Opposition Mobilizes Against Property Tax Abolition Issue
A statewide coalition on Thursday announced it will begin educating voters in a bid to stave off a potential November ballot issue that could eliminate property taxes.
Ohioans to Protect Public Services is a coalition made up of 65 organizations with bipartisan representation from police, fire, emergency medical personnel, educators and others.
The stated goal is highlighting the negative consequences the proposed constitutional amendment could have on public services and local governments. The Office of Budget & Management previously predicted "catastrophic" impacts from the move, given that local property taxes support about 65% of local tax revenue in Ohio.
The group’s members, a list of whom are available on its website, include associations, councils and coalitions spanning communities including education, business, local government, health care and more.
Ohio ALF-CIO President Tim Burga, whose group is a member, in an interview called the referendum “an extremely reckless proposition.”
“People feel squeezed right now. Everything costs so much,” he said. "I understand where the frustration comes from, but when people realize what all property taxes pay for, then I think they'll see this a little bit differently.”