Solon Politician Opposes Legislation Cutting Local Revenue

SOLON, OH — Solon's state representative voted to oppose House Bill 157, which would prohibit cities collecting income taxes from workers who aren't physically inside city or village limits.

House Bill 157 passed through the Ohio House this week, despite opposition from Democrats. The legislation effectively prevents municipalities from collecting taxes from workers who are working from home, but normally work from offices within that city. Implementing House Bill 157 could put many Ohio cities in a budgetary bind, Democrats argued.

“Mayors and local council members from both parties have reached out to me in opposition to HB 157. They have told me how this legislation will seriously hurt their communities by bringing revenue instability and could lead to tough budget choices compounding the struggles they are already facing from COVID-19," said state Rep. Phil Robinson, a Democrat from Solon.

Robinson advocated instead for House Bill 264, which extends COVID-19 relief and income tax provisions through the end of the 2022 financial year.

"I don’t want our communities making choices between their fire fighters versus their police. Our local governments are on the frontlines of addressing the pandemic and its repercussions. How can we ignore their concerns and leave them with one hand tied behind their back trying to maintain essential services?” Robinson asked.