Rep. Thomas: Republicans' Veto Override Leaves Local Communities Holding the Bag, Still No Real Property Relief for Majority of Ohioans
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) 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 are ready and willing to work together to get that done.
“Too many middle- and low-income Ohioans are already struggling to make ends meet,” said Rep. Thomas. “House Bill 96 makes it even harder for working families to get ahead, while rewarding the wealthy with generous tax breaks. This budget is deeply flawed; Governor DeWine issued a record 67 vetoes for good reason. With public education and local control under attack, I’m proud to stand with the Governor and my Democratic colleagues to protect our communities from these reckless and harmful policies.”
Thanks to public advocacy, the two other provisions that were supposed to be called onto the floor today were not called.
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 passing the buck to 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.