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Local residents urge Findlay Council to oppose state bills restricting noncitizen property ownership
Summary
A resident asked the council to publicly oppose Ohio House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88, which would restrict certain non‑citizens from buying property near critical infrastructure. The speaker said the measures would discriminate by national origin, harm the local economy and conflict with federal equal‑protection and fair‑housing law.
Lucy Hutchins addressed council about proposed state legislation (House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 88), which she described as banning some legal immigrants from purchasing single‑family homes or property near certain infrastructure. Hutchins said the bills sweep too broadly, risk constitutional and federal Fair Housing Act challenges and would harm Findlay’s employers and families.
Why this matters
Hutchins, who said she is a naturalized U.S. citizen and a Findlay resident, urged the council to consider an open letter opposing the bills and described potential local economic impacts if foreign‑owned facilities were forced to divest or relocate. The mayor said he had already raised the issue with state legislators representing Findlay and invited Hutchins to share her written statement with his office so he could forward it to the sponsors.
Ending
Council did not take an official position at the meeting; the mayor said he would follow up with state legislators and asked for a written copy of Hutchins’ remarks to share with representatives.
