Latest news with #CitizensforPropertyTaxReform
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Ohio Residents Take Lead on Scrapping Property Taxes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ohio residents bogged down by rising bills have taken relief into their own hands, pushing forward a proposed constitutional amendment that could abolish property taxes in the state. Why It Matters A movement to drastically reduce or even eliminate property taxes is gaining momentum across the U.S., especially in GOP-led states, after years of rising home values have left homeowners struggling with higher bills. Four states—Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Pennsylvania—have plans to abolish property taxes, while in Ohio, a grassroots movement is trying to shake state lawmakers into action by pushing for a ballot initiative that would ask voters whether they want to keep property taxes or get rid of them. If their campaign is successful, Ohio homeowners stand to save thousands of dollars, but local governments risk losing funding for public services like firefighting and education. A home in Burton, Ohio, on October 24, 2023. A home in Burton, Ohio, on October 24, 2023. Getty Images What To Know Between 2019 and 2024, property taxes rose in nearly every U.S. metropolitan area, according to a Redfin study, including in Ohio, which is normally considered to have a relatively affordable housing market. From 2019 to 2023, the median property tax in Ohio rose by 23 percent, above the national average of 21.6 percent, Axios reported. As of 2023, according to the Tax Foundation, Ohio had the eighth-highest effective property tax rate in the country at 1.3 percent, despite being 16th on list of the most affordable markets in the country. Some Ohioans appeared to have had enough. The campaign to eliminate property taxes in the Buckeye State is being led by Citizens for Property Tax Reform, a grassroots movement spearheaded by homeowner Beth Blackmarr. Blackmarr, a resident of Lakewood, told that her home's assessed value jumped by 51.9 percent last year, leading her to receive a much higher property tax bill as the property she originally bought for $76,000 now is considered worth $299,000. Together with Keith Davey, founder of the grassroots group Save Our Seniors, Blackmarr launched Citizens for Property Tax Reform to spur property tax reform in the state. According to Blackmarr, Ohio lawmakers have had plenty of opportunities to offer relief to homeowners struggling with rising property taxes but have been unwilling or unable to address the issue, which is hitting seniors the hardest. "I suspect it's because they built a wobbly tower of property tax law over these decades and they're afraid to pull one of the blocks out, because they're afraid the whole thing's gonna come tumbling down," she told CleveScene. That's why Blackmarr decided that Ohio homeowners had to take the situation into their own hands, promoting the changes they want to see. The group's campaign was initially focused on seniors but has extended to a full-scale campaign for all homeowners. The initiative, however, has its critics, who fear that abolishing property taxes would leave local governments without sufficient funds to support crucial public services. According to the Ohio Department of Taxation, $18.5 billion was collected in the state in 2023, which would be hard to replace with other sources of revenue. The measure, though, is moving forward. Last month, the Ohio Ballot Board signed offon the proposal to amend the Ohio constitution to abolish property taxes, giving official permission to Citizens for Property Tax Reform to start gathering signatures supporting the measure's appearance on the November ballot. The measure is among nearly 20 other bills that Ohio lawmakers will consider to reduce property taxes. Newsweek contacted Blackmarr and Save Our Seniors for comment by email on Tuesday morning. What People Are Saying House Minority Leader Allison Russo, in a statement after the Ohio Ballot Board's meeting: "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. 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." Ohio state Senator Bill DeMora, in a statement shared by ABC6: "It's frustration of citizens that the Legislature won't take action on common-sense issues. "Ending property taxes would be a disaster for the state of Ohio and local governments. I think it's a stupid idea, but again, I understand the frustration of people because their property taxes are too high, and the Legislature hasn't acted." What Happens Next Citizens for Property Tax Reform's campaign needs to collect at least 413,000 valid signatures from registered voters in half of the state's 88 counties by July 1. If they do, the measure will appear on the November ballot, and it will be up to voters to decide whether they want to keep or eliminate property taxes.
Axios
6 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Ohio group pushes to abolish property taxes
A group of Ohioans is seeking a statewide vote this November to eliminate property taxes statewide. Why it matters: Abolishing the tax would slash billions in funding for a variety of public services, including schools, which heavily rely on property tax levies. Catch up quick: The movement is led by Citizens for Property Tax Reform, based in Cuyahoga County. The group got the go-ahead earlier this month to start collecting signatures for the proposed constitutional amendment. What's next: Organizers have until early July to gather about 443,000 signatures from at least half of Ohio's 88 counties to reach the November ballot. Gathering began in earnest this week, group founder Keith Davey tells Axios. How it works: In Ohio, property values are based on county auditor appraisals every six years. The Department of Taxation uses mills to calculate how many dollars owners pay per $1,000 of property value. Municipalities tax property at different millage rates, but Ohio law establishes a 20-mill "floor" that guarantees school districts a certain amount of property tax revenue. Davey says his group believes increasing taxes based on increasing value is a "tax on unrealized gains." Threat level: Property tax rates and uses vary, but they're the main source of funding for schools in many communities. Local property taxes account for 70% of the Columbus City Schools' general fund. "To eliminate property taxes would completely pull the rug out of the public schools and other public services all across the state," Ohio Education Association president Scott DiMauro told WBNS-TV. What they're saying: State Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma) said in a statement that lawmakers should view the push for abolition as a sign that reform — rather than elimination of the tax — is needed. "The Ohio General Assembly has all but ignored the pleas for property tax reform for years, so it is no wonder Ohioans are trying to take this into their own hands." Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano has shared concerns about schools, senior services and the zoo. Abolishing property taxes would "cripple" townships, according to Heidi Fought, executive director of the Ohio Township Association. The other side: Davey says school funding concerns are the most common thing he hears, but says "our group does not advocate defunding anything" and instead advocates for funding "not attached to our property." He says state and local officials have had plenty of time to change property tax funding mechanisms, and now it's time to force their hand. "For years, I've been hearing that they don't have the time to put something together," he says. "But in two weeks, they put together a $600 million bond issue for the Cleveland Browns."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio property tax repeal campaign preparing to collect signatures
