Rep. Brent: Republicans' Veto Overrides Leave Local Communities Holding the Bag, Still No Real Property Relief for Majority of Ohioans
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) today voted “NO” on the votes to override several budget provisions vetoed in House Bill 96 (the state operating budget), citing the fact that none of the provisions would actually provide real property tax relief to Ohioans.
“I voted ‘NO’ on the override of Governor DeWine’s veto of line-item 66 because it strips away the tools our local communities use to fund their schools and services,” said Rep. Brent. “This provision does not give real property tax relief—it just takes away local control and voter choice. Ohioans deserve real solutions, not political games. I am committed to working with anyone serious about delivering true, lasting property tax relief that works for the people.”
Instead of the state providing real tax relief, Republicans continue to prioritize property tax proposals that benefit the wealthiest Ohioans and that give handouts to billionaires for sports stadiums. Republicans are trying to pass the buck and get schools and local communities to pay the price for wasteful state spending.
During this General Assembly, House Democrats have introduced several bipartisan pieces of legislation to help Ohioans lower their property taxes that the Republican supermajority have failed to act on. They include:
- HB 103 (Troy, T. Hall) - Double Homestead Exemption for Seniors
- HB 143 (Brennan, Mathews) - Double Homestead Exemption for Long-Term Homeowners
- HB 156 (Isaacsohn, T. Hall) - Freeze Property Taxes for Seniors
- HB 365 (Brennan, D. Hall) - Enact the Property Tax Refund Act
The legislation introduced by House Democrats would bring about real property tax relief that is targeted, state-funded, and wouldn’t come at the expense of our local communities.