Latest news with #MikeDeWine
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What does the Ohio House property tax override mean?
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio House pushed for property tax relief this week, but legislators disagree on whether removing some property tax authority will help Ohioans' pocketbooks. Gov. Mike DeWine signed Ohio's 2026-2027 budget into law on June 30, but vetoed 67 provisions within the several thousand page document. On Monday, the Ohio House held a rare out-of-season session to override one of the budget vetoes in an attempt to provide property tax relief. During the vote, politicians on both sides of the aisle said Ohio's tax system is too complex to be productive, so NBC4 is breaking this issue down. Olentangy coach resigns amid investigation into inappropriate text messages What happened? On Monday, 89 of the House's 99 members met and voted to override DeWine's veto on school district property tax levy restrictions. The move needed 60 votes, and it successfully passed 61-28. The House originally planned to vote on three overrides, but leaders said they did not think they had the votes due to absences. See previous coverage in the video player above. It is now up to the Senate to decide if they will also vote on the override, but they have not yet announced plans to vote. The override is not official unless 20 of Ohio's 33 Senators concur. What could change? If the Senate concurs the veto override, Ohio would change what type of property tax levies schools and other services could place on the ballot. The changes stop schools and political subdivisions, like fire departments or libraries, from introducing replacement and emergency levies. This change also stops school districts from asking for operating levies if it has too much money left over in their general funds. Replacement levies occur when a levy is expiring, and can either keep the same levy in place or, more commonly, replace it with a higher tax rate. Emergency levies are used when funding is crucial to keep operating, and they expire after a set number of years. These are all operating levies, meaning they are used to pay for daily necessities like supplies, utilities and salaries. These funds typically cannot be used for permanent improvement projects, like building a new high school or fire department. House members in favor of the changes said words like 'emergency' and 'replacement' can influence people to vote for property tax increases they may not want. They hope removing these levy options will promote transparency in levy requests. Bobcats, bald eagles and bears, oh my! Species seeing population growth in Ohio What does this mean for schools? This would limit how public school districts are allowed to ask for public money by removing several levy options. Schools would still be allowed to request other property tax levies. The Ohio Education Association (OAE) said these levies are crucial for school districts' long-term financial stability. Replacement levies are frequently used to help districts keep up with inflation, so having to always seek new levies brings a more complicated request to taxpayers. According to the OAE, this change could force Ohio schools to increase class sizes and cut programming. Schools will also no longer be allowed to ask for certain levies if they carry over more than 100% of their expenditures in their general funds from school year to school year. School districts say this is an important protection for long-term financial planning, as they cannot ask for more money even if they say they need more. House Republicans who voted in favor of the override said it will encourage districts to be more fiscally responsible. Proponents of the change say this is not taking money from schools, as voters will still have the opportunity to approve levies. Opponents, like Rep. Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus), said the veto would limit the choices Ohioans have at the ballot. What does this mean for local services? Although the change affects school districts immensely, it also affects political subdivisions like local governments, fire departments, libraries and parks. All of these services rely on property taxes, and many of them use replacement levies to stay afloat. For instance, Franklin Township had two replacement levies fail in the past year, leading them to have to close one of their two fire stations. Legislators and advocates who disagree with the possible property tax change say examples like this prove Ohioans already have control over whether or not to pass a levy. Like local schools, this could make it more difficult to pass levies, or just complicate how these services are asking for funding. House Democrats say these services will have to choose between more frequent levy requests or making budget cuts. House Republicans largely say this will protect taxpayers from overreach and encourage local services to be better stewards of tax dollars. Three months later, still no updates in OSU investigation of hidden cameras in dorm bathroom What does this mean for my taxes? Even if the Senate concurs this veto override, this change does not guarantee a different property tax rate for Ohioans. The change reduces how many types of levies subdivisions can ask for, but fewer levies may not correlate with fewer levy requests. Proponents say this will help provide transparency at the ballot and prevent tax hikes that voters may not expect. The change would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, so it would not change tax laws until after the November election. Proponents say this is a proactive change to help future overreach. Opponents say it is unlikely this will provide meaningful property tax relief because it does not address immediate pressures. They said it could even add financial pressure for taxpayers as local governments and schools try to find other revenue sources. Ohio leaders say property tax reform is coming, regardless of whether the override stands. Gov. Mike DeWine has tasked a property tax reform work group with analyzing concerns and generating solutions by Sept. 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
