Ohio House overrides DeWine budget veto

The Ohio House of Representatives on Monday narrowly overrode one of Gov. Mike DeWine’s line-item vetoes to HB 96 (FY 2026–2027 budget), but chose not to vote on two other vetoed provisions, leaving them tabled until the fall.

By a 61–28 vote, the House overturned veto Item 66, which sought to eliminate authority for school districts and other political subdivisions to levy replacement property tax levies, including fixed‑sum emergency and substitute levies. “Item 66 eliminates the tool to make it easier to increase property taxes,” said Rep. David Thomas, R‑Jefferson, lead proponent of property tax relief, during floor debate Monday.

However, the chamber did not take up votes on Item 55, granting county budget commissions the authority to reduce voter-approved levies, or Item 65, which would include certain levies in the “20‑mill floor” calculation for school funding. Instead, both remain tabled, pending further session scheduling later this year.

House leadership prioritized Item 66 as the most urgent relief measure. As Fox19 reported, the plan was to consider all three vetoes on July 21. But after successfully passing Item 66, the House adjourned debate and deferred Items 55 and 65. According to Ohio CPA Association and House news updates, “other items may be considered at future scheduled sessions”.

Pro–override voices emphasized property tax pressure on homeowners: “I hear, literally every day from my constituents that their property taxes are spiking, it’s just pushing them to the brink,” said Rep. Thomas. He and other Republicans claimed the new rules would help communities re-examine levy renewals and limit tax increases.

Opponents raised concerns about underfunding schools and municipalities. Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D‑Cincinnati) warned on the floor: “These veto overrides are not what’s needed to help the people of Ohio right now,” citing competing priorities like affordable child care, education, housing, and health care.

Rep. Lauren McNally, D‑Youngstown, stressed during debate Monday that the governor vetoed the measures for caution: “They are drastic changes, that will hurt our local communities. Overriding this veto will fast‑track a bill far from perfect”.

And Ohio Capital Journal columnist Karen Kasler reported GOP lawmakers scrambled to whip votes for all three overrides, but acknowledged GOP unity was fragile: “There’s a tremendous amount of pressure and our members are definitely feeling it,” said Rep. Thomas.

The override on Item 66 now goes to the Ohio Senate, where 20 votes (three‑fifths) are required. The Senate vote may occur quickly, possibly this week.

Meanwhile, Items 55 and 65 await further House action. The delay offers lawmakers additional time to solicit input from local governments, school officials, and residents, and to weigh pressure from both constituents urging tax relief and local leaders warning of funding instability. When speaking with Ohio.News just after the special session adjourned, Rep. Thomas confirmed the plan is to come back in October to override the remaining two issues, 55 and 65.

All three veto items are part of Gov. DeWine’s broader effort to balance property tax relief with preservation of stable local and school funding. He vetoed 67 budget line items overall, citing concerns that such changes “could undermine the financial stability of local governments and school districts  and create inequities” in Ohio’s tax system.

Proponents argue that relief measures curb growing tax burdens, while opponents argue they may hinder essential services. As Ohio prepares for the next tax year, legislators must work to reconcile these competing priorities, either by reinserting the deferred items in the budget or awaiting Senate resolution.