Ohio's property tax reform takes center stage as state lawmakers gear up to override Governor Mike DeWine's recent budget vetoes. The Ohio House has scheduled a session for July 21, with the aim of reevaluating several items struck down by DeWine that many believe would lead to significant property tax relief for Ohioans. Among these, provisions that would give county officials the power to amend voter-approved levies and changes to how levies are calculated, as reported by Ohio Capital Journal, have sparked a fierce debate on the state's taxation policy.
DeWine's vetoes have certainly angered not just Ohio House lawmakers, but also advocates who've long called for a revamp of the state's property tax system. The Governor slashed a rule that would allow commissioners to diminish voter-approved levies, and another that set financial restrictions on the kinds of levies that school districts could put on the ballot, according to Ohio Capital Journal. In contrast, while the House is poised to dismiss the carryover provision, it appears determined to contest the remaining vetoes.
In the meantime, Governor DeWine has initiated a Property Tax Reform Working Group, with the intention of creating a set of recommendations by September 30, as noted by WCPO News. This comes after a budget he signed recently included line-item vetoes, notably against property tax revisions and changes to the funding of shelters promoting gender transition, bringing his veto tally up to an unprecedented 67 for this term.
The discontent with DeWine’s approach is palpable on both sides of the aisle. Republican state Rep. Tex Fischer reportedly told Ohio Capital Journal, "We do NOT NEED A WORKING GROUP. We need ACTION." Meanwhile, Democrats like Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn criticized the GOP’s methods, expressing that if they were serious about property tax relief, they would seek bipartisan solutions. As mentioned in the Ohio Capital Journal, override attempts must secure a three-fifths majority vote in both the House and Senate to pass.
Implications of the veto overrides and the formation of the working group remain the subject of heated debate. Advocacy groups aligning with various interests are making their positions known. For example, Tom Zaino, a former state tax commissioner supporting tax changes, expressed to the Ohio Capital Journal that while uncomfortable with some of the governor's vetoes, such as those reducing voted levies, he believes that an appeal could be made with the Board of Tax Appeals. Conversely, educators like Scott DiMauro, who told the Ohio Capital Journal that the original budget provisions were "half baked", hope that the veto overrides will not succeed. All eyes will be on the July 21 session as Ohio grapples with the balance between tax relief and funding essential local services.
