CLEVELAND, Ohio (WLIO) – Gov. Mike DeWine has launched a new initiative aimed at addressing property tax reform in Ohio.
DeWine announced the formation of the Property Tax Reform Working Group, appointing two former state lawmakers to lead the effort: Bill Seitz and Pat Tiberi, who is also a former U.S. congressman and current president and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable. The group will explore ways to provide relief to property owners while ensuring stable funding for public services.
DeWine cited rising property values and increasing tax burdens as reasons behind the initiative.
“I've given them 60 days to come back with some real results and some real recommendations. And I think what's important in those recommendations is that we help the people who are on a fixed income, that we help people who are seeing their property tax rates go up very, very quickly and very, very fast. We have to give them some relief at the same time, we have to balance this so that we continue are able to fund our schools, where property taxes go, our fire departments, police departments, all the other local money and services that are provided,” said DeWine.
The working group will aim to find a solution that eases the financial strain on families without hurting funding for schools, safety forces, and other essential local services.
“If you live in an area that is a poor area, then the more money comes in from the state. If you live in a more fluent area, then less money comes in from mistakes. We try to, try to work, work that out. The goal, I think, should be that, you know, we do have the adequate funds for the schools, and so that's, that's, that's what the goal is, and that's what the goal is of this working group. And we'll see what they will see what they come back with,” DeWine added.
The Ohio House is scheduled to reconvene July 21 to reconsider a property tax provision that DeWine vetoed in the recently passed state budget.
July 10, 2025, Press Release from Gov. Mike DeWine’s Office:
COLUMBUS, Ohio —Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today formally announced the formation of his Property Tax Reform Working Group. The working group, informally announced during the Governor’s signing of House Bill 96 and associated line-item vetoes, will be co-chaired by former legislators Bill Seitz and Pat Tiberi, also a former congressman and President and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable.
“As property values have increased in Ohio over the last decade, the resulting property tax increases have strained many family budgets and challenged the financial security of many on fixed incomes,” said Governor DeWine. “Building upon previously expressed concerns and work done at many levels of government, I am forming this Property Tax Reform Working Group to issue concrete recommendations for meaningful property tax reforms that address the needs of property owners, are affordable to our state budget, and protect local schools and other services.”
The Governor is tasking the Working Group to thoroughly examine issues related to how to provide meaningful property tax relief to homeowners and businesses while ensuring that funding for local schools, fire, police, EMS, libraries, and developmental disabilities is adequate. The Governor is asking the working group to issue a report with concrete proposals by September 30th.
In addition to Seitz and Tiberi, other members of the Governor’s Property Tax Reform Working Group will be named in the near future.
