(The Center Square) – Republican House of Representatives members voted Monday to override only one of the three Gov. Mike DeWine state budget vetoes that dealt with Ohio property taxes.
Needing 60 votes to override, Republicans got 61 to put back a provision that stops taxing districts from placing renewal or emergency levies on ballots.
It did not take up vetoes on how property tax rates are calculated for a 20-mil floor, which could reduce school tax revenue. The House also did not take up a potential override of a veto that would have required school districts that save more than 40% of their budget revenue to reduce property taxes.
Each could be considered for override at a later date.
“Today we’re taking a step toward transparency,” said Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson. “Today we are telling our homeowners they have the power. It’s a small but important step to say we are giving them the tools and the power.”
The override now heads to the Senate, which does not have a session scheduled, but President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, has said it could meet later this week.
Senate Democrats, however, called the House override of the one veto a punishment for school districts and communities.
“By overriding this veto, House Republicans are sending a clear message: they are willing to silence voters and dismantle the tools communities rely on to fund essential services,” said Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood. “This provision undermines local control, weakens public education, and erodes trust in our democratic institutions. This vote will strip communities of the ability to make decisions about their schools, fire departments, libraries, and more, and it directly contradicts the values of representative government. Ohioans deserve better than state-imposed barriers to community progress presented as fake property tax relief.”
DeWine, a Republican, said imposing all the changes could have created serious financial problems for school districts across the state.
