach myself, I understand the importance of physical fitness on the mind, body and overall health. Thank you, Lt. Governor Tressel, for all the work you are doing to encourage our younger Ohioans to learn healthy habits now!
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work to strengthen our communities, support our students, and honor the values that have shaped our state and nation. If you ever need assistance with a state issue or have feedback on legislative matters, please reach out to my office.
|
