Rep. Troy Attempts to Increase & Expand Homestead Exemption by Forcing Floor Vote
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Daniel P. Troy (D-Willowick) last week attempted to provide much needed property tax relief for seniors by introducing an amendment on the Ohio House floor. Rep. Troy’s amendment would have increased and expanded the homestead exemption in consideration of House Bill (HB) 187, which was voted on in the Ohio House Session on October 11, 2023.
“Isn’t it time to put some skin in the game and help out people that need it the most through targeted tax relief?” said Rep. Troy.
The amendment would have directly aided disabled people and seniors on fixed income. If passed, the homestead exemption would have increased from $25,000 to $40,000 of the home’s appraised value or cost. Additionally, eligibility would have expanded by raising the income threshold to qualify from $36,100 in gross income to $45,000.
“Let’s stop transferring more and more of the property tax burden to our residential property taxpayers and stop expanding, and start reigning in, some of the property tax abatements, community reinvestment areas, TIFs, etc: many of which never meet the ‘but for’ qualifications necessary for that economic development to take place,” said Rep. Troy.
The amendment was tabled by the GOP without allowing the entire House the opportunity to vote on the issue. A vote count is available to view on the Ohio Channel at the 1:09:47 mark of this link: https://ohiochannel.org/video/ohio-house-of-representatives-10-11-2023 (note: that that those who voted “no” are voting against tabling the amendment).
Rep. Troy will continue championing an increase and expansion of the homestead exemption. Last week, Rep. Troy was appointed to the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform, which was formed from Section 757.60 in the State of Ohio’s Budget Bill (House Bill 33), using the exact language that Rep. Troy authored. The homestead exemption will surely be a topic of discussion in this committee.
Rep. Troy Attempts to Increase & Expand Homestead Exemption by Forcing Floor Vote