Shows
Sound of IdeasPushback grows to property tax reform bill that would end inside millage | Reporters RoundtableOhioans have told lawmakers they need to do something about increasing property taxes. While a grassroots effort to put a constitutional amendment before voters to abolish property taxes works to collect petition signatures, a number of other bills and proposals are taking shape at the Statehouse.
One of those bills would reduce property tax collections by $3.5 billion is getting pushback. House Bill 335 would eliminate the 1% property tax value that schools and local governments can levy without voter approval. It's known as inside millage.
The bill is sponsored by Republican...2025-06-2051 min
Ohio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasS2:E2 Lame Duck will always be with usIn Episode 2 of our returned podcast I discuss what I have been doing in Columbus since the November 2024 election, the Speaker election, why Lame Duck will always be with us and some of the outcomes from this most recent session, along with the Ashtabula County Auditor's Office transition and what lies ahead to January 6, 2025 and the start of the next Ohio General Assembly. 2024-12-2014 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasThe Podcast is back! With a new focus and role.Join Ashtabula County Auditor and incoming State Representative for Ohio's 65th District David Thomas as he welcomes listeners back to the Ohio's Bios Podcast while cooking up a little lunch. The podcast will be coming back regularly to update you on the insights he is gaining from Columbus, behind the scenes views on the important happenings of today, and a look at who makes our state great! 2024-12-1505 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasE:13 Veterans Service Commission- Ben Schwartfigure Director for Ashtabula CountyIn this episode I speak with Ben Schwartfigure, the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission Director, about the services provided to our community's veterans. From health benefits to housing assistance and work with federal and state agencies, the VSC assists veterans everyday. Many are unaware of the programs VSCs across Ohio provide and the federal and state dollars brought in to counties as a result of their work. Take a listen then learn more about the Veterans Service Commission here: https://www.ashtabulaveterans.com/2023-08-0126 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasE11: Doug Starkey, Ashtabula County Environmental Services DirectorDoug Starkey has served as Director of the Ashtabula County Environmental Services for 3 years in addition to his wealth of local government experiences as Fire Chief and City Manager in the City of Geneva. We discuss his perspective of the challenges local governments and residents face and what he has learned in his decades of leadership for Ashtabula County. From water rates to city councils and everything in-between, you'll get a great sense of the view from an administrative head in a local community. 2023-06-1528 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasE9: Asheesh Agarwal, Advisor to the American Edge Project and Former Federal Trade Commission & Department of Justice Staff MemberAsheesh Agarwal is a former assistant director for the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), staff member at the Department of Justice, and is currently an advisor to the American Edge Project, a coalition of nearly two dozen organizations dedicated to advancing and protecting American innovation and technology. https://americanedgeproject.org/We discuss Asheesh's roles in Washington DC assisting policy to increase business competitiveness and help consumers in addition to his insight for today's technology and information sector. While his background is different from many of our guests, this episode highlights the unique i...2023-05-1531 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasE:8 Alex Iarocci, Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Land BankAlex Iarocci is the Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Landbank, a quasi government non-profit organization housed in the Ashtabula County Treasurer's Office focused on revitalizing abandoned and dilapidated properties. We discuss the economic impacts a Landbank can have on a community, the challenges to being largely grant funded, and future goals of development through a Landbank. Learn more here: www.ashtabulacountylandbank.com/The Ashtabula County Landbank is celebrating its 10th year in existence with a party on Tuesday, May 22nd at 4:30pm at the Ashtabula County Courthouse. All are welcome to learn about the impact the L...2023-05-0130 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasE:7 So my taxes are how much? The Auditor's Role in Property Taxes and ValuesIn this Episode, Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas breaks down the role of County Auditors in property values and taxes for Ohio's residents. Learn the process for valuing properties, how tax rates are determined, and the basis of your tax bill originates. 2023-03-3123 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasE:6 Deb Friedstrom, Plymouth Township Trustee- Fire and Road Departments, Life of a Trustee, Grassroots LeadershpDeb Friedstrom is the Township Trustee for Plymouth Township in Ashtabula County and serves as the Township Association President. We discuss her 14 years as a Township Trustee with lessons of cooperation and communication in addition to struggles of a small township with large expenses. 2023-03-1434 minOhio's Bios- Insights from State Rep. David ThomasE:1 Podcast Launch for Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio Local GovernmentsAshtabula County Auditor David Thomas launches his podcast, Ohio's Bios- Insights from Ohio's Local Governments. This podcast will help shed light on the people behind local government as we learn about the services they provide, challenges and opportunities they face, and why they have a passion in working for you. 2022-12-2804 min
Growing Democracy PodcastSeries 4 Episode 4: Eli Kalil and David Thomas, Ashtabula CountyThis week the podcast continues the series, Serving the Public Interest. Each episode will introduce listeners to elected officials and public administrators who are serving the public interest. This week the podcast welcomes Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas and Eli Kalil, Chair of the Executive Committee for the Ashtabula Democratic Party. The discussion explores public service and civic engagement through the lens of opposing political parties and how both parties are experiencing a youth movement in Ashtabula County.
Links-
Ashtabula County Website - https://www.co.ashtabula.oh.us/
Ashtabula County Auditor - https://auditor.ashtabulacounty.us/dnn
Ashtabula County...2021-01-1841 min