Legislation Helping Lake County Schools Amid Power Plant Closure Signed into Law

Legislation that will help Lake County schools has been signed into law, State Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord) announced today.

A major provision included in the legislation would help Perry Local and other school districts around the state with power plants that have shut down or devalued. Under House Bill 164, those that have experienced a 10 percent or more decrease in utility tangible personal property tax would receive additional state support.

“This is a very important funding issue for Perry Local that was important to get done,” Callender said.

The Ohio Legislative Service Commission estimates that under the bill, Perry Local would receive an additional $1,055,667 for the current school year, which ends June 30.

The legislation also supports school districts facing disproportionately large cuts in state aid as a result of the governor’s budget cuts. The legislation will benefit Kirtland, Mentor, Riverside and Perry in Lake County. The bill ensures no district in Ohio will have a state aid reduction of more than 6 percent.

Last week, Callender voted to support House Bill 164 when it passed the in the chamber by a vote of 90-3 before making its way to the Governor’s desk.