by J.D. Davidson
Three of four bills targeting rising property taxes in Ohio have been sitting in committees for more than a year without a vote or public opposition.
And Ohio lawmakers have no plans to return to work until mid-November.
That has Democratic leaders at the Statehouse pushing for immediate action.
“House Democrats and local leaders have been fighting to lower property taxes and create a fairer system that doesn’t constantly rely on property owners to pick up the tab,” said House Minority Leader Allison Russo (pictured above), D-Upper Arlington. “We can lower our property taxes, reduce costs, and still support essential services by ensuring the state pays its fair share and returns more of our tax dollars to our community. It’s time for the state legislature to take action; Ohioans need help now.”
Three of the four bills have bipartisan sponsorship, including the most recent – House Bill 645 that would give a $1,000 property tax rebate and $1 billion in tax relief to more than 1.3 million homeowners and renters after their tax payments exceed 5% of their income.
That bill was recently introduced and has not been assigned to a committee.
Three others, however, have been in committee for more than a year with hearings but no opposition testimony.
One would expand the homestead exemption to cover another 75,000 senior citizens. The second would freeze property taxes for seniors making $50,000 or less, and the third would increase the exemption for people who have owned their homes for more than 20 years.
“If property taxes were part of the state budget and not local budgets, the General Assembly would be falling over themselves to find a cost saving fix,” said Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano.
The Senate has two sessions scheduled in November, while the House has one.
The House has six sessions on its calendar in December, but four are if needed, and the Senate plans only three. The biennial session is currently scheduled to end around the third week of December.
“We are working together for bipartisan solutions that jumpstart our economy and provide direct relief now to homeowners, renters, and seniors,” said Rep. Latyna Humphrey, D-Columbus. “By lowering property taxes, we can make housing more affordable for everyone and help more seniors afford to stay in their own homes.”
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An Ohio native, J.D. Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He has served as a reporter, editor, managing editor and publisher. Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square.
Photo “Allison Russo” by Allison Russo.
