Ohio House votes to restore rare coins sales-tax exemption

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio House has overwhelmingly voted to restore a sales-tax exemption for residents purchasing rare coins and precious metal bullion.

The bill passed in the House on Wednesday and heads next to the Senate.

Rep. Christina Hagan, co-sponsor of the bill, says it’s rewarding to restore the tax exemption after having previously taken it away.

The sales-tax exemption was eliminated in the wake of a 2005 scandal centering around Republican fundraiser and coin dealer Tom Noe.

Noe was convicted of stealing from a $50 million rare-coin fund he oversaw for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. He’s now serving an 18-year prison term.

The Blade in Toledo reports Rep. Teresa Fedor, who voted against the measure, says the subject is still a “fresh wound for Ohio.”