Joseph A. Miller, III News

COLUMBUS – State Representative Derek Merrin’s (R-Monclova) House Bill 140, which will help voters better understand levy issues on a ballot, has been signed into law Tuesday.

Ohio House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) appointed State Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee for the 134th General Assembly. 

State Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) introduced the “Anthony Dia Act,” to expand the Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund to ensure Anthony Dia’s sons qualify to receive a waiver to cover their college tuition and fees in Ohio. Currently, the fund provides tuition and fee waivers to spouses and children of police officers, fire fighters, and US armed forces service members killed in the line of duty, if they remain Ohio residents. 

State Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) announces Ohio’s annual sales tax holiday will be happening for consumers across the state from Aug. 7-9. The holiday marks the weekend where Ohioans will not have to pay state sales and use taxes on clothing items, school supplies and school instructional materials up to a certain price. Merrin was a cosponsor of Senate Bill 226 from the 132^nd General Assembly, which made the sales tax holiday permanent.

State Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) announces that the State Controlling Board recently approved coronavirus relief funding to support local schools preparing for the beginning of the upcoming school year. 

State Rep. Derek Merrin’s (R-Monclova) sponsored legislation, the Unclaimed Funds Reform Act, makes substantial changes to how the unclaimed funds system in Ohio operates. The comprehensive legislation earned bipartisan praise and passed unanimously in the Ohio House.

State Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) today introduced a fiscally-responsible capital reappropriations bill.

State Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) is encouraging small business owners across Fulton and Lucas counties to submit their story of how they’ve been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ohio 2020 Economic Recovery Task Force is launching the initiative to help further understand the magnitude of the coronavirus on Ohio’s economy. 

State Rep. Derek Merrin’s (R-Monclova) legislation, House Bill 150, passed in the Ohio House today by a 93-3 vote. The bill provides meaningful tax relief to new banks starting across the state. For the first three years, banks will be exempted from the Financial Institutions Tax and likely receive an annual tax savings ranging from $100,000 to $400,000.

A state initiative to support local farmers and minimize phosphorus runoff in Ohio’s waterways is welcome news for the region, State Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova) said today.

COLUMBUS – State Representative Joe Miller (D-Amherst) announced this week the passage of House Bill (H.B.) 614, legislation that allocates a total of $650 million in federal CARES Act relief funds for local governments in Ohio. The funds are to be used to offset costs faced by local governments directly caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Previously approved by the Ohio Senate, the bill now heads to the Governor’s desk.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) announced today that Carvana, in partnership with Lorain County Community Development, Team NEO and JobsOhio, will expand their operations by building a 200,000-square-foot facility in Lorain County. The company expects to invest $23 million and hire 400 new employees, representing an estimated $13 million payroll.  

COLUMBUS – Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) announced the state Controlling Board has approved another round of federal funding to support Ohio’s efforts to control the COVID-19 outbreak as school districts prepare for fall semester.

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and House Democrats Tuesday sent a letter to Secretary of State Frank LaRose addressing recent major developments in Ohio’s elections. Ohioans watched last week as Post Office mailboxes and processing machinery were dismantled and removed in Ohio and across the country. Following national outcry over potential election interference, USPS has said they would halt additional reorganization changes until after the November election, but it is still unclear whether the reductions in service and processing will be undone.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) announced Ohio schools may begin applying for the new BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant beginning today, Monday, August 10. A total of $50 million will be allocated to expand high-speed internet access for Ohio students utilizing remote learning during the COVID crisis by providing hotspots and internet-enabled devices to students.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) today issued a statement in honor of “Ohio Military Family Month,” which recognizes the unique sacrifices of Ohio’s military families.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) issueda statement today as the Ohio House voted unanimously to strip Larry Householder (R-Glenford) of his role as Speaker of the House. Householder and four associates were indicted by a federal grand jury today amid an ongoing FBI criminal investigation into his connection to an alleged $60 million public corruption and bribery scheme—the largest in state history.

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) announced Monday the state Controlling Board approved another round of funding to support Ohio’s efforts to control the COVID-19 outbreak.

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Joe Miller (D-Amherst), Thomas West (D-Canton) and Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) have introduced two related bills that would tackle key issues surrounding police departments in Ohio. The legislation would ultimately allow the chief of police of a municipal corporation to conduct training schools for prospective law enforcement officers. The goal is to create a new unclassified position called “cadets” within the police department, allow for exceptional appointment of candidates with ideal qualifications and resolve any issues regarding lateral transfers within statutory cities.  

House Democrats today voted against House Bill 425, a GOP-backed bill that would modify concealed carry laws, eliminating the requirement for licensees to promptly notify law enforcement of their permit and if they are carrying. The bill also eliminates penalties for failure to notify, which opponents say will lead to confusion and potentially dangerous escalation—especially for people of color.