Tagged: Taxes

The Ohio Supreme Court will again have to decide whether a state tax, the commercial activities tax – also known as the CAT, that was created in 2005 can apply to a specific product.

The suit was filed by an excavating company, and it was joined by truckers, builders and contractors.  Anthony Ehler said the constitution requires money from taxes on motor vehicle owners and operators go to roads. Since CAT revenues go to schools, local governments and the state general fund, Ehler said lawmakers couldn’t put the CAT on gasoline sales.

Ohiohas launched its $1.8 billion road construction season for 2012 involving about 800 projects to preserve existing roadways and bridges.

Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray announced the plans Tuesday, noting $1.6 billion more is needed for additional phases of 35 major new expansion projects.

The department says the 800 projects include resurfacing 3,700 miles of interstate and state routes and repairs or upgrades to several bridges, culverts, guardrails, interchanges and hillsides.

The court clerk in Ohio's largest county is making changes to help recover more than $63 million in court fines, fees and other costs that people failed to pay.