COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) – Members of the Ohio House are expected to return to Columbus on July 21st to review the 67 line-item vetoes Governor Mike DeWine issued in the state budget.
Lawmakers are particularly focused on three vetoes concerning proposed property tax changes included in their version of the budget. These proposals would have allowed county budget commissions to reduce property taxes on school districts, fire departments, and other agencies if deemed excessive; eliminated the “replacement” tax levy option for school districts on the ballot; and changed how taxes are calculated in determining the 20-mill floor for school funding.
Governor DeWine acknowledged the General Assembly’s right to reconsider his vetoes, but emphasized that he recently appointed a working group to study property tax reform in Ohio. He urged lawmakers to give that process a chance.
“And they're really focused on trying to balance two things. We want to give people help who are living in their home. Maybe they're on a fixed income. They paid their mortgage off years ago, but now they live in a community where the property values are going straight up, and when they go up, the value of their home goes up and then their taxes go up. We got to give them some relief, but the same time, the second thing we have to do is to make sure that we do have a tax base and money for fire and for police and for our schools,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, (R-Ohio).
DeWine has given the property tax working group 60 days to present a reform plan to Ohio lawmakers.
