Dozens of Mason residents urge council to oppose Ohio bills HB 1 and SB 88; council to send letter to state lobbyists

Dozens of Mason residents addressed the Mason City Council on June 9 to oppose Ohio House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88, saying the bills would force some lawful visa holders and permanent residents to sell homes and harm Mason’s schools, businesses and civic life.

Speakers at the public-comment portion — including Hong Mei Li, Angela Jeong, Quan Wang, Jinbin Jang, Xian Zhang, Marley Fung and others — described long ties to Mason, family and business contributions, and legal immigration screening. Many urged the council to contact state legislators and ask them to reject or amend the bills.

The comments included specific economic and civil-rights concerns. Angela Jeong, a high school student, said the bills would “result in detrimental impacts on Asian restaurants and small businesses all across Ohio.” Quan Wang, a volunteer with a Chinese-language weekend school, said the measures could shrink enrollment and “threaten the tax revenue that funds our excellent schools and the city services.” Other speakers warned of legal challenges and cited constitutional protections and federal statutes by name, including the equal-protection and due-process clauses and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

City council members acknowledged the testimony and said the city has asked its lobbyists to monitor and respond to developments. Council member Joy Bennett said city staff have drafted a letter for the council’s lobbyists that highlights the economic impact of restricting property purchases. “We have Procter & Gamble that is located here and has thousands of employees that come into Mason,” Bennett said, arguing that the bills could hurt recruitment and local tax revenue. Vice Mayor Chance and other council members expressed support for using the lobbyists and for sending the drafted letter.

Council members and the city manager emphasized that the legislature was still debating the bills and that some council members had been told by legislative contacts that parts of the bills may be unconstitutional. Council member Hackie said he is “absolutely opposed” to the legislation in its current form.

City Manager Eric Hansen told the council the staff will provide the draft letter and that Mason’s lobbyists will use it in their outreach. The council did not take a formal vote on a citywide resolution opposing the bills at the June 9 meeting; instead members directed staff to forward their concerns to the city’s lobbyists and to monitor incoming amendments and hearings.

The public-comments period lasted roughly from about 8:50 p.m. to shortly after 10:00 p.m.; the council moved on to other agenda items after discussing the staff’s planned lobbying step.