No one knows whether a plan to abolish property taxes in Ohio will be on the November ballot.
But opponents aren’t waiting around to find out.
Education groups, unions, business leaders and local officials have banded together to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment to ban taxes on real property. The statewide coalition, dubbed Ohioans to Protect Public Services, includes dozens of groups that don’t always see eye-to-eye on policy.
On this, they agree: Eliminating property taxes would be disastrous for Ohio.
“This is two-thirds of local tax revenue for local services that’s at stake here,” said Curt Steiner, a spokesperson for the coalition. “It’s going to require massive reductions in service levels or big taxes in other areas. We’re making those points now.”
To make the Nov. 3 ballot, the amendment’s backers must collect more than 413,000 signatures from at least 44 counties by July. Organizers stayed quiet about their progress for months but plan to reveal the current tally during an April 23 news conference near Cleveland.
“The state Legislature refuses to cut property taxes in any meaningful way,” said Lake County Commissioner John Plecnik, who supports the effort. “The politicians are leaving the people no choice but to flip the table and start over with the constitutional amendment to abolish property taxes.”
Group launches campaign against Ohio property tax ban
The anti-property tax movement is entirely grassroots and has no financial backing. Still, it’s been active enough to make politicians and policy advocates sweat.
With the amendment looming, lawmakers passed several bills last year to slash property taxes and cap future tax increases. Not everyone was impressed. Critics contend the new laws don’t do enough to ease the burden on local governments and help homeowners who need relief the most.
But even groups that weren’t thrilled with the legislation say it’s better than axing property taxes altogether.
“Eliminating this source of funding without a plan to replace it will lead to larger class sizes, fewer opportunities and fewer supports for the children who need them most – not to mention essential funding for building maintenance, repairs and upgrades,” said Jeff Wensing, president of the Ohio Education Association.
Ohioans to Protect Public Services launched a website that outlines the impact of property taxes on schools, libraries, police and other services. It also highlights research that suggests the amendment could lead to sales tax hikes and hurt government bond ratings.
Ohio schools and local governments collect about $24 billion in property taxes each year, according to the Office of Budget and Management.
Steiner said the coalition hasn’t paid for advertising and will rely on members to spread the word. But their strategy could change if the amendment makes the ballot this year.
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Opposition mounts against proposal to abolish Ohio property taxes
Reporting by Haley BeMiller, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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