Socials Congress

Congress Member

Elizabeth Warren

Democratic

Senator
State: MA

Massachusetts

via: cleveland.com

Should Social Security taxes be capped?

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If you make more than $184,500 a year, you don’t pay Social Security taxes on any wages above that.

Of course, most Americans make way less. And many retired Americans rely on Social Security payments each month to pay their bills.

Yet the fund from which most Social Security beneficiaries are paid will be depleted by late 2032 — unless Congress does something.

The unlikely duo of Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno and Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren have proposed eliminating the payroll tax cap. That would inject around $3 trillion into the program over the next 10 years and keep it solvent for decades.

The change would affect only about 6% of American workers.

While past efforts to lift the Social Security payroll tax cap have failed, thanks to political gridlock, the eat-the-rich frustration of today might just prevail.

— Laura

Overnight Scores and Weather

Guardians at Chicago White Sox: Parker Messick strikes out a career-high 10, but Guardians fall 2-1 to White Sox

Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Sunny and pleasant

Top Stories

Social Security: U.S. Senators Bernie Moreno and Elizabeth Warren have joined forces on bipartisan legislation to lift the Social Security payroll tax cap, projecting a $3 trillion boost to the program over 10 years. Sabrina Eaton reports the move comes amid warnings from Social Security trustees that the fund could be depleted by late 2032 without congressional action.

FirstEnergy: A court filing in Dennis Kucinich’s libel lawsuit reveals he met with FirstEnergy officials multiple times between 2018 and 2020, seeking investments and consulting on legislative efforts. Adam Ferrise reports that Kucinich acknowledged during depositions that the stories at issue were accurate and that he suffered no damages.

Lorain jail: The Lorain County Jail Advisory Board voted Monday to move forward with a 540-bed podular jail design, reports Hannah Drown. That’s the larger and more expensive option that Sheriff Jack Hall and jail staff had pushed for after months of debate over whether the county could afford it.

Today in Ohio: Tuesday was Parma Pink Day! The city has embraced the kitsch of the pink flamingo lawn ornament for its bicentennial. On Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast, we’re talking about the fun they’re having.

Statehouse and Politics

Data centers: Ohio risks spreading data center power costs to all utility customers if the state fails to establish a separate electric rate class for tech companies before a key grid deadline. Anna Staver reports that House Democrats have urged Gov. Mike DeWine and state regulators to act before regional grid operator PJM passes those higher costs onto residential users.

Unfinished business: Ohio lawmakers have left numerous prominent bills unfinished as they begin a months-long summer break, with the bills’ fate to be decided during a post-election lame duck session. Jeremy Pelzer reports that unresolved measures include bills on child marriage, childcare fraud, teen driving permits, and data center regulations.

ERA: Ohio Equal Rights organizers have postponed their campaign to add equal rights protections to the Ohio Constitution, now targeting the 2027 ballot instead of 2026. Mary Frances McGowan reports that factors including high marketing costs and the added burden of running two separate amendments influenced the decision.

Northeast Ohio News

ICE protest: A Cleveland faith coalition is pledging to withdraw more than $1.3 million from Citizens Bank unless the institution cuts financial ties with private prison firms CoreCivic and GEO Group. Kaylee Remington reports that Greater Cleveland Congregations represents 37 congregations and is part of a national campaign that has already moved about $3 million.

Mayflies: Mayfly swarms have returned to Northeast Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline, with the insects blanketing lights, storefronts and cars across the region. Ryan Cohick reports that the Ohio Division of Wildlife says the swarms are a welcome sign of good water quality, as mayflies require clean, oxygen-rich environments to survive.

Ground-level ozone: The Cleveland area now meets the national standard for ground-level ozone levels, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An announcement that the seven-county region is officially considered in “attainment” was made Tuesday by the U.S. EPA, Peter Krouse reports.

I-77 restrictions: New ramp restrictions on Interstate 77 near downtown Cleveland begin Friday as part of a $16.1 million project to replace bridge decks over three streets, with the I-77 south ramp to East 30th Street closing through October. Rich Exner reports the project is scheduled to wrap in summer 2028.

