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
|
House Bill 480 - Unclaimed Funds Revisions
Representative Michael Dovilla and I recently gave sponsor testimony in the House Tech and Innovation Committee for House Bill 480 - legislation that works to revise the unclaimed funds laws.
Here are two articles that discuss more about unclaimed funds in Ohio, House Bill 480 and what it will do for Ohioans:
House Bill 23 - Create the Escaped Convict Alert Program
The Ohio Senate unanimously passed House Bill 23 - legislation that would create the Escaped Convict Alert Program (ECAP).
The ECAP would be used to alert the public to an incarcerated felon that has escaped from a jail, workhouse or correctional institution. Local law enforcement will be the controlling agency that would activate the ECAP once they are informed of the escape.
House Bill 23 now awaits a concurrent vote from the House.
Property Tax Reform in Ohio
I'm pleased to provide a few updates on the work we have been doing in the House to help lower Ohioan's property taxes.
Since June, we have passed several pieces of legislation to help Ohioans receive much needed property tax relief. Those bills include the following:
HOUSE BILL 186 (passed the House on 10/22):
- House Bill 186 saves Ohio property owners nearly $1.7 billion over the next three years by establishing a new Inflation Cap Credit that prevents increases in school district taxes from exceeding the rate of inflation. The initiative also includes an appropriation that holds Ohio school districts harmless for actual losses over this appraisal period compared to current collections to help schools that are not up for reappraisal or reevaluation this year
HOUSE BILL 335 (passed the House on 10/22):
- House Bill 335 similarly caps increases in inside millage collections to the rate of inflation. The bill requires county budget commissions to adjust the rate of each inside millage levy so that it does not grow by more than the sum of the three previous years of inflation. This happens during the county’s sexennial reappraisal or triennial update. The net effect of this provision totals between $621 million and $763 million in property tax relief over the next three years.
HOUSE BILL 129 (passed the House on 10/8):
- Implements a check on tax hikes by counting emergency, substitute, incremental growth, conversion levies and the property tax portion of combined levies toward the 20-mill floor – closing loopholes & slowing tax spikes.
- Ultimately lifts 237 districts off the 20-mill floor.
HOUSE BILL 309 (passed the House on 10/8):
- Slashes unnecessary collections by expanding the County Budget Commission’s authority to modify levies and trim unnecessarily high millage rates, shielding Ohioans from overly excessive tax bills.
HOUSE BILL 124 (passed the House on 6/4):
- Empowers county auditors to have greater oversight over determining property tax sales information used for determining property valuations.
Our work is not done, and we will continue to fight to 'Stop the Spikes!'
Coca-Cola Ribbon Cutting
 I recently attended a ribbon cutting and tour of the new $35 million Coca-Cola Consolidated facility in Twinsburg, Ohio.
The expanded facility will produce more than 31 million cases of product in 2026 - an increase by six million cases. Products are shipped across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Kentucky.
This investment creates 40 new jobs, bringing the total employment at the facility to over 260 employees!
KinderCare Visit
 I also visited the KinderCare daycare in Barberton, where I discussed workforce issues the Childcare industry is facing and the impacts that House Bill 41- legislation to establish certain child care grant programs - and how that would positively impact daycare programs like KinderCare.
Firefighters Meeting
 Several firefighters from across the state came to Columbus to testify on House Bill 476. Representatives Meredith Craig, David Thomas and I had the opportunity to meet with them while they were at the Statehouse.
I am thankful every day for the brave firefighters and first responders all across Ohio who keep our communities safe. Thank you for your service and for providing testimony on this bill.
BWXT Facility Tour
 I had the opportunity to tour BWXT, which builds nuclear reactors in Barberton.
BWXT is a nuclear solutions manufacturer that builds the systems that power the U.S. Navy’s submarine and aircraft carrier fleet, restores the natural environment at government nuclear sites, supplies the components and fuel for clean energy to power homes and businesses in Canada and around the world, produces life-saving nuclear medicine, and creates reactors and fuels to provide next-generation capabilities for life on Earth and exploration across the universe.
Avid Architects
 Fairlawn Mayor Russell Sharnsky and I recently attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the brand new, 15,000 square-foot, Avid Architects Headquarters in Summit County.
Led by President Randy Parsons, Avid Architects, formerly known as MPG Architects, has been in business for over 50 years, and employs over 30 Ohioans in Summit County. They recently opened their new headquarters, expanding their facility and helping them serve clients not only in northeast Ohio but across the country.
Avid Architects is a full-service architectural and engineering firm that provides design solutions for multi-family, healthcare, industrial, and government sectors.
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.
|
