Tom’s time as a legislator began when he was elected as a Representative toOhio's 18th House District from 2003 to 2008. He remained in the lower house throughout the125th,126th, and127th Ohio General Assemblies. After his time in the lower chamber, Tom Patton was next elected to theOhio State Senate, serving from 2008 to 2016. Patton assumed this Senatorial position two months earlier than normal due to the resignation of then incumbentRobert Spada shortly after the election. As a State Senator he represented Ohio's24th Senatorial District for the128th,129th,130th, and131st Ohio General Assemblies. During the130th and131st Ohio General Assemblies Tom Patton served as theSenate Majority Leader. Patton then returned to the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 2017 onwards. He was elected to represent Ohio's7th House District for the132nd,133rd, and134th Ohio General Assemblies. During the132nd Ohio General Assembly Tom Patton served as theHouse Majority Whip.
Born and raised inCleveland,Ohio, Patton serves on the Incarnate Word Academy and Holy Name High School endowment boards, is a Cleveland Police Historical Society trustee, and has been a longstanding Strongsville Chamber of Commerce member. Tom Patton is also a member the Knights of Columbus, the Cleveland Police Historical Society, the AFL-CIO and serves as president of the Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 756. He is also a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police.
A widower, he raised his family of five daughters and one son in Strongsville and has been blessed with ten grandchildren. The 7th House District encompasses portions of Cuyahoga County and includes his hometown of Strongsville.
Rep. Patton speaks at press conference on May 10, 2017
Though his legislative responsibilities in Columbus have grown over the years, for Representative Patton, community and family come first.
The legislation established the Research and Development Loan Fund Program, authorizing the Director of Development to manage it and provide loans for eligible research and development projects, with an appropriation of $50 million for fiscal year 2004 and $55 million for 2005. The program also allowed the Treasurer of State to issue obligations to fund these projects while mirroring administrative procedures of other existing programs. Loans can cover up to 75% of project costs, requiring repayment security and allowing the Director to partner with businesses and agencies to promote projects in Ohio. Additionally, it created the Ohio Research Commercialization Grant Program to support small tech companies linked to federal funding, and policy guidelines are set for these grants. The bill also revised technology investment tax credits, increasing eligibility thresholds and total investment limits, while expanding benefits for investments in EDGE-certified businesses. It enhanced the Innovation Ohio Loan Fund and job retention tax credits, including provisions tailored for call center operations.
*Citation "[1]" currently refers to Kevin DeWine as the primary sponsor. At the time of writing this the authorities of the Ohio Legislature are working to correct the record to properly reflect the actual sponsor of the bill*
The legislation now allows counties to establish County Land Reutilization Corporations (CLRCs) as nonprofit entities to manage and rehabilitate various types of vacant or distressed properties. The CLRC board will include the county treasurer and two members from the county commissioners, and the corporations are exempt from certain public records laws and competitive bidding procedures. CLRCs will have extensive powers to borrow funds, issue bonds, manage real estate, enter contracts, and conduct nuisance abatement, among other activities. They may act on behalf of local governments to repair hazardous buildings and can acquire tax-delinquent properties, relieving them from certain tax liabilities. The legislation simplified foreclosure processes for CLRCs and allowed them to retain proceeds from the sale of foreclosed properties. Additionally, tax certificates can now be transferred more flexibly, encouraging quicker resolution of tax debts, and port authorities are also authorized to obtain tax-delinquent properties under similar terms.
This bill outlined a nonrefundable, transferable income tax credit aimed at individuals and pass-through entity owners who invest in qualifying motion picture productions certified by the Director of Development before 2014. The credit is set at 25% of investments exceeding $300,000, adjusted according to the percentage of total production costs allocated to Ohio. There is a cap on the total amount of credit certificates issued, limited to $100 million annually and $25 million per production. An independent audit of the production expenditures is mandated to confirm the Ohio spending. The Director of Development has the authority to reject any expenditures certified as Ohio-related by the auditor. Additionally, production companies or their affiliates must repay the state for any excess credits that were allowed and claimed.
The "Michael Louis Palumbo, Jr. Act" is a legislative measure aimed at supporting firefighters who develop cancer as a result of their duties. Under the act, such firefighters will be presumed to have incurred their cancer while performing official duties, which streamlines the process for accessing workers' compensation and benefits from the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund (OP&F). There are specified circumstances under which this presumption can be challenged or rebutted. Additionally, the act mandates that the Administrator of Workers' Compensation compile a report on the incidence of presumed cancer claims that arise under its provisions. Overall, the legislation seeks to provide greater protections and support for firefighters facing cancer-related disabilities. This act honors the contributions of firefighters while addressing health risks associated with their profession.