Flock cameras: Cleveland City Council will give Mayor Justin Bibb’s administration a second chance to renew the city’s contract with Flock Safety after a committee voted 3-1 against it, with the Cuyahoga County prosecutor and a sitting judge now publicly backing the license plate reader technology. Sean McDonnell reports that council leaders are proposing new restrictions, including allowing each of the city’s 15 council members to decide whether Flock cameras can operate in their wards.

River search: Rescue crews spent more than an hour searching for a man early Tuesday after he reportedly jumped in the Cuyahoga River and didn’t resurface, Lizzie Kaboski reports. The fire department was dispatched around 2:45 a.m. after a person called 911 and said a man was submerged in the stretch of the river near The Flats in the area of Riverbed Street and Center Street.

Court closed: A power outage caused by water issues shut down the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on Tuesday, closing both the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas and Cleveland Municipal Court to the public. Lucas Daprile reports that in-person jail visitation was canceled.

Tax breaks: Geauga County commissioners again rejected two homeowner property tax exemptions Tuesday after schools and other local agencies warned the tax breaks would reduce revenue for public services, Molly Walsh reports. The decision keeps Geauga County from joining a handful of Ohio counties that have adopted the new tax breaks, which were made available for the first time last year.

Streetsboro schools: Streetsboro City Schools is reinstating extracurricular clubs and middle school sports cut during 2025 budget reductions, but families will now face fees of $50 per club and $300 per sport. Destiniee Jaram reports that voters have rejected operating levies three times, leaving the district projecting an $8.8 million deficit by 2029.

Internet access: AT&T Fiber service has launched in East Cleveland as part of a public-private partnership with JobsOhio aimed at expanding high-speed Internet access, with 50 refurbished laptops also donated to residents who completed digital literacy courses. Kaylee Remington reports that AT&T has pledged to invest $5 billion nationally to help 25 million people access high-speed internet by 2030.

Garfield statue: Mentor will unveil a bronze statue of President James A. Garfield on July 3 at the Mentor Civic Center, followed by a free community picnic and family activities. Molly Walsh reports that the slightly larger-than-life statue was created by sculptor Alan Cottrill and cost the city up to $150,000, timed to coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Todd Field: Willoughby is moving forward with Phase 1 of the Todd Field redevelopment, which will include a concrete stage pad and amphitheater bowl, with an estimated total project cost of $1.8 million. Molly Walsh reports that the city has set aside $550,000 for the first phase, with construction expected to begin in August and wrap in spring 2027.

Garbage lawsuit: Painesville has sued Republic Services after residents received unexpected $50-per-cart invoices for trash and recycling container retrieval, which the city says were unauthorized. Molly Walsh reports the city is seeking a restraining order to block the fees, calling them a “giant money grab” that could net Republic roughly $600,000.

Stow raises: Legislation that would ask Stow voters whether to hand out significant pay raises to the city’s mayor, law director and finance director appears headed for revision after City Council members raised concerns about automatic cost-of-living increases, Destiniee Jaram reports.

K9 vest: Lorain County Sheriff’s Office K9 Chewie has received a donated bullet- and stab-resistant vest from Vested Interest in K9s Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit that has provided more than 6,500 protective vests to police dogs nationwide since 2009. Hannah Drown reports that the custom-fitted, NIH-certified vest was sponsored by Diane Thalmann of LaPorte, Indiana, and is valued at approximately $1,800.

Lacrosse title: Rocky River will celebrate its first-ever boys lacrosse state championship with a parade and rally this evening following the Pirates’ perfect 19-0 season. Kaylee Remington reports the celebration begins at 6 p.m. at Kensington Intermediate School, ending with a recognition ceremony.

Health Care and Business

Responsible hospitals: Cleveland Clinic South Pointe in Warrensville Heights has been named Ohio’s most socially responsible hospital, ranking 48th nationally on the 2026 Lown Institute Hospitals Honor Roll. Julie Washington reports that only three Ohio hospitals made the national list, with Summa Health in Akron ranking 107th and East Liverpool Hospital ranking 108th.

