The Ohio House will return to the Statehouse on July 21 for a rare summer session to attempt overriding Governor Mike DeWine’s vetoes on a slate of property tax reforms. DeWine rejected nearly every property tax provision included in the state’s new two-year budget, drawing swift pushback from legislative leaders. House Speaker Matt Huffman confirmed the override effort, setting up a high-stakes clash over tax relief and local government funding.
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DeWine’s Vetoes on Property Tax Relief
Governor DeWine vetoed several property tax provisions from Ohio’s new budget that aimed to ease burdens on homeowners by reducing rates and increasing oversight of local taxing entities. He rejected proposals allowing county budget commissions to lower voter-approved levies and capped school districts’ cash reserves at 40%, warning these could destabilize local services and school funding. Lawmakers argued the measures would offer relief to property owners, but DeWine insisted tax policy changes must be carefully balanced to protect essential public services. A legislative override session is expected later this month.
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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 defended his vetoes by stressing that the proposed property tax changes could threaten the financial stability of Ohio’s school districts. He argued that limiting school reserve funds and allowing cuts to voter-approved levies would undermine districts’ ability to manage funding gaps and emergencies. DeWine maintained that these provisions risked creating serious fiscal challenges for schools statewide.
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