The owners of the former Walter C. Beckjord coal plant site in Clermont County, Ohio, owe $640,000 in delinquent property taxes [1, 4]. Commercial Liability Partners (CLP), which owns the site through its subsidiary, New Richmond Development Corp., owes over $290,000 of that total [2]. Duke Energy sold the site to the Missouri-based CLP in 2018 [1, 4].
Property Tax Concerns and Reforms
Local officials in other parts of Ohio are expressing concerns about property tax reforms [3, 6, 7]. Athens County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) relies heavily on property taxes, with roughly 75% of its budget coming from that source [3]. EMS Chief Amber Pyle stated that the organization would be "in a mess" if property taxes were eliminated [3]. New laws limit increases in certain property taxes to the inflation rate [7]. House Bills 186 and 335, signed into law in December 2026, address school levies and non-voted property taxes, respectively [7]. The Ohio Department of Taxation is now required to prove that a county auditor’s original assessment was incorrect when filing an appeal [6].
Credit Card Debt and Interest Rate Caps
Millions of Americans are grappling with credit card debt [5]. Rocky River resident Christine Yohn faced tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt [5]. President Trump has announced his support for legislation to cap credit card interest rates at 10% per annum for one year, beginning January 20, 2026 [19]. Some experts theorize that short-term interest caps could help those stuck in a "debt trap" [13]. However, others suggest that capping interest rates could reduce credit access, increase fees, and push people towards more expensive products [12]. One potential unintended consequence of capping credit card interest could be increased prices at places like grocery stores [12]. Credit cards are often used to "paper over" structural problems like inadequate social safety nets [18].
TL;DR
- The owners of the former Beckjord coal plant site owe $640,000 in delinquent property taxes [1, 4].
- New Ohio laws limit increases in certain property taxes to the inflation rate, raising concerns for local services [7].
- President Trump supports capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year, a move that could have both positive and negative consequences [19, 12].
- Small businesses are now experiencing the full effects of the 2025 tax reforms, including increased clarity and flexibility around deductions [14].