3 police officers injured in ambush shooting in Ohio, officials say
Three police officers were wounded and a man was killed in an exchange of gunfire early Wednesday afternoon in an industrial area of Lorain, Ohio. Elyria Police Chief James Welsh told reporters officers on patrol were ambushed by a man firing a high-powered rifle. Officers returned fire, he said. He said it is unclear if the suspect, a 28-year-old man from Lorain whom Welsh did not name, was killed by the officers or shot himself. Welsh said the man is believed to have acted alone. "This was an ambush situation" on River Bend Drive about 1 p.m., Welsh said. Details about a possible motive were not disclosed. "At this point, we can confirm that he's a lone gunman." Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley said in a phone interview that Lorain officers will get counseling to help process the shooting of their colleagues. The wounded officers' names were not immediately released. Two officers were flown to a trauma center, while the third was initially treated at Mercy Health-Lorain Hospital, Bradley said. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said on Wednesday that he was briefed on the shooting. In a post on X, he said it "appears to have been a targeted attack on law enforcement." State Rep. Joe Miller said he is "praying for the quick and full recovery" of the injured officers in a post on X "My thoughts are also with the families of the officers in this difficult moment. I thank our brave law enforcement officials who acted to protect Lorain," the lawmaker posted to the social media site.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Governors Plan to Rebuke Managers of Largest U.S. Electric Grid
Angry with the rising cost of electricity, a bipartisan group of governors is expected to dress down officials that manage the nation's largest power grid system on Wednesday for failing to rein in costs. A representative for nine Eastern governors is expected to address executives of the grid system, known as PJM, during a meeting at its headquarters in Audubon, N.J., near Philadelphia. The grid stretches across 13 states, serving more than 67 million consumers from Chicago to Virginia Beach. 'As our regional grid confronts intertwined reliability and affordability crises, PJM itself faces an unprecedented crisis of confidence from market participants, consumers and the states,' nine governors wrote last week in a letter to PJM, a nonprofit organization. 'In the past, other regions looked to join PJM due to its many strengths; today, across the region, discussions of leaving PJM are becoming increasingly common.' A 10th governor, Mike DeWine, Republican of Ohio, sent a separate letter to PJM making similar points. In June, The New York Times reported that Democratic and Republican governors were increasingly angry and frustrated with PJM. Many of them have said the nonprofit is not doing enough to check the rising cost of electricity, including by not moving quickly enough to add cheaper sources of energy to its grid. State officials have been communicating with one another about their concerns, including what they say is the nontransparent way in which PJM makes important decisions about the grid. The officials also say the nonprofit, which is run by industry representatives and overseen by a federal regulatory agency, is not sufficiently accountable to state lawmakers or residents. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio school district leaders express mixed reactions to Governor Dewine's budget vetoes
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The new state budget is in effect after Gov. Mike DeWine issued 67 vetoes, many of which directly impacted public education funding. Leaders from Ohio's largest school district, Columbus City Schools, shared their reaction to the budget. The superintendent, treasurer, and school board president all said there are pros and cons to the budget. They are happy with the governor's vetoes, but are still worried about having enough money to educate students. CCS leaders said the biggest issue with the budget comes down to the Fair School Funding Plan, a bipartisan effort created in 2021 that makes sure school districts get the state funding they need. Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman said the funding formula in the current budget does not keep up with inflation. Honda Marysville faces lawsuit over unpaid time 'We know that the cost of educating our students today has not decreased. Those costs are actually increasing, but the revenue has not caught up with those that increase cost,' said Dr. Chapman. Treasurer Ryan Cook said the formula uses cost data from 2022 instead of 2025. 'We continue to evaluate every way possible to do more with less,' said Cook. Cook and Chapman said this lack of funding could have immediate and long-term effects on students' education. 'We have to make sure that our classrooms have the resources that they need. Our teachers are ready,' said Dr. Chapman. 'Our staff are ready to support our students when they return, regardless of what funding source is in or out.' The superintendent and treasurer both expressed their gratitude to Gov. DeWine and his many vetoes that are beneficial to school districts, including those on property tax relief and a cap on how much money districts could carry over. 