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Akron rules committee backs resolution opposing Ohio House Bill 335
Summary
The Rules Committee voted to suspend rules and send a resolution to full council opposing Ohio House Bill 335, which sponsors said would eliminate certain "inside millage" funding streams that support local services and schools.
The Rules Committee of the Akron City Council voted to suspend the committee rules and forward a resolution opposing Ohio General Assembly House Bill 335 to the full council.
Councilman Jeff Fusco, the sponsor, told the committee the bill would eliminate what he described as the "inside millage" — a constitutionally authorized property tax authority that, he said, allows cities, schools and certain county agencies to raise revenue without a voter referendum. "I don't understand how it could even become law if it's in the Ohio constitution," Fusco said, urging the committee to send a message to the statehouse against the bill.
Fusco said the measure could have a serious local impact. He said, pending more precise city data, he had heard an estimate of "almost $40,000,000" in potential losses for the city of Akron. He also cited statewide estimates, attributing them to the Ohio Education Policy Institute: "Statewide total would be, about 2,000,000,000," and that as many as "100,000" full-time teachers statewide could be affected and that roughly "20,000" teaching positions could be eliminated in the worst case.
Committee Chair McKittrick called for a motion to suspend the rules with a favorable report; committee members voted in favor with no recorded opposition. The committee clerk, Bibiano, confirmed the measure will be transmitted to full council the same evening.
The committee record shows the item was introduced and the sponsor requested expedited handling so the council's position could be communicated promptly to the Ohio General Assembly; no final action at full council is recorded in the committee transcript.
Details the sponsor attributed to state sources — including the Ohio Legislative Service Commission and the Ohio Education Policy Institute — were discussed in the committee but the transcript shows Fusco was awaiting additional, Akron-specific fiscal figures that he had requested from staff and hoped to receive later that day.
