Rep. Peterson votes to override DeWine veto, spurring property tax relief for Ohioans

COLUMBUS – State Representative Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives voted to override the governor’s veto of Item 66, putting into motion landmark property tax reform through a provision that encourages levy transparency and promotes responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars on the local level.
 
The provision was originally included in the recently passed state operating budget, which included a number of actions that aimed to address the unprecedented surge in residents’ property tax burdens across the state through the most pro-taxpayer reforms in nearly 50 years.
 
The provision makes clarifying changes to ballot language, removes the authority for political subdivisions to charge new replacement property tax levies, and removes the authority for school districts to levy fixed-sum emergency or substitute levies, as well as renewal with an increase levies and combined school district income tax and fixed-sum property tax levies. The language also prohibits a district from requesting a new current expense levy if their prior year carryover balance in general operating funds is greater than 100% of expenses.
 
“These budget changes help assure that voters understand the property tax issues before them and require transparency in the process,” said Peterson.
 
Item 66 makes the following updates:

• Requires Public Meetings and Disclosure: Prohibits a school district from increasing tax revenue by changing (or shifting) the purpose of its inside millage without a public meeting – reducing stealth tax hikes.

• Encourages Levy Transparency: The language encourages levy transparency and treats school districts like other political subdivisions.

• Fiscally Conservative and Responsible: Ensures that school districts do not put new general expense tax levies on the ballot when the school district has over 100% of their expenses in reserves, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
 
The Ohio House of Representatives voted on the conference committee report for House Bill 96 on June 25th. The budget plan, which allocates funding for state programs and operations for the next two years, included provisions that aimed to protect freedom, family and fiscal responsibility – providing property tax relief for Ohioans, implementing a flat tax rate and ensuring a record amount of state funding for school districts.
 
On June 30, Governor Mike DeWine signed the Budget bill, but as part of his approval, vetoed 67 provisions passed by the legislature, including several that were intended to provide homeowners with immediate property tax relief in 2026.
 
Now that the House has taken action, in order for the provision to be enacted into the law, the Senate must also override the governor’s veto.