'I think it's important to note the appreciation to Governor DeWine on all of his vetoes that help protect public education, public funding of that, local control, not just for school districts but municipalities,' said Cook. Columbus Board of Education President Michael Cole said if lawmakers decide to override any of these vetoes, it could be detrimental to CCS and other districts statewide. 'The way that the governor set this is right and appropriate. Don't change it. Don't undo things that were thoughtfully put in place to protect students,' said Cole. Ohio House members said they will return to the statehouse later this month so they can talk about overriding some of the governor's vetoes, most regarding property tax relief. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Is Ohio's funding fair yet? Fair School Funding Plan sponsor says not quite
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — When high school history teacher John Patterson won his first state House race, he wanted to fix Ohio's public school funding. More than a decade later, the state has once again implemented his funding plan, but Patterson said Ohio still has a ways to go. 'It's going to be, again, a commitment to right this ship,' Patterson said. 'We didn't get here overnight. We're not going to get out overnight.' Ohio uses the Cupp-Patterson Fair School Funding Formula to determine how much money each public school district should get from the state. Under Ohio's new biennial budget, which was signed late on June 30 by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, the formula was phased in as the 'largest overall school funding investment' in Ohio's history, per DeWine. Public school advocates say the state is still underfunding schools by $2 billion. Patterson said Ohio is not yet fairly funding districts, as the state needs to consider all aspects of the formula, update its financial data more regularly and embrace bipartisan solutions. How Ohio's recently passed budget will expand driver's ed requirements Patterson, a Democrat, created the Fair School Funding Plan alongside former Speaker of the Ohio House Robert Cupp, a Republican. The pair spent several years working with legislators, superintendents and school treasurers to develop a formula to fund schools adequately. This formula weighs individual factors for each of Ohio's 611 public school districts to determine which needs more state support. Patterson said although he's glad the formula was continued, equitable funding requires a better implementation of the formula's categorical inputs. The categorical portion examines transportation demands, economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, special education and other important factors that Patterson said have been largely sidelined in Fair School Funding discussions. He also asked the state to consider more efficient updates. Under the current funding plan, districts have to update their data inputs with the most recently available data. However, the state will use data from 2022 through the end of Fiscal Year 2027, widening the gap between districts' inputs and the state's annually. Patterson said the cost of running a school, like the cost of groceries, has noticeably increased since 2022, so using outdated data points minimizes how much schools get under the formula. Public school advocates have long echoed Patterson's worry about the state's use of outdated financial data, encouraging the state to use the most recently available information. Patterson said although the data should be more recent, a slight delay in the state's inputs is needed to properly plan allocations. However, he said districts still need to update their data annually to avoid skewing the formula. 'There's got to be a cushion there to make sure that there's enough money to cover what ought to happen,' Patterson said. 'Because remember the data inputs there, that's real dollars.' Ohio equal rights, gay marriage amendment eyes 2026 ballot Patterson said the funding plan blends property and income wealth to better understand a school district's ability to fund education. Property tax reform was a major issue this budget cycle, but Patterson was grateful DeWine vetoed reform proposals that could have skewed the formula. Patterson was glad to see DeWine created a new work group to tackle property tax instead, saying the problem is too ingrained in local funding systems to fold into the budget. Patterson said the legislators who were involved in developing and passing the Fair School Funding Plan are being phased out of the legislature, leaving a newer General Assembly without input from the original work group. He encouraged lawmakers to learn as much as possible about the funding plan and public districts' funding needs. 'That's the beauty of the Fair School Funding Plan. It's not a wish list. It's a real depiction of what school districts are spending in a certain amount of time in order to meet their obligations,' Patterson said. Patterson said Ohio's school funding — and adjacent property tax relief concerns — need bipartisan collaboration like his with Cupp on the formula. He said he spent more time with Cupp than he did with any other lawmaker except for his roommate, another Republican representative who shared an apartment with Patterson. 'It can be done if we want to do what's best for the people, and by doing what's best for the people, both parties are benefited as well,' Patterson said. 'Some are more concerned with climbing the ladder or holding on to power. I believe in doing what's right for the people, and that's who Bob Cupp is, too.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
