By Brian Massie, Citizen Journalist, A Watchman on the Wall
We thank a Lake County patriot for sending this press release to us.
Ohio Property Tax Working Group
Issues Recommendations
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Today Co-Chairs Pat Tiberi and Bill Seitz submitted a report to Governor DeWine with final recommendations of the Ohio Property Tax Working group.
The membership of the Property Tax Working Group includes:
- Co-Chairman Pat Tiberi, President and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable
- Co Chairman Bill Seitz, former State Representative
- Krista Bohn, Allen County Treasurer
- Chris Galloway, Lake County Auditor
- Matt Nolan, Warren County Auditor
- Steve Patterson, Mayor of Athens
- Dr. John Marschhausen, Superintendent of Dublin City Schools
- Stephanie Starcher, Superintendent of Fort Frye Local Schools
- Denise Driehaus, Hamilton County Commissioner
- Gary Scherer, Pickaway County Commissioner
- Jeff Chattin, Pike County Commissioner
Background & Purpose Statement
In recent years, Ohio’s property values have skyrocketed. These increases have led to rising property tax bills that are unsustainable for many Ohio homeowners. Elected officials have been working tirelessly to come up with concepts to combat the rise in property tax bills. Of note, the General Assembly formed the Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform which issued 21 recommendations in December 2024. Some of those recommendations were included in the most recent state operating budget in support of this effort. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
used his authority and took line-item actions on certain provisions, seeking a broader
conversation and review of those provisions, and other ideas surrounding property tax reform in Ohio.
Governor DeWine formed this Property Tax Working Group as a result of the recommendations included in the budget to ensure proposals were evaluated from all possible perspectives. Local services like schools, fire departments, law enforcement, and local governments rely on property tax funding, so the Governor formed a working group with local officials representing these perspectives with the mission of proposing recommendations that help lower Ohioans’ tax burden in as cost-effective manner as possible.
The Governor tasked Co-Chairmen Pat Tiberi and Bill Seitz, along with the broad and diverse group of local officials from around Ohio, with reviewing ideas and proposals, hearing from stakeholders, and coming to a consensus on recommendations they believe are achievable, workable, and impactful to Ohioans. The Governor also tasked this group with preparing this report by September 30, 2025.
The Governor’s Property Tax Working Group invited various entities to provide in-person testimony during the course of their meetings. The workgroup also accepted written testimony from all other entities, and Ohioans, wishing to make their voices heard. The working group received in-person testimony from:
- The Fair School Funding Plan Workgroup
- Buckeye Institute
- Policy Matters Ohio
- Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP)
- Ohio Education Policy Institute
- Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities
- Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
- Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano
Editorial Comment by Brian Massie, Lobbyists for Citizens
We find it very interesting that they did not call on the average citizens to provide input to the committee. We would have gladly exposed the lies, deceptions and betrayals perpetrated on the Ohio citizens by the state legislators.
We have been told that there are not enough votes to override the Governor’s previous veto, and we do not think anything will be done with the latest recommendations by this new committee. Senate President Rob McColley and House Speaker Matt Huffman have indicated that nothing will be done, and the citizens are just going to have to accept what the legislators give them. [Note: It is unclear if McColley and Huffman followed Marie Antoinette’s lead and said “Let them eat cake”!] Pricing seniors out of their homes and farmers out of their land is not even a concern for them.
We are being told that the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation does not support our amendment to abolish Ohio property taxes. Farmers are complaining to us and our circulators that they are losing their farms. We are trying to contact the Ohio Farm Bureau, but so far they have not returned our calls. Stay tuned.
We thank Lake County Auditor Chris Galloway for his leadership in addressing the lack of checks and balance in our tax system. He has long held that the County Budget Commission must be the ‘financial watchdogs” for the citizens. Currently, they are merely rubber stamps for the taxing authorities.
It is our position that the state and local government should not be in the business of property valuation. That is not a role of government.
Without property taxes our state and local government will be drastically cut in size. Our public sector has outgrown the private sector’s ability to pay for services.
Homeownership is the foundation of freedom and liberty. The citizens of Ohio want their freedom and liberty to be secure for this and future generations.
Taxing unrealized gains is not acceptable, and we will no longer be just renters from the government
ANY TAX CAUSING A CITIZEN TO BECOME HOMELESS IS IMMORAL!
WE SHALL JUDGE THEM BY THEIR FRUITS…
SIGN THE PETITION!
Categories: Lake, Real Estate Taxes, State of Ohio, Uncategorized