As the former mayor of Wellston, I had a lot of dealings with the staff of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Granted that it was a long time and several administrations ago, but I remember expressing my concerns about the cost-benefit ratio of some of the shocking mandates being handed down to the local communities.

The EPA officials I talked to at that time said that cost was not a concern to them and that the local government had to do whatever they said.

Since that time, I think the relationship between the state agency and local governments has gotten a little better.

This week, I remembered that experience as some other legislators and I heard testimony in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Senate Bill 22, which would require the director of the EPA to consider the cost of improvements and other factors before ordering that certain projects must be done on a public sewer system.

This is important because the costs of those improvements are paid for by the users of that system. In other words, they are paid for by local taxpayers like you. Passing Senate Bill 22 is a logical step that will hopefully help communities throughout Ohio deal with their own sewer system problems.

This legislation passed the House overwhelmingly, and it is expected to be signed by the governor in an expeditious manner.

Aside from that legislation, I also want to take a moment to clear up some apparent misinformation I’ve been informed of that has been circulating in some areas.

In the state operating budget, there have been no changes to the homestead exemptions, the 10 percent rollback or the 2.5 percent rollback in real estate property taxes.

In fact, nothing that has even been proposed to change any of the current rollbacks or exemptions. I am not aware of any of this being proposed in separate legislation, either.

Around the time that the state budget is being worked on, I know that rumors start to fly around, but there is no basis for these particular claims.

I will mention, however, that the budget repeals the estate tax, or “death tax,” starting in 2013. This is meant to make Ohio more attractive for investment and for family businesses to stay in our borders and contribute to our economy.

This General Assembly’s budget has been hard to craft, but as we carry on in the process and work on other legislation as well, I will continue letting you know about the significant measures that will affect you and your family.

John Carey serves in Ohio’s 87th District of the House of Representatives, which includes eastern Lawrence County. He can be reached at (614) 466-1366, by writing to: Ohio House of Representatives, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215, or via e-mail at District87@ohr.state.oh.us.