By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall, A Populist, Lake County resident, Average Citizen

Home ownership is the foundation of our freedom and liberty.

Leonard Gilbert and Brian Massie traveled to the Ohio Capitol Building to speak to the State Legislators about the ever-increasing property taxes that are pricing people out of their homes.

Unfortunately, not one Senator or Representative chose to attend the meeting. We thank the very young legislative aides that did attend the meeting, and hope that they can carry the message back to the legislators they work for. Here is a video of the meeting that we created for the citizens of Lake County and the State of Ohio.

We will continue to document our journey for our readers. We acknowledge that this will be a heavy lift, but it is the right thing to do for the citizens of Ohio.

In summary, we would like the legislators to address the ever-expanding local government:

1. Fix the Ohio Constitution and the Ohio Revised Code to prevent outside millage being treated like inside millage. Our current system of taxation creates tremendous increases in taxes without a vote of the taxpayers.
   
2. Establish checks and balances in County government by clearly defining the role of the County Budget Commission. Currently, the Budget Commission, especially in Lake County, is merely a “rubber stamp”, and permits accumulation of massive “rainy day” funds in County government.
   
3. Review alternative sources of funding to replace the Ohio property tax. We asked the aides to ask the legislators what is their vision for the State of Ohio. Are we to become a State of home owners, or renters?
   
4. Our current property tax laws allow for the taxation of unrealized gains. We ask that taxation not be tied to home ownership.
   
5. Simplify the current system of taxation since it is far too complex. Market value, true value, appraised value, assessed value, millage rates, effective rates, inside millage, outside millage, HB 920, 20 mill floor, various different types of levies, residential/agricultural rates, industrial/commercial rates and public utility rates, are some terms that demonstrate the need for simplicity.

If you would like to join us in our quest for fair, and simplified taxation, please provide us with your contact information at stoppropertytaxes@gmail.com…..

People ask what can they do in the short term to solve the ever-increasing property taxes. Our answer is to stop passing property tax levies. Vote NO on all future property tax levies so that elected officials will finally understand that you will not be priced out of your home with ever-increasing property taxes.

If you think that you own your home, you are mistaken. We are merely renters from the government.

ANY TAX THAT CAUSES A CITIZEN TO BECOME HOMELESS IS IMMORAL!

Here is an example of a Budget Commission meeting in Lake County:

Here is our favorite video of former Lake County Commissioner and State Representative explaining the two top priorities of government and politicians.

Categories: Community Activism, Lake, Real Estate Taxes, State of Ohio