Ohio Senate passes property tax relief bill

The Ohio Senate passed State House Bill 124, a property tax relief-related bill, on November 12, which could help Ohioans struggling economically.

“The bill provides county auditors with the responsibility to determine the sales data used when assessing property values,” the Senate press release noted. “The bill recognizes that local officials have the best knowledge of property sales occurring in their own counties rather than deferring to the Department of Taxation when selecting data from each county.”

The Ohio Senate added that “with the Holiday Season on the horizon, the Ohio Senate continues to set policies that provide lasting benefits for Ohioans.”

“As the Senate continues its duty to set sound policy for the Buckeye State, what is best for Ohio and its citizens will always be top of mind for the Upper Chamber,” the politicians said.

The recent decision by the state’s politicians reflected the views of Buckeye State residents, who either strongly oppose raising property taxes or want them abolished altogether.

In the northeastern part of the state, Ohioans generally opposed school levies on Nov. 4 because they would raise property taxes.

Out of the 38 school ballot issues, 23 passed and 15 failed. According to News 5 Cleveland, renewal levies intended to raise taxes passed 18 out of 20 times, while those not intended to raise taxes passed 18 out of 20 times.

Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said that the schools would need to be more fiscally responsible if their levies fail.

“An understanding that schools have to be more precise in their spending,” he told the station. “They’re not going to be able to hire, especially on the administrative side, the people they’ve hired before.”

Republican Ohio House members previously addressed the property tax issue by passing a budget plan that would deliver property tax relief.

“It’s vitally important that as elected officials, members of the state legislature listen to the voices of Ohioans and address their priorities – and this budget delivers on that promise,” Huffman said. “By providing meaningful and record tax relief, investing in education, and focusing on Ohio families, we are building a stronger future for our state.”

One group, Citizens for Property Tax Reform, went so far as to advocate abolishing property taxes. Ohio Education Association president Scott DiMauro, Executive Director of the Ohio Township Association Heidi Fought and Butler County Auditor Nancy Nix opposed the elimination of property taxes.

“To eliminate property taxes would completely pull the rug out of the public schools and other public services all across the state,” DiMauro previously told WBNS-TV.