State Rep. Melanie Miller updates seniors on relevant house bills

MEDINA — State Rep. Melanie Miller, R-Ashland, stopped by Medina County Senior and Adult Services' facility on Wednesday to speak about some of the house bills that have an impact on seniors. Property tax reform is one of the bigger topics the statehouse has tried to tackle lately. Miller said. The state put forth multiple bills in an attempt to provide property tax relief to all Ohioans. The following were created in relation to property tax: A one-time homestead tax credit for anyone who is homestead exemption eligible. House Bill 124 gives county auditors the authority to determine which real estate sales are valid for property reevaluations and updates. House Bill 129 includes emergency levies in the 20-mill floor calculation. House Bill 186 caps outside millage tax increases to the rate of inflation. House Bill 309 gives county budget commission's the ability to modify levies and trim millage rates. House Bill 335 caps inside millage revenue growth to the rate of inflation. "There are still many, many things that we need to work on in regards to property taxes," Miller said. "I want you to know that's a priority of the legislature of the General Assembly, and we will continue working until everybody has the relief needed." Miller also discussed the Never Alone Act, which she sponsored and became law. The bill gives people who are admitted into a hospital, assisted living facility or a memory care facility the right to name an advocate who can be by their side. "An advocate is not a healthcare power of an attorney, but an advocate is a support person," she said. "Let's face it: When you're sick or when you don't understand something, you want to have someone you trust that's going to advocate for your care. When you're not feeling well, sometimes it's hard to make good decisions because you feel horrible, and you want someone there." House Bill 809 is a bill that Miller is sponsoring. It would build on Esther's Law, which allows cameras to be in nursing homes. "If a loved one, this is all permission-based, if they would like to have a camera in the room in assisted living or memory care, that would have the ability to do so," she said. "Now that bill is still a long way from getting across the finish line. It was introduced later in this General Assembly, so it has a lot longer to go." Miller is also sponsoring House Bill 648, which is known as the Elder Act. It would provide standards for virtual currency kiosks with the aim of helping prevent people from getting scammed. "If somebody is a new customer and wants to transfer digital currency, there would be a 72-hour hold," she said. "It would have transaction limits. I mentioned they're requiring and encouraging people to transfer large sums of cash, so this puts a limit on what that can be." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.