Guam Overrides Veto; Phased Business Tax Rollback

The Ohio Senate voted 21-11 to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto to eliminate, beginning next year, several levy options for school districts and local governments — including replacement levies and types of fixed-sum and substitute emergency levies — a change Republicans called a step toward property tax reform while Democrats warned it would strip localities of revenue tools. Supporters and a state property-tax reform group said the measures reduced voter confusion, while school officials said the move could hamper day-to-day operations and might not immediately lower homeowners' taxes. In Guam, senators voted 11-4 to override Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero’s veto of the $1.35 billion FY2026 budget, approving a rollback of the business privilege tax (BPT) that phases the rate to 4.5% on Oct. 1 and to 4% by Oct. 1, 2026 (down from 5%). The BPT cut, supported by all nine Republicans and Sens. Tina Muña Barnes and Joe San Agustin, is estimated to reduce GovGuam revenues by about $40 million annually and officials said it prevents a government shutdown. Gov. Leon Guerrero opposed the cut, warning it could imperil funding for Guam Memorial Hospital and harm the island’s credit rating, citing Moody’s concerns, while critics cautioned about long-term fiscal impacts and disputed prioritizing the tax rollback over public services.