Ballot petition signature collection. Photo by WEWS. In a short meeting, the Ohio Ballot Board signed off on a proposed constitutional amendment abolishing property taxes in the state. The only question before the board was whether the proposal contains one or multiple amendments. Supporters contend lawmakers have been unwilling or unable to make significant enough changes as property taxes climb. But critics warn eliminating that revenue stream could cripple important services like schools and first responders. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The day after the ballot board meeting, Beth Blackmarr described her mood as 'busy.' 'Busy, busy, busy,' she said, 'I mean, here we go — we've got to hit the ground running.' Blackmarr is part of the organization Citizens for Property Tax Reform which is leading the repeal campaign. With the ballot board's decision, the group is now able to start gathering signatures to appear on the ballot. To go before voters, they'll need 10% of the electoral turnout from the last governor's race (just shy of 415,000). Additionally, in 44 of Ohio's counties, they'll need signatures from at least 5% of the governor's race turnout. In practice, campaigns turn in hundreds of thousands more signatures than necessary to make up for any rejections. Blackmarr said they want to start collecting 'as soon as humanly possible,' and work could begin as early as next week. Asked whether they'd work with paid circulators, she just laughed. 'Many of us are youthful at heart, but senior citizens that are just really working out of our pockets,' she said. 'There's no big money backing this at all. It's all volunteer.' What would happen if Ohio abolished property taxes? Blackmarr argued Ohio's current property tax system is broken. She points to other states like New Jersey and Texas that have far more generous initiatives to keep seniors, vets and the disabled in their homes. 'You can't have senior citizens who have paid for their homes — fully paid for — having to move out because they can't afford property tax,' she insisted. Blackmarr contends those kinds of protections are low-hanging fruit. Lawmakers have had continual warnings and 'ample opportunity' to act. Instead, she argued, they've dithered with changes at the margins. 'I suspect it's because they built a wobbly tower of property tax law over these decades,' she said, 'and they're afraid to pull one of the blocks out, because they're afraid the whole thing's gonna come tumbling down.' That 'tumbling down' is exactly the concern many critics voice about the plan. The most recent annual report from the Ohio Department of Taxation puts 2023 property tax collections at about $18.5 billion. That's an enormous amount of funding to just disappear. It's roughly double the amount reported for state income taxes, and a billion more than Ohio's sales and use tax. Spread evenly, it would cost every single Ohioan more than $1,500 to make up that gap in funding. Blackmarr argued repeal will just force lawmakers 'to come up with an alternative.' But that's a big ask — particularly for Republicans allergic to tax increases. Still she's right about dramatic increases in property taxes. The same Department of Taxation report shows assessed values climbing almost 40% in five years while tax collections have risen more than 21%. In a statement following the ballot board decision, House minority leader Allison Russo said the proposal 'clearly demonstrates frustration by Ohioans on this issue' and blamed lawmakers for failing to act. '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,' she said. Russo argued Democrats have signed on to bipartisan legislation providing direct relief but Republican leaders haven't prioritized those bills. Blackmarr acknowledged that as their campaign gains steam, pressure will grow on lawmakers to pass legislation or propose their own ballot measure to undercut their efforts. 'At the end of the day it goes to the voters,' she said. 'They have to make the decision for themselves.' And if lawmakers' intervention means voters have to choose between competing visions, that's just fine with Blackmarr. 'Wouldn't that be nice, you know?' she said. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio citizens working to get proposal on ballot to abolish property taxes
(iStock / Getty Images Plus) A group of homeowners is taking tax relief into their own hands — fighting to get a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would abolish property taxes. Property taxes are at an all-time high for Marlene Homan in Cleveland. 'When you're on Social Security, that's a lot of money,' Homan said of the increase in her tax bill. 'And I know a lot of people got hit with a lot worse.' And with reappraisals and voter-approved tax hikes, it has been pricing some Ohioans out of their homes. 'Where does it end?' she asked. Due to what Lakewood advocate Beth Blackmarr calls the lack of movement from lawmakers to provide relief, residents are taking taxes into their own hands. 'We really need change, because nothing was getting done — substantially,' Blackmarr said. She is leading a movement to abolish property taxes in the state, and the Citizens for Property Tax Reform is on their way to getting a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Click here to read the full proposal. 'Legislators, in many ways, are reluctant to dive in,' she added. State Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson) has been tasked by House Speaker Matt Huffman to help devise property tax relief. The Northeast Ohio lawmaker understands the concerns, he said, but is asking homeowners to be patient. 'I know our members are motivated, it's just also getting it right and making sure the policy is a good one,' he said. 'We don't want to do anything that's just real quick or haphazard.' Gov. Mike DeWine raised another concern about what happens to local governments, police stations and schools if there are no more property taxes. 'I understand [their concerns], but they have an obligation — I think a moral obligation — to come forward and explain how they're going to pay for schools, how they're going to pay for the things that we value in Ohio,' the governor told us. Many schools rely on property taxes for the vast majority of their funding, with some Cleveland-area schools at about 80%. 'There are other ways that this can be approached,' Blackmarr said about funding schools. 'SDIT, a school district income tax, to help balance out the property taxes in their district.' But the advocate said that this movement doesn't have to hit the ballot. 'So really, this is the power going back to the people?' we asked. 'It is; it's the power back to people,' she responded. 'Hopefully, what legislators will do, is counter with some legislation of their own.' The state ballot board will decide Wednesday if the organization can start collecting signatures for the November ballot. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
