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Property tax cuts are in the spotlight

Local Columns

Finding ways to reduce skyrocketing property taxes that occurred in Ohio during the past couple of years is a top priority for the Republican-controlled state Legislature. It’s a difficult balancing act as property owners are screaming for tax relief while public school districts, which get most of those tax dollars, say reductions will severely impact education. For the most part, Republicans are siding with property owners though there have been a few bills introduced that would have minimal or no impact on school districts and other government entities that rely on property ...

Focus policies on the future of West Virginia

Editorial

Gov. Patrick Morrisey has been on quite a tour over the past few weeks as he signs legislation, makes important announcements and listens in communities all over the state. Here’s hoping he is using those visits to gain an honest understanding of where West Virginia stands against our competition in an economic Backyard Brawl. There has been little public discussion of that as of late, so let’s hope that initiative has not been placed on the back-burner. While there are bright spots here and there, for the most part the Mountain State’s communities and counties are struggling. ...

Numbers say Ohio ‘weak’ at policies on teaching math

Editorial

Teachers and administrators across Ohio have done an excellent job implementing the science of reading curriculum. But according to a report by the National Council on Teacher Quality, it’s time to focus on math, too. According to the Ohio Capital Journal, the report placed Ohio among the 25 receiving a “weak” rating for policies to strengthen elementary teachers’ math instruction. At least we were not among the seven states receiving an “unacceptable” rating. But for purposes of this report, the council was looking for these policies: set specific, detailed math standards ...

The state just might be holding some of your unclaimed funds

Editorial

Nothing spurs Ohioans to action like sports fandom — or, at least, it’s tempting to leap to that conclusion after a report that visits to the state’s unclaimed funds website skyrocketed after lawmakers suggested paying for a new Cleveland Browns stadium with some of that money. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, there is approximately $4.8 billion of Ohioans’ money sitting unclaimed, with some Republicans in the state Senate wanting to spend approximately $1.7 billion of what has been unclaimed for at least 10 years on sports and cultural projects. That would mean $600 ...

Lawmakers try to pull one over on Ohioans

Editorial

In a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, Ohio lawmakers appear to be hoping residents won’t notice what they slipped into House Bill 96 on Tuesday afternoon. While some of them tout efforts to reduce and reform other taxes, they may be hoping to make up some of the difference by collecting what the Office of Budget and Management estimates to be more than $100 million in new ones. When the state Senate Finance Committee adopted their substitute version of HB 96, it included the repealing of sales and use tax exemptions for rental payments for motor vehicles provided to the ...

Let us reflect on the significance of D-Day

Editorial

“You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.” — General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, addressing troops prior to Operation Overload One of the greatest military achievements ever occurred 81 years ago today. Code named Operation Neptune — the Naval component of Operation Overlord — and usually referred to as D-Day, June 6, 1944 is when the largest seaborne invasion in history began . D-Day was a massive invasion of Allied forces against the Nazi tyranny. Planning began in 1943. Think ...