The proposed amendment would abolish taxes on real property and prohibit any future taxes on real property.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A grassroots group’s effort to abolish property taxes in Ohio took a big step forward Wednesday. The Ohio Ballot Board unanimously approved its petition for a proposed amendment to the state constitution.
Brian Massie sits on the five-member grassroots committee trying to get the constitutional amendment on the ballot for voters to decide.
“We’re certainly glad that we’re going to move forward,” Massie said.
He said the group is frustrated state lawmakers have not done more to lower property taxes. So, it has been taking its case to the people.
The proposed amendment would abolish taxes on real property and prohibit any future taxes on real property.
“If we stayed on this path of ever increasing property taxes, we’re going to price seniors and those living on fixed incomes out of their home,” Massie said.
The Ohio Education Association strongly opposes the proposed amendment.
“To eliminate property taxes would completely pull the rug out of the public schools and other public services all across the state,” OEA President Scott DiMauro said.
Gov. Mike DeWine said the state needs to address the situation of high and rising property taxes but has reservations about this idea.
“I don’t know how you abolish property taxes completely without raising other taxes,” DeWine said. “I mean, this is a significant way that we fund our schools.”
Massie said the group is not opposed to paying taxes but wants property taxes to be shifted to other taxes or fees for services, such as fire protection.
“That question, we’ve had a lot, and we said that there’s really no problem in the state in generating revenue,” Massie said. “The state has all sorts of opportunities whether it’s a sales tax and income tax.”
However, DiMauro said it isn’t just residential property owners who pay property taxes.
“It’s also paid by businesses all across the state,” DiMauro said. “So, eliminating property taxes immediately is going to shift the load to individual citizens all across Ohio.”
The group must now collect more than 400,000 valid voter signatures and turn them into the Secretary of State’s Office by July 2 to get the proposed amendment on the November ballot.
Massie said the group has volunteers ready to start collecting the signatures across the state. If it does not make the November ballot, the group will try for next May’s election, he added.
