Bill Roemer | |
|---|---|
| Member of the OhioHouseofRepresentatives from the 31st district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Marilyn Slaby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 21,1956 Akron,Ohio,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Richfield,Ohio,U.S. |
| Alma mater | Case Western Reserve University |
William (Bill) Roemer (born August 21,1956) is a member of the Ohio House of Representatives,since 2019,representing the 31st district. The district encompasses the majority of western and northern Summit county. A Republican,he is serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives.
Roemer championed the PACE Act in 2022,expanding Medicaid‑managed long‑term care services in the home for seniors;a cost‑saving measure supported by ARPA funding. [1] He was also the primary sponsor of the unused drug donation bill (H.B. 558) to improve medicine access for uninsured patients. [2] [3]
Roemer sponsored the E‑Check Ease Act (H.B. 640 / H.B. 115),creating an alternative emissions compliance pathway. It allows Ohio drivers to submit a signed affidavit affirming their vehicle meets emission standards instead of undergoing biennial tests,reducing burden on residents and saving the state an estimated $12 million annually. [4]
Roemer co‑authored H.B. 335,a sweeping property tax relief measure projected to provide roughly $3.5 billion in relief statewide. It limits annual increases in school district levies without voter approval,establishes new homeowner tax credits tied to valuation hikes,and empowers local governments to expand homestead exemptions while increasing transparency in levy spending. [5] In 2023,he chaired the passage of the Ohio Homeowners Relief Act (H.B. 187) to have auditors calculate property valuations based on a three‑year average,intended to mitigate volatility. [6]
Roemer introduced H.B. 41,establishing a state‑funded child care grant program and employer toolkit aimed at expanding affordable,quality on‑site or near‑site child care solutions—supporting workforce participation. [7]
Roemer introduced H.B. 23 and later reintroduced H.B. 677,known as the "Escaped Convict Alert Program," requiring law enforcement to notify the public when a felon escapes custody,via radio,TV or other broadcasts. It would also include enforcement penalties for noncompliant agencies,aiming to enhance public safety. [8]
Roemer helped secure $31 million in state funds to support the Greater Akron Innovation Hub,focused on the region’s polymer and advanced materials sector,with additional federal and private investment,aiming to create STEM jobs and attract R&D capital. [9]
In 2019,Roemer voted in favor of Ohio Senate Bill 23,commonly referred to as the "Heartbeat Bill," which prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detectable,typically around six weeks into pregnancy. The legislation does not include exceptions for rape or incest and was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine on April 11,2019. [10]
In 2023,Representative Bill Roemer voted in favor of Ohio’s biennial budget (HB 33),which excluded provisions for universal free school meals. [11] The budget did expand access to free lunches for students who previously qualified for reduced-price meals,but it fell short of covering all public school children regardless of income. Roemer’s vote aligned with Ohio GOP leaders,who opposed universal meal funding on the grounds of cost and scope. [12] Child nutrition advocates argue that excluding universal meals perpetuates stigma and food insecurity for students just above the poverty line. [13]
In 2023,Roemer voted for Ohio House Bill 100 (135th GA),which prohibits landlords,condominium associations,and homeowners’associations from banning the display of the "thin blue line" flag. [14]
In 2024,Roemer supported Ohio Senate Bill 104,known as the "Protect All Students Act." The law requires that multi-occupancy restrooms,locker rooms,and overnight accommodations in public K–12 schools and higher education institutions be designated based on biological sex assigned at birth. Governor DeWine signed the bill into law on November 27,2024. [15]
Roemer voted in favor of Ohio House Bill 68,which bans gender-affirming medical care for minors and restricts transgender girls from participating in female school sports. Although the bill was initially vetoed by Governor DeWine in December 2023,the Ohio General Assembly overrode the veto in January 2024. [16]
In the aftermath of the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history—centered around former Speaker Larry Householder and the $60 million bribery scheme tied to House Bill 6 (HB6)—Rep,Bill Roemer came under scrutiny for his alignment with key parts of the legislative agenda that prosecutors argued were influenced by dark money from FirstEnergy. See Ohio nuclear bribery scandal.
