Rep. Creech Votes to Deliver Billions in Historic Property Tax Relief for Ohioans

COLUMBUS – State Representative Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria) Wednesday voted in support of Am. Sub. House Bill 96 – the House’s version of the State Operating Budget. This forward-looking, fiscally responsible budget plan invests in Ohio families and the state’s future – approving over $4 billion in record property tax relief for Ohioans and ensuring that every school district in the state receives an increase in school funding in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. 

CHAMPIONING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: BROWNS PROPOSAL

The House’s budget plan approves a bond issuance to assist with the proposed Cleveland Browns transformational, mixed-use development project. The budget authorizes a $600 million bond issuance from the state of Ohio which will be repaid by income produced by the project. If revenue expectations from the project are not met over the life of the bond (25 years), then the state will be repaid through money saved in an escrow account, that totals $50 million plus the interest that is gained over the years. 

DELIVERING BILLIONS IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO OHIOANS

In an effort to provide much-needed property tax relief to Ohioans, the bill implements a process for schools that carry forward more than 30 percent in unspent cash at the end of each year to be distributed back to Ohioans in the form of property tax relief, totaling more than $4 billion. District cash carryovers have increased year over year since tracking began in 2012, from $3.6 billion then to $10.5 billion today. In FY24, 486 traditional school districts carried over cash greater than 30 percent of their expenditures for that year.

“I was proud to vote on a budget that provides Ohioans billions in property tax relief and invests in the future of our state through economic development and job creation,” said Creech. “It’s important to note that the Browns project is not a handout, it is an investment in our state with a tangible return on investment that does not result in raising taxes.”

House Bill 96 now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.