West Lucas News

The Ohio House recently approved State Representative Derek Merrin's legislation aimed at enhancing the clarity of ballot language concerning tax levies and bond issues. The bill, known as House Bill 342, seeks to provide voters with a better understanding of the actual cost implications of tax levies.

Representative Merrin emphasized the importance of transparency in ballot language, stating, “Ballot language must be transparent, clear, and relevant.” He further explained that the legislation ensures that "tax millage is expressed based on $100,000 market value not on $100 taxable value," adding, "Voters should not need to bring a calculator with them to vote."

Under current law, tax levies are described in terms of mills and taxable value, which can be confusing for voters. By basing the expression of tax millage on a reasonable market value of property, the bill aims to simplify the information presented to voters. Representative Merrin highlighted that the media and local governments commonly use a dollar amount based on $100,000 of market value to explain the impact of a levy, but this practice has not been reflected in ballot language.

House Bill 342 has passed the Ohio House and is now awaiting further consideration by the Ohio Senate.