Covelli Centre taxes and penalties set to be forgiven

Covelli Centre taxes and penalties set to be forgiven

YOUNGSTOWN

Legislation to forgive $4.75 million in delinquent taxes and penalties owed by the city for its Covelli Centre and to make the facility tax-exempt for as long as Youngstown owns it is just a gubernatorial signature away from being law.

An amended House Bill 508, which includes the Covelli Centre tax provisions, was approved Thursday by the Ohio House by a 96-0 vote. The state Senate approved it Tuesday by a 29-2 vote.

Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign the bill in the next few weeks.

“It’s great news,” said Youngstown Mayor Charles Sammarone. “I don’t know where we’d find $4.75 million.”

Sammarone said he wanted to thank the state legislators from Mahoning County and “when it’s all over, I’d like to thank the governor.”

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com