Ohio Faces Heated Debate Over Proposed Changes to Property Tax Levy Approval

Proposal Aims to Make Property Tax Increases Harder to Pass

Ohio is set to witness a major policy debate that could impact homeowners, schools, and essential public services across the state. A new bill, soon to be introduced by State Representative Dave Thomas, seeks to change how property tax levies are approved — shifting the current requirement from a simple majority vote to a supermajority of at least 60 percent.

Thomas, a former county auditor from Ashtabula, believes that such a change would ensure tax increases are supported by a wider base of the community rather than being decided by a narrow margin.

“We’re trying to make the whole community say yes to tax increases, versus just a small portion,” Thomas explained, noting that the intent is to make it more difficult for levies to pass and therefore reduce the financial burden on property owners.

Rising Property Values Add Pressure on Homeowners

The proposal arrives at a time when Ohio homeowners are already under pressure from rising property values, which are reassessed every six years. These increases often result in higher property taxes, especially when new levies are added to the equation. For many households, this growing tax burden is stretching family budgets thin.

Supporters of the bill argue that requiring a higher level of consensus before approving new levies is a reasonable safeguard for taxpayers. They contend that the supermajority rule will encourage communities to be more thoughtful and unified when deciding to take on new financial obligations.

Education Leaders Warn of Harm to Public Schools

However, the proposed change is facing significant opposition from education leaders, local officials, and community advocates who fear it will have devastating consequences on public services—especially schools.

Scott DiMauro, president of a statewide educators’ association, voiced deep concern about the bill's potential impact. He warned that raising the bar for levy approval would disproportionately affect students by making it harder for schools to secure the funding they need.

“This will have a negative impact on students who attend our public schools,” DiMauro said. “If school levies start failing, we’re going to see larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, reduced transportation, and cuts to sports and extracurricular activities.”

Local Services at Risk Beyond Education

The implications of the proposed legislation extend beyond education. Fire departments, police forces, libraries, and other essential services often rely on levy funding to maintain operations. If the passage rate threshold increases, many local communities could struggle to meet basic public service needs.

The bill has raised pressing questions about how cities, towns, and school districts would replace lost revenue in the event that fewer levies are approved. Thomas suggested that local governments could turn to alternatives like increasing sales or income taxes, saying the goal is to diversify sources of funding rather than depend solely on property taxes.

Yet critics argue that such suggestions are unrealistic and do not account for the complexities of local funding structures. They emphasize that instead of restricting levies, the state should focus on systemic solutions such as fully funding public education and offering broader tax relief.

Budget Cuts and Shifting