Court strikes down city residency law

CINCINNATI (AP) - An Ohio appeals court has backed a ruling that struck down a Cincinnati law prohibiting city employees from living outside the state.

Thursday's decision by the First Ohio District Court of Appeals upholds a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court decision that the Cincinnati ordinance conflicts with state law.

The state law upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2009 says employees of political subdivisions in the state have the right to reside any place they desire with one exception. Localities are allowed to require certain employees to live no farther away than adjacent counties to ensure adequate response times to emergencies or disasters.

Cincinnati City Solicitor John Curp says the city is reviewing the decision and deciding whether to appeal to the state high court.