House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington and pictured above) today released the following statement after Wednesday’s Ballot Board meeting that advanced the Citizens for Property Tax Reform’s proposed constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes in Ohio:

“I think the effort to put this forward as a constitutional ballot amendment clearly demonstrates frustration by Ohioans on this issue. When the legislature doesn’t respond, the people usually step up – often through ballot initiatives. However, this particular initiative concerns me because while it eliminates the property tax, it doesn’t explain how we’ll replace the funds that support police, fire departments, public education, and other critical services,” said Leader Russo. “Democrats have been introducing bipartisan legislation for the last couple of General Assemblies to provide direct relief, but none have been prioritized by the Republican majority. It’s beyond time to provide direct property tax relief for Ohioans.” 

Property tax fatigue is understandable. However, this amendment would slash funding for public schools, counties and townships, police officers and firefighters, public parks, public libraries, development disabilities and mental health boards, and services for veterans and seniors without setting forth a funding alternative that works for Ohioans. For most Ohio public schools, property taxes make up a majority of their budget and over 60% of all property taxes.

High property taxes are the result of both the choices that the Republican-led legislature has made and their failure to act. The state used to cover the homestead exemption for all seniors, cut all property tax levies by 12.5%, and paid more for local services such as schools and public safety. Since 2007 when Ohio Democrats passed the largest property tax cut in Ohio history, Ohio Republicans have walked away from these policies and cut the percentage of state revenue dedicated to property tax relief almost in half.

Ohioans vote on levies more often than any other state in the country, yet other states boast stronger property tax relief programs. The legislature has had numerous, bipartisan proposals that cut property taxes for homeowners while keeping schools and local governments whole. A property tax circuit breaker would give working Ohioans a $1,000 rebate to help them afford their property tax bills. Increasing the homestead exemption, as proposed by Democrats for over a decade, would help keep more seniors on fixed incomes in their homes. Real property tax relief requires the state to pay its fair share and is targeted to those who need it most.