Ohio Governor DeWine Forms Property Tax Reform Working Group

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has established a Property Tax Reform Working Group co-chaired by former lawmakers Bill Seitz and Pat Tiberi to address rising property tax burdens in the state. The group is tasked with proposing concrete reforms by September 30 that provide meaningful relief to homeowners and businesses while maintaining adequate funding for schools, emergency services, libraries, and other local government functions. DeWine's initiative responds to increasing property values over the past decade, which have strained many family budgets, especially those on fixed incomes. The governor vetoed several property tax provisions in the recent state budget and the Ohio House plans to reconsider these vetoes. The working group aims to balance tax relief with the fiscal needs of public services, amid ongoing debates and previous ballot efforts to eliminate property taxes entirely, which critics argue would jeopardize funding for essential community services. Additional members of the panel will be announced soon as the group begins its review.