By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
The following message is from Dan Troy, State Representative for District 23 (Lake and Cuyahoga County), in response to a question from a Lobbyists for Citizen’s reader.
Representative Troy understands Ohio’s property tax system better than most legislators, and we appreciate his concerns for the citizens. We hope to work with him and other Representatives and Senators to solve the problems of Lake County residents being taxed out of their homes because of ever-increasing property taxes.
Thank you for contacting me about rising property taxes.
I have felt for years that there needs to be a more transparent process, and that the system we do have is certainly unfair. That is why I proposed creating a Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform. My colleagues agreed with me that Ohio’s property tax system needs to be studied, and this committee was formed last January.
Just having experienced our six-year re-appraisal in our district, I have heard more uproar from the citizens on this rather than any other issue. Historically high percentage increases have caused considerable anger and fear over their ability to make ends meet when the bills for those increases come due in 2025. There is a great outcry on this issue for policy makers to do something. However the State Legislature get there, I believe that we have to separate the fact that increases in the value of what is probably the major investment (owning a home) one makes in their life automatically results in higher property tax bills.
I am concerned about the sudden increase in property taxes, and I have proposed legislation to decrease property taxes for those who most need relief. The GOP Supermajority has not moved my bill out of committee. Additionally, the State Legislature has shifted the costs of essential government services from the State of Ohio Government to local governments. This tax shifting has caused local governments to raise revenue by means of property taxes.
The Legislature should seriously consider measures like HB 645 that creates an income tax credit that targets up to $1,000 in relief to those whose property tax bill, or rent payment, exceeds 5% of their income. We should also analyze innovative circuit breakers being utilized in other states to assess their possible conformity and suitability to Ohio’s property tax code.
Rather than provide funding to people who need property tax relief, the Ohio Legislature has chosen instead to continue to cut income and corporate taxes that tend to benefit those that need the help the least. We should be using those dollars to help ease the burden of higher property taxes on those struggling to pay them.
Again, thank you for bringing your views on this matter to my attention.
Sincerely,
State Representative Daniel P. Troy
House District 23
77 South High Street, 10th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Categories: Lake, Real Estate Taxes, State of Ohio