Governor Mike DeWine’s vetoes in Ohio’s new state budget are raising concerns among Republican lawmakers, particularly over provisions that would have reduced property taxes. The budget, which also includes a $600 million taxpayer-funded allocation for the Cleveland Browns’ stadium, has sparked a debate about tax relief efforts in the state.
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DeWine’s Vetoes on Property Tax Relief
Governor DeWine, a Republican, has rejected several provisions from the Ohio Senate’s new budget that aimed to ease property tax burdens. Lawmakers had hoped the changes would help property owners by reducing tax rates and improving accountability for local taxing entities.
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Controversial Tax Provisions Rejected
DeWine vetoed the proposal that would have capped school district reserves at 40% of their budget. Lawmakers argued that the cap would free up funds to reduce property taxes, but DeWine warned that it could lead to more tax levies and increased taxes for Ohioans.
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Schools Respond to Vetoed Plan
School districts expressed concerns over the vetoed proposal, emphasizing that reserve funds are vital for covering emergencies, maintaining bond ratings, and handling state funding cuts. They viewed the plan as a shortsighted move that could harm their financial stability.
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GOP Senators Criticize DeWine’s Decision
Senate President Rob McColley and Senate Finance Chairman Jerry Cirino, both Republicans, criticized the vetoes, arguing that they would have helped control property tax growth and ensured greater transparency. In a joint statement, they said, “We appreciate the governor’s support of our significant income tax reform… yet it is puzzling that at a time when Ohioans are demanding a reduction in their property tax burden, the governor vetoed all of the General Assembly’s reforms.”
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Veto on Local Tax Cuts
DeWine also vetoed a provision that would have allowed county commissions to reduce school district levies that voters had approved. This would have given local governments more flexibility to adjust tax rates to help relieve property tax burdens for residents.
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DeWine’s Stance on Financial Stability
The governor explained that these changes could have jeopardized the financial stability of school districts, which rely on reserve funds to weather funding gaps and unexpected expenses. He maintained that the vetoed provisions could lead to serious fiscal problems for schools across the state.
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