Ohio Wrestles with Municipal Towing Regulations

State attorneys challenged Cleveland’s right to regulate tow-truck operators in a case that could have implications for cities and municipalities across Ohio.A ruling in Cleveland’s favor would allow Columbus and other local governments to enact regulations covering the towing industry. Columbus dumped its local ordinances several years ago in the wake of statewide regulations. During arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court, the justices drilled attorneys on both sides about the implications for the home-rule authority of cities.“Why can’t the city of Cleveland regulate tow-truck drivers to have telephone numbers on the side of their trucks?” Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor asked.Assistant Attorney General Pearl Chin said that Ohio law regulates tow-truck operations, and allowing local governments to adopt their own ordinances would “create chaos” for drivers who often work across municipal boundaries.The state is asking the Supreme Court to overturn an appellate decision that found the state law infringed on Cleveland’s right to self-govern as long as local regulations do not conflict.“The (state) law is comprehensive in scope,” Chin argued. “Any attempt on Cleveland’s part (to regulate tow trucks) would just add confusion ... it makes sense because tow trucks” go over municipal boundaries, “and there could be conflicting licensing regulations.”The law, she said, provides comprehensive, uniform regulations for the towing industry across the state, and local ordinances are not necessary. Source: www.dispatch.com.