Next Town Hall Meeting in October:

Where: Morgan Township Administrative Building

3141 Chapel Rd. Okeana, OH 45053

When: Monday, October 23, 2023 from 5:00-6:00 PM

Summer Survey

As your Representative, it is an honor to serve you. I deeply appreciate hearing your views on state government. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete my summer survey. Your feedback and thoughts are very helpful, and your time is valuable to me. I want to serve District 45 to the best of my ability. Going forward, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if I can ever be of assistance!

Question 1: Are you worried about the rising cost of living?

Question 2: Do you support educational choice?

Question 3: Do you believe Ohio is doing enough to protect every life?

District 45 Events and Updates

Gross Urges Declaration of Major Disaster in East Palestine

Representative Gross sent a letter to President Joe Biden last week to urge a Major Disaster Declaration in East Palestine, Ohio as a result of the trail derailment and hazardous material spill on February 3^rd, 2023.

Along with a Major Disaster Declaration, Gross called on the President to provide for the full removal of contaminated soil and improved monitoring of long-term health impacts.

“This is not a red issue or a blue issue, this is an issue of human lives being severely impacted for no wrongdoing of their own,” wrote Gross in her letter. “It is crucial that more is done to help these citizens get back to their normal lives, they should not be abandoned nor forgotten any longer.”

Representative Gross’ letter was in partnership with the Unity Council for the East Palestine Train Derailment’s advocacy in Washington DC.

Economic Development Project Approved in Southwest Ohio

Representative Gross is pleased to announce that Element Materials Technology Group was awarded funding for new locations, which will result in local economic development and job creation in District 45.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) approved a 1.653 percent, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project located in the City of Fairfield (Butler County) and the City of Blue Ash (Hamilton County), with an estimated value of $705,000. These locations expect to create 65 full-time positions and retain 125 employees, resulting in a $20.3 million economic impact.

“I am very pleased to see job creation and positive economic development throughout the southwest region, and specifically in the 45th House District, through projects like this,” said Gross.

Element Materials Technology Group provides testing, inspection, and certification services on products or services in aerospace, medical, and automotive industries.

The TCA approved assistance for a total of four projects which are expected to create 943 new jobs and retain 160 jobs statewide.

Visit with the Ohio Valley Goodwill

Representative Gross was very thankful for the opportunity to visit the Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Employment and Training Center for a tour and overview of its 107-year mission of service.

The Representative was provided an extensive update on Goodwill’s programs and services for individuals with disabilities, our nation’s veterans, and others experiencing challenges to employment.

The Goodwill President and CEO, Mark Hiemstra, discussed their dedication towards serving military veterans in particular. The organization received a grant from the Veterans’ Administration to serve hundreds of individuals over the next three years, with the goal of expanding service options in the future.

Representative Gross is looking forward to working with the Ohio Valley Goodwill to serve the citizens of Greater Cincinnati!

Rep. Report

I am continuing to work on and have discussions about property tax reform in Ohio. On September 18^th, I will be participating in a tax valuation summit with the Butler County Commissioners. This is a public meeting, and I would like to extend the invitation for you to attend.

Where: Butler County Government Service Center

315 High St. Hamilton, Ohio 45011 - First Floor Conference Room

When: September 18^th at 11:00 AM

Over the last several months, I have met with other government officials to address the steep increase in property valuations, which ultimately increase property taxes. Unfortunately, a provision that would have required the Tax Commissioner to average the last three years of property value rather than only the last year was stripped from the final version of the state operating budget. By averaging the increase over three years, the valuation increase could have been reduced by almost 20%.

The Ohio Department of Tax Equalization approved the value abstract from the Butler County Auditor’s Office. The median residential value increase from the triennial update will be 37 percent. Please see the table below for the breakdown around Butler County. I am extremely disappointed that our immediate valuation relief was removed from the final budget and saddened by the state’s lack of understanding of the affect this will have on you, my constituents in District 45. I hear your concerns and frustrations, and I am not giving up the fight.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office. It is an honor and privilege to serve you!

Respectfully,

Jennifer Gross - District 45