Five things to know for Monday, Jan. 12

Bill would eliminate five-year limit on municipal income tax net operating loss carryforwards

State Rep. Steve Demetriou, R-Bainbridge Twp., has introduced legislation to eliminate the state’s five-year limitation on net operating loss carryforwards for municipal income taxes. As proposed, the measure would make Ohio municipal income tax policy more closely align with how federal taxes treat business losses.

“Ohio’s current five-year limit on municipal net operating loss carryforwards can penalize businesses that experience economic downturns or uneven revenue cycles,” Demetriou said in a release. “This is a commonsense update that reflects how businesses actually operate. Aligning municipal income tax law with federal standards helps ensure Ohio remains competitive, predictable, and fair for job creators across the state.”

Traffic fatalities decrease for the fourth consecutive year. State officials said that traffic fatalities in Ohio dropped for the fourth straight year. According to preliminary Ohio State Highway Patrol data, traffic fatalities in 2025 fell roughly 3% from 2024, continuing a decrease that began in 2022.

Think tank wants court to confirm state does not have to accept federal dollars. A Columbus-based think tank has filed a fourth amicus brief, asking the Ohio Supreme Court to confirm that Ohio law does not require the governor to accept federal funds whenever offered. The Buckeye Institute said the Tenth District Court of Appeals issued a “misguided ruling” and wants the state’s highest court to overturn it.

Appropriations bill includes millions for NASA Glenn’s mission. The U.S. House last week passed a package of full-year appropriations bills funding parts of the federal government through the end of fiscal 2026. According to a release from Republican U.S. Rep. Max Miller’s office, the legislation provides $24.438 billion for NASA, including $935 million for aeronautics, which the congressman said is critical to the mission of Glenn Research Center in Sandusky.

Vance wants to know if the ICE officer involved in last week’s Minneapolis shooting was wrong. Vice President and native Ohioan JD Vance offered what Republicans said was a simple question to Democratic U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Greg Landsman: Do they think the ICE officer was wrong in defending his life against a leftist who tried to run him over? “At this pivotal moment, Marcy Kaptur and Greg Landsman owe it to Ohioans to clarify if they think law enforcement is allowed to defend themselves against rabid, unhinged protestors who try to stop them from doing their jobs,” RNC Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said in a statement. “If Kaptur and Landsman steadfastly stand against law enforcement, we have a right to know.”