The bill established the State Post-Traumatic Stress Fund within the state treasury, with the Director of Budget and Management appointed as the fund’s trustee. The fund is intended to provide lost wage compensation, medical benefits, and cover administrative costs for public safety officers diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that does not involve a concurrent physical injury linked to their job. Importantly, the bill states that no payments will be made from the fund, and no claims can be filed against the state under this act. It also protected public safety officers from any punitive actions from employers if they file a claim or participate in related proceedings concerning the fund's benefits. Additionally, the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund is tasked with collaborating with designated entities to prepare an actuarial valuation and report addressing the fund's financial and operational requirements for claim payments. Overall, the bill aims to support public safety officers dealing with PTSD while ensuring their job security during the claims process.
The congressional bill proposed a property tax reduction specifically for homeowners aged 65 or older, contingent upon their incomes not exceeding defined limits. This reduction aimed to prevent future increases in property taxes for eligible senior citizens. Homeowners who qualify for both the Homestead Exemption and the tax reduction must choose one benefit to utilize. To support local governments and school districts affected by the reduced tax revenue, the bill mandates state reimbursement for the tax reduction. The provisions of the bill will impact property taxes payable starting in the year 2007 and onward. Overall, the legislation sought to alleviate the financial burden of property taxes on senior homeowners.
The proposed bill establishes a "traffic camera dealer license" in Ohio, mandating that anyone involved in the sale, rental, installation, or maintenance of traffic law photo-monitoring devices must acquire this license. The Division of Industrial Compliance within the Department of Commerce will oversee the application process and set disqualification parameters, with licenses available for annual renewal. A licensing fee of $100,000 is required, and licensees must submit an annual certificate confirming their traffic cameras' operational accuracy, while the Department of Public Safety will conduct monthly calibrations of each camera—charging a $5,000 fee for each test. Additionally, licensees must notify ticket recipients about the appeals process within 48 hours of a ticket being mailed. Non-compliance with licensing requirements can result in a first-degree misdemeanor, with fines of $1,000 per day for violations. The bill also introduces an 8% tax on the gross receipts of traffic camera dealers, with proceeds directed towards funding PTSD services for public safety officers.
With newly drawn district lines following redistricting in 2002, Patton was one of five Republicans who sought to succeed incumbentErin Sullivan. To take the nomination, Patton received 42.33% of the vote.[9] He went on to defeat Democrat Susan Adams in the general election with 52.4% of the vote.[10] In his first reelection bid, Patton defeated Democrat Bobby Bland with 66.59% of the vote to take a second term.[11] For his third term in House, Patton faced John Celebrezze in 2006 and won with 58.53% of the electorate.[12]
Term-limited in the Senate in 2016, Patton succeeded in convincing RepresentativeMike Dovilla to run for his Senate seat, allowing for Patton to return to the House.[13] Opposed in the Republican primary, Patton handily defeated Jennifer M. Herold, 79% to 21%.Dovilla lost the Republican primary for Patton's Senate seat toMatt Dolan.[14]
Patton was unopposed in the general election, winning a seat that on paper is one of the most competitive in the state. He was sworn in for his fourth non-consecutive term in the House on January 3, 2017.[15]
When incumbentBob Spada was unable to run for another term in theOhio Senate in 2008, Patton decided to give up a fourth term in the House to run for the seat. Unopposed in the primary, Patton went on to defeat Democrat Gary Kucinich, brother ofDennis Kucinich, in the general election with 68.39% of the vote.[55] Spada resigned his seat two months prior to the end of his term in order to take an appointment from GovernorTed Strickland. Subsequently, Senate Republicans decided to seat Patton early, in order for the Senate to have adequate representation throughout the important lame duck session. He was seated in the Senate on November 18, 2008. In 2012, Patton ran successfully for a second term, defeating DemocratJennifer Brady with 59.16% of the vote.[56]
Patton was elected to a new term representing the 24th district in 2024.[57]
State Senator Tom Patton appears with members of the Autism Society of Ohio after receiving an award from the organization for his work to increase awareness of autism
Thank you for support and advocacy from the Community Care Network Community Center (May 23, 2005)
Mom For Ohio Public Service Award Special Thanks (2005)
Distinguished Public Service Award from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #14 (September 6, 2006)
Community Gratitude Award from New Directions (2006-2007)
Legislator of the Year Award from Ohio Society of Professional Engineers (June 5, 2009)
Recognition from the American Red Cross Greater Cleveland Chapter (2007)
Recognition from the Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association (November 7, 2008)
Recognition from D.A.R.E. Ohio (August 2010)
Watchdog of the Treasury Award (2010)
Samuel H. Miller Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society (May 18, 2013)
Honors for dedication to children from Providence House (April 24, 2015)
Irishman of the Year 2016 from the Heat & Frost Insulators Local #3
Workers’ Compensation Outstanding Service Award from Ohio Association for Justice (May 5, 2017)
Conservative Excellence Award from the American Conservative Union Foundation (2017)
Ohio Dermatological Association Advocate of the Year Award (October 4, 2019)
Recognition and thanks from the Autism Society of Ohio
Special Thank you from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #15
