COLUMBUS, OH - According to reports, the Ohio legislature is considering a pension reform bill designed to help relieve police understaffing. Although it has passed the Ohio House, the bill faces an uncertain future in the State Senate.
As reported by News5 Cleveland, House Bill 296 passed in the Ohio House on Wednesday to address a funding shortfall in The Ohio Police and Fire Pension which must be reformed before it is forced to cut benefits.
Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald told the news station, “If we don't have that strong and secure retirement, we're not gonna be able to get our best and brightest to join this profession when we need them the most.”
The bill as introduced by Republican state Reps. Cindy Abrams and Thomas Hall would close the gap by increasing employer contributions and forcing an increase in input from city budgets from 19.5% to 24% over the next six years. However, the increases are not one-sided, and employee contributions will also increase from 12.25% to 12.5% in 2030.
Republican Ohio State Representative Josh Williams shared a post to X supporting the bill. He wrote, “I was proud to co-sponsor H.B. 296, aimed at increasing employer contributions for Ohio’s police pension program. Supporting our police is vital to keeping our communities safe!”
McDonald, who also serves as Chief of Police in Marion, OH warned that the House which passed the bill in a bipartisan 66-25 vote, was the easy part. He warned that in the Senate, “They're pulling out the stops to try to stop this bill.” The bill will be considered in coming weeks and leaders from a dozen municipalities have reportedly descended upon Columbus in an effort to defeat it.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz objected to the bill telling News5, “This bill would devastate public safety in our communities. It would cause police and firefighters to be paid less well, and it would cause there to be fewer of them.”
Tony Long with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce made a statement emphasizing the burden to the taxpayers, saying, “Unless taxpayers are willing to increase contributions for the employer side, then there won't be enough police force for some cities that are already struggling to find enough cadets for their police classes.”
The Ohio Mayors Alliance released a statement reported by The Journal-News arguing that cities will need to raise taxes, calling the bill an “unfunded mandate.”
“Unless local governments raise taxes, and absent any state support to offset this significant unfunded mandate, communities across Ohio will have $81.9 million less each year to hire more police officers, increase wages for first responders, and support the current public safety needs of our cities,” the statement read.
As reported by News5 Cleveland, House Bill 296 passed in the Ohio House on Wednesday to address a funding shortfall in The Ohio Police and Fire Pension which must be reformed before it is forced to cut benefits.
Ohio Fraternal Order of Police President Jay McDonald told the news station, “If we don't have that strong and secure retirement, we're not gonna be able to get our best and brightest to join this profession when we need them the most.”
The bill as introduced by Republican state Reps. Cindy Abrams and Thomas Hall would close the gap by increasing employer contributions and forcing an increase in input from city budgets from 19.5% to 24% over the next six years. However, the increases are not one-sided, and employee contributions will also increase from 12.25% to 12.5% in 2030.
Republican Ohio State Representative Josh Williams shared a post to X supporting the bill. He wrote, “I was proud to co-sponsor H.B. 296, aimed at increasing employer contributions for Ohio’s police pension program. Supporting our police is vital to keeping our communities safe!”
I was proud to co-sponsor H.B. 296, aimed at increasing employer contributions for Ohio’s police pension program.
— Representative Josh Williams (@JoshWilliamsOH) December 5, 2024
Supporting our police is vital to keeping our communities safe! pic.twitter.com/Mx2La0anQj
McDonald, who also serves as Chief of Police in Marion, OH warned that the House which passed the bill in a bipartisan 66-25 vote, was the easy part. He warned that in the Senate, “They're pulling out the stops to try to stop this bill.” The bill will be considered in coming weeks and leaders from a dozen municipalities have reportedly descended upon Columbus in an effort to defeat it.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz objected to the bill telling News5, “This bill would devastate public safety in our communities. It would cause police and firefighters to be paid less well, and it would cause there to be fewer of them.”
Tony Long with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce made a statement emphasizing the burden to the taxpayers, saying, “Unless taxpayers are willing to increase contributions for the employer side, then there won't be enough police force for some cities that are already struggling to find enough cadets for their police classes.”
The Ohio Mayors Alliance released a statement reported by The Journal-News arguing that cities will need to raise taxes, calling the bill an “unfunded mandate.”
“Unless local governments raise taxes, and absent any state support to offset this significant unfunded mandate, communities across Ohio will have $81.9 million less each year to hire more police officers, increase wages for first responders, and support the current public safety needs of our cities,” the statement read.
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