Rep. Lett Votes NO to Override Governor DeWine's Budget Vetoes
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus) 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.
“My constituents are asking for honest, effective policy that supports both homeowners AND the essential services we all rely on. There are currently productive, bipartisan property tax bills pending in the state legislature that do not place a burden on our schools. Instead, the supermajority is opting for this mess. These changes are so narrowly written that only a small group of people qualify, and even then, the relief is next to nothing. At the same time, our schools, libraries, and public safety services will face deep and unnecessary cuts. What we are seeing is not innovative property tax relief, but a band aid on a gaping wound,” said Rep. Lett.
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 a small number of 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.