Cera continues push to restore fairness for Ohio taxpayers

State Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) today offered an amendment on the House floor that would have leveled the playing field for elderly and disabled Ohioans applying for the state’s homestead exemption, a program that works to reduce property taxes for qualifying homeowners. The amendment came during debate on House Bill (HB) 513, a bill to expand the homestead exemption to include surviving spouses of peace officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel killed in the line of duty.

“Ohio taxpayers have been hit hard in recent years, as state budget cuts have forced local communities to increase property taxes in order to make ends meet,” said Cera. “This amendment would have put us back on the right path by starting to cut through the red tape to restore tax fairness for elderly and disabled Ohioans.”

Cera previously introduced HB 586, legislation that would eliminate current means testing standards and make all Ohio residents 65 or older, or individuals permanently and totally disabled, eligible for the tax exemption.

Today’s amendment was tabled in a largely party line vote.