Rep. Tristan Rader

Today, Governor DeWine announced a temporary suspension of the sales tax exemption for data centers. This seems like a positive step in the right direction, but it is not nearly enough. Governor DeWine never should have reinstated this exemption in the first place after it was eliminated in last year’s budget.

Ohioans are tired of a tax system that shifts the burden onto working families while the wealthiest continue to receive special treatment. Our schools, roads, libraries, and public services depend on everyone paying their fair share, and this exemption should be permanently repealed.

“Nothing about us without us.”

I’m proud to partner with Rep. Mike odioso on a bipartisan resolution encouraging every County Board of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio to look at the Leadership Council model pioneered by the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

The idea is simple: people who receive services should have a real voice in shaping those services.

Cuyahoga DD’s Leadership Council is made up of self-advocates with developmental disabilities who provide feedback on programs, accessibility, services, technology, advocacy, and community partnerships. Their motto says it best: “If it’s for us, bring it before us.”

This resolution was shaped in that same spirit, with input from the Leadership Council, self-advocates, people served by county boards of developmental disabilities, and the folks who support this work every day.

This is about dignity, self-advocacy, and better government. When people closest to the issue help lead the conversation, we make better decisions.

Ohio should lift up this model and help it grow across the state.

House Bill 854 would make public college and trade school tuition-free in Ohio.

We already believe every child deserves tuition-free public education through K-12. So why do we suddenly stop believing in public education the moment a student graduates high school?

That makes no sense.

In the richest country in the history of the world, students should not have to go into massive debt just to become nurses, teachers, engineers, electricians, or skilled tradespeople.

There always seems to be money for corporate handouts and tax breaks for the wealthy. But when it comes to helping students afford an education, suddenly politicians say we “can’t afford it.”

Enough.

If we believe in public education, then we should believe in it beyond K-12 too.

Proud to introduce this legislation alongside Rep. Munira Abdullahi

Today, the City has rejected the permit for the data center proposed at 3560 E. 55th St. in the Slavic Village neighborhood.

Right in my office at the Ohio Statehouse, we got a firsthand demonstration of plug-in balcony solar and watched the panel generate electricity right there in the window. It was a great reminder of just how lightweight, affordable, and accessible this technology can be for everyday Ohioans.

We didn’t plug it in because current Ohio law still prevents people from using these systems here, even with proper safety safeguards in place. That’s exactly why House Bill 755 is so important. This legislation would help open the door for renters, condo owners, and homeowners alike to safely generate some of their own power and lower their energy bills.

Pictured with me are Rep. Chris Glassburner and Mryia Williams from Solar United Neighbors, helping demonstrate how simple and practical balcony solar can be.