According to campaign finance records analyzed by multiple watchdog organizations,Roemer received over $200,000 in contributions linked to political action committees and donors that were directly or indirectly funded by FirstEnergy during the period surrounding the passage and defense of HB6. [17] [18]
Roemer also voted in favor of HB6,which provided a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout to two nuclear power plants previously owned by a FirstEnergy subsidiary. [19]
While Roemer was not charged with any crime,critics noted that his votes and campaign funding patterns mirrored those of lawmakers who were later indicted. Ethics groups have called for greater transparency in legislative influence tied to utility-backed contributions. [20]
On November 5,2024,during the general election,Roemer was involved in an incident at a polling place in Cuyahoga Falls,Ohio. According to reports,Roemer was accused of causing a disturbance and yelling at an 82-year-old poll worker. Law enforcement documents indicated that Roemer was "disrespectful" and created a scene at the polling location. The incident was reported to local authorities,and Roemer later addressed the situation publicly. [21]
In 2010,Roemer ran for Summit County Council at large and was successful. He served 4 years and then,in 2015 ran for the Summit Educational Services Center Board of Governors winning the election. In 2016,Roemer ran for Summit County Executive,but lost. [22] Two years later when state Representative Marilyn Slaby announced that she would not seek reelection,Roemer announced his candidacy for her state House seat. [23] He would easily win the seat against Democrat Elliott Kolkovich with 58% of the vote. [24]
Prior to the 2022 election cycle,Roemer’s district boundaries were part of legislative maps drawn during redistricting cycles that independent analysts and court filings had criticized for partisan skew. Reports from nonpartisan watchdog organizations identified Ohio’s state legislative districts as among the most gerrymandered in the country during the 2010s,with numerous districts designed in ways that favored incumbents and one-party control. [25] [26]
In the lead-up to the 2022 election cycle,Ohio’s legislative district maps —including the one encompassing Roemer’s seat —were subject to multiple legal challenges. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the maps violated the state constitution due to partisan bias favoring Republicans. Despite the ruling,the contested maps remained in place for the 2022 elections,including in Roemer’s district. [27] [28]
The 2024 general election was conducted under new legislative maps approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission in September 2023,which were upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court in November 2023. [29] [30]
In 2020,he handily defeated fellow Richfield resident Democrat Joe Campbell 61% to 39% and,in 2022,defeated Rita Darrow 52% to 48%. [31] [32] In 2024,Roemer defeated Democratic candidate A.J. Harris 53% to 47% securing his fourth and final term in the Ohio Statehouse of Representatives [33]
He serves as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee,served as cochairman of the Joint committee on Property Tax Review and Reform and then serves as a member on Finance,Public Insurance and Pensions,Medicaid,and the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee. During his time in the House,Roemer has had several bills passed into law primarily dealing with healthcare,taxation,and regulatory reform.
In 2022,Roemer passed the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Act. PACE is a managed care model that provides participants with needed medical care in multiple settings. The PACE Act will expand Medicaid to ensure the elderly can stay in their homes and have more options to save on burdensome costs for their care. [34] Among his many accomplishments,Roemer was also the primary sponsor of HB 558 allowing for unused prescription drugs to be safely donated by end users to charitable pharmacies and non-profit clinics. This enables Ohioans to cut down on drug waste and improve access to life-saving medications for uninsured and underinsured patients. [35] In 2025,Roemer passed Internal Revenue Code changes which was tax conformity legislation that made changes to federal tax law. [36]
Roemer has been on the receiving end of numerous awards and distinctions for his exemplary state service,including:the David C. Rinebolt Community Service Award,the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award,Ohio Society of CPAs Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award,LeadingAge Public Service Award,Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging's Legislator of the Year Award,Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS' #HomeforAll Award. [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] ,CHC Presidents Award,Children's Champion Award,and the Case Western Reserve Distinguished Alumni Award.
Roemer has also earned the Glenn (Speed) Bosworth Award and was inducted into the summit county baseball hall of fame for his hard work,dedication and leadership in the sport of baseball.
Roemer has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Case Western Reserve University,where he graduated summa cum laude. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Weatherhead School of Management of Case Western Reserve University. He is a former instructor of finance at Myers University.
Roemer is a retired AT&T sales director and a Certified Public Accountant,who previously worked in regulatory accounting. Rep Roemer is married to Josie Roemer,a member of Summit ESC,and resides in Richfield with his family. [42] [43]
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