Rep. Click Introduces "Taxpayer Freedom Trilogy"
COLUMBUS - State Representative Gary Click (R-Vickery) today announced the introduction of the Taxpayer Freedom Trilogy, a compilation of three separate bills addressing the property tax crisis in Ohio.
“Property tax reform is the number one issue in Ohio right now,” said Rep. Click. “Sudden spikes in property taxes have served as a pressure test, revealing weakness in accountability regarding property taxes. This package of three bills is designed to restore transparency, accountability, and fairness to Ohio’s property tax system.”
House Bill 420 – Discontinuing the Continuum
Joint-sponsored by Representative Bernie Willis (R-Springfield), House Bill 420 serves as act one in the trilogy. Continuing levies have a beginning, but no end. Today, people are paying taxes on levies implemented by their parents and grandparents facilitated by politicians long out of office. House Bill 420 ends continuous levies, ensuring that each generation has a voice in the taxes that they pay.
House Bill 421 – Arresting the Inside Millage
House Bill 421, the second installment in the trilogy, gives voters a voice if they believe their inside millage is too high. Currently, counties may approve up to 10 mills of property taxes without ballot approval. This bill creates a process that allows citizens who believe their inside millage is too high to send the issue to the ballot for potential reduction. The ballot will include arguments both for and against the measure, ensuring an informed public debate. This approach allows local leaders to remain flexible while giving voters the final say. Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson) has agreed to joint-sponsor this bill.
House Bill 422 – The Triumph of the Taxpayer
The third bill in the trilogy is joint-sponsored by Representative Jonathan Newman (R-Troy). This bill adjusts voter approval thresholds for new levies, requiring broader consensus for larger tax hikes. Levies under one mill will continue to require a simple majority, those between 1 and 1.9 mills will require a 60% majority, and those two mills or higher will need 66% approval. Only 66% of homes in Ohio are owner-occupied which means that 34% of the voters can currently raise other people’s taxes but not their own. House bill 422 makes it more difficult for those who have no skin in the game to impose higher taxes on those who do; the greater the ask, the higher the bar should be.
The original cry of the nation’s forefathers was not “No taxation,” but rather “No taxation without representation.” The Taxpayer Freedom Trilogy is designed to enshrine the voice of the people in the taxation process. People understand that schools, first responders and other local services are necessary and depend on local taxes. Ohioans want to know what they are paying for, have a voice in the process, and ensure that the taxes are not excessive. The Taxpayer Freedom Trilogy accomplishes these goals.
The Taxpayer Freedom Trilogy ensures a voice to every voter. “Taxes should be easy to lower and harder to raise,” Click said.