Rep. Somani: Republicans' Veto Override Leaves Local Communities Holding the Bag, Still No Real Property Relief for Majority of Ohioans
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Anita Somani (D-Dublin) today voted “NO” on the vote to override a school district property tax levy restriction provision vetoed in House Bill 96 (the state operating budget). Line-item 66 would eliminate several types of levies, limiting the choices voters have in how to support their schools and local governments, and would not provide real property tax relief to Ohioans. Real property tax relief is one of the most pressing needs for everyday Ohioans. House Democrats have several bills that would make that happen.
“Thanks to pressure from the public, only one of the three veto overrides scheduled for today was actually voted on. Unfortunately, with the passage of this veto override, Republicans are tying the hands of schools and local governments and telling them to do more with less. I voted no on this override because I do not believe that local entities should bear the consequences of decades of the state GOP refusing to pay their fair share,” said Rep. Somani.
Instead of the state providing real tax relief, Republicans continue to prioritize property tax proposals that benefit the wealthiest Ohioans and that give handouts to billionaires for sports stadiums. Republicans are trying to pass the buck and get schools and local communities to pay the price for wasteful state spending.
During this General Assembly, House Democrats have introduced several bipartisan pieces of legislation to help Ohioans lower their property taxes that the Republican supermajority have failed to act on. They include:
- HB 103 (Troy, T. Hall) - Double Homestead Exemption for Seniors
- HB 143 (Brennan, Mathews) - Double Homestead Exemption for Long-Term Homeowners
- HB 156 (Isaacsohn, T. Hall) - Freeze Property Taxes for Seniors
- HB 365 (Brennan, D. Hall) - Enact the Property Tax Refund Act
The legislation introduced by House Democrats would bring about real property tax relief that is targeted, state-funded, and wouldn’t come at the expense of our local communities.