Click, Mathews Introduce Legislation to Better Manage Waste in Ohio

COLUMBUS - Representatives Gary Click (R- Vickery) and Ty Mathews (R-Findlay) are introducing legislation to address the issue of solid waste management in the state. 

The legislation, which is a companion bill to Senate Bill 147 introduced by Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), will empower counties to act in the best interest of constituents without pleading for permission from surrounding counties.  It will also create an orderly process to withdraw, distribute the resources equitably and initiate a new solid waste district better suited to meet the needs of their citizens. 

"If we don’t take action with responsible legislation, Ohio could earn the unfortunate reputation of being the 'Trash State,' and that’s not something we can allow,” said Mathews. “Other states have decided they don’t want to deal with their own waste, it is unacceptable to think Ohio wants it."

The current structure of solid waste districts in Ohio is cumbersome and prevents local elected officials and county boards of health from being nimble in their response, supervision, inspection and regulation of out-of-state waste companies who prey on these small-town inefficiencies. 

“The representation of the citizens of Fostoria in Seneca County is disproportionately low in relation to the vast impact that the landfill has on their community,” said Click. “My constituents have said ‘Enough is enough.’ No trashification without representation.”

The bill awaits a number and committee assignment.