Aging muscles: Ohio University researchers have received a five-year, $2.8 million NIH grant to study why muscles lose their ability to recover with age and whether targeting a specific protein pathway could improve muscle resilience. Julie Washington reports that the research focuses on two proteins, HuR and MyBP-H, and may lead to therapies for older adults unable to benefit fully from exercise.

Crime and Courts

Mackenzie Shirilla: The Ohio Supreme Court won’t be hearing another appeal in the case of a woman convicted of killing two people in a 2022 car crash in Strongsville. Lucas Daprile reports the ruling marks the second time the court has declined to hear an appeal for Mackenzie Shirilla, 21, whose case was the subject of a popular Netflix documentary, “The Crash.”

Sentence commuted: Gov. Mike DeWine quietly commuted his first death sentence late last month, reducing the sentence of convicted Cleveland murderer Gregory Lott to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Jeremy Pelzer reports.

Girl killed: A 3-year-old girl was killed when she was struck by a car while in a restaurant’s outdoor seating area in Beachwood. Jeff Piorkowski reports that police said Jasmine McFadden, 18, of Euclid, was operating the vehicle at the time of the crash. He has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide.

Fatal shooting: A 51-year-old Maple Heights man, John Morris, died after being shot multiple times Sunday evening on Lenacrave Avenue and East 121st Street in Cleveland’s Corlett neighborhood. Olivia Mitchell reports that no arrests have been made and the shooting marked the fourth reported homicide over the Juneteenth holiday weekend in Cleveland.

Arts and Entertainment

VR Experience: The Great Lakes Science Center has opened the Mission Flight VR Experience, featuring immersive virtual reality adventures such as spacewalks outside the International Space Station and rides on Saturn V rockets, reports Paris Wolfe.

‘Magicians Table’: “The Magicians Table,” an immersive theatrical experience combining close-up magic, live music and comedy, has extended its Playhouse Square run by four weeks through Oct. 18, reports Joey Morona.

Rodeo: TK Pro Rodeo will bring bull riding, barrel racing and roping to the Lake Erie Crushers ballpark in Avon for two nights on Sept. 18-19, reports Marc Bona.

Casino hotel: Hollywood Casino Columbus has opened a new $100 million hotel with 203 rooms, making it Ohio’s first casino with its own on-site hotel, reports Susan Glaser.

Inspiration from U2: Andy Rowen, a childhood friend of Bono’s who inspired three U2 songs, found recovery from years of drug addiction in Cleveland at the Ed Keating Center, reports Malcolm X Abram. His story is told in the documentary “Bad: The Song That Saved My Life,” which premiered June 15 on Ireland’s RTE One.

Baci Winery: Baci Winery in Madison is expanding with a new 1,500-square-foot kitchen and full-service restaurant opening by 2027, along with a new tasting room, Paris Wolfe reports.

Dance party: Akron Art Museum is hosting a free Kid Dance Party on June 28 featuring local musicians, musical-themed activities, and a pop-up roller skating rink in the garden, reports Megan Becka.

Beyond Juicery: Beyond Juicery + Eatery is opening its first hospital location at Cleveland Clinic this fall, marking the chain’s 10th Ohio location, reports Marc Bona.

Porcelain art: The Museum of American Porcelain Art is hosting its first-ever free outdoor art festival on June 27 in South Euclid, featuring local artists, makers and craftspeople, Jeff Piorkowski reports.

Ask Yadi: Yadi Rodriguez addresses a reader’s question about whether it’s fair to ask a salon to fix a gel manicure that chipped after one day, advising that customers should expect manicures to last longer.

America 250: Geauga Park District is celebrating America 250 with a free summer and fall series of concerts, nature programs and a “Superman” outdoor movie screening highlighting Ohio’s connection to the superhero’s creators. Molly Walsh reports that events include astronomy programs, live music and family activities.

You’re all caught up

Don’t forget, you can always find the latest Cleveland news by visiting cleveland.com. If you value the hard work of Cleveland journalists, consider becoming a cleveland.com subscriber.

— Curated by content director Laura Johnston with contributions by Cliff Pinckard.

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Should Social Security taxes be capped?