Ty Mathews, a first-term Republican representing the 83rd Ohio House District, said government efficiency and rising property taxes are top concerns at a Jan. 14 legislative update at Mary Rutan Health Urgent Care.
The Logan County Chamber of Commerce hosted the meeting, with chamber president Ben Vollrath introducing Rep. Mathews, who during a nearly hour-long talk delivered a substantive overview of his legislative agenda, policy priorities, and constituent concerns.
The well-attended meeting drew numerous county elected officials, including commissioners Joe Antram, Mike Yoder, and Greg Fitzpatrick, along with business leaders, school officials, and community members.
Mathews drew laughter from the audience when he reflected on his early days as a freshman legislator, joking that when he spoke here last spring, he “couldn’t even tell you where the bathrooms were in the Statehouse.”
The Findlay resident, who turned 30 earlier this month, said he and his wife, Landry, are expecting their first child in March.
Mathews, who represents Hancock and Hardin counties as well as northern Logan County, said rising property taxes remain the most common concern he hears from constituents, with some property owners seeing increases of 20 to 40 percent.
“That’s totally unacceptable,” he said.
🎧 Listen: Mathews on rising property taxes
While acknowledging what he described as a “property tax crisis,” the legislator said he is also concerned that a ballot initiative currently being circulated to abolish property taxes in Ohio could, if approved, create significant challenges.
Rather than proposing broad tax increases or sweeping cuts, Mathews said his focus is on improving government efficiency and reducing redundancy that drives costs higher for taxpayers.
Central to that effort is legislation creating a Blue Ribbon Commission — a locally driven body designed to identify overlapping services and unnecessary spending at the county, township, and municipal levels.
Under the proposal, each county would form a commission consisting of a county commissioner, a township or municipal representative, the county auditor, and an additional local appointee. The commission would review areas where services overlap, including technology, insurance, and administrative functions, and recommend voluntary cost-saving measures.
“This is about empowering local governments,” Mathews said. “We’re not mandating consolidation or raising taxes. We’re giving local officials the tools to find efficiencies and reduce waste.”
Mathews cited Erie County as an example where consolidating certain services resulted in significant savings without cutting essential public services. He said similar opportunities exist across Ohio but often go unexamined.
The proposed commissions would be advisory in nature and would not force changes on any local government. Instead, they would provide a structured process for identifying savings and, when necessary, seeking state-level changes to remove barriers to cooperation.
Defense spending, reshoring, and local impact
Mathews also tied his legislative priorities to broader national economic trends, pointing to increased defense spending under President Donald Trump and a renewed emphasis on reshoring American manufacturing as potential economic drivers for the 83rd District.
He said the district’s strong manufacturing base, skilled workforce, and proximity to defense-related supply chains position it well to benefit from increased federal defense investment and the return of critical manufacturing operations to the United States.
“When we talk about reshoring, we’re talking about jobs, supply chain security, and long-term economic stability,” Mathews said. “Those are things communities like ours are built for.”
Mathews said increased defense spending could lead to new contracts and expanded opportunities for small and mid-sized manufacturers in the region, particularly in advanced manufacturing, logistics, and emerging technologies tied to national security.
“That’s why it’s important that Ohio — and districts like the 83rd — are ready to compete,” he said. “State policy has to align with federal priorities so our communities can benefit.”
He added that keeping taxes in check and operating government efficiently are critical to attracting and retaining that investment.
“If we want to bring jobs back and keep them here, government has to be a good partner,” Mathews said.
Mathews also mentioned that the former Urbana University property is the running as a potential site for a new U.S. Coast Guard training facility, which could bring a significant economic boost to the area.
Legislative agenda
Mathews said his broader legislative agenda centers on government efficiency, economic development, and strengthening Ohio’s long-term competitiveness while limiting unnecessary costs for taxpayers.
Among the bills he is sponsoring is House Bill 520, which would establish Blue Ribbon Commissions in each county to examine overlapping local government services and identify opportunities to reduce redundancy and spending.
He is also sponsoring H.B. 291, which would create an Ohio International Trade Commission to help coordinate international trade efforts and expand global market access for Ohio businesses.
H.B. 292 would establish an Ohio Defense Commission to help small and mid-sized Ohio companies compete for federal defense contracts and strengthen supply chains tied to national security and emerging technologies.
Another measure, H.B. 332, would expand Ohio’s linked deposit program — traditionally used in agriculture — to provide lower-interest financing for small defense and emerging technology businesses.
Mathews previously sponsored H.B. 184, legislation regulating name, image, and likeness (NIL) contracts for college athletes. That bill has since been signed into law.
More about Rep. Mathews
In the Ohio House, Mathews serves as vice chair of the House Veterans and Military Development Committee and is also a member of the Development, Government Oversight, and Natural Resources committees.
Before his election, Mathews worked as a special assistant and policy aide to the Ohio Treasurer. He currently works at Northwestern Masonry in Findlay.
Mathews also discussed his continued service in the Ohio Army National Guard, noting a recent transition in his military role. An infantry officer by background, he said he moved last fall into a headquarters company with the 145th Armor Regiment, requiring him to learn armored and tank-based operations after years in infantry roles.
“There’s definitely been a learning curve,” Mathews said, adding that the experience has been both challenging and rewarding.
Mathews served as a captain in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and currently commands Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 145th Armor Regiment.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cedarville University and a master’s degree in executive leadership from Liberty University.
“If we’re serious about property tax reform,” Mathews said, “we have to start by making sure government is operating as efficiently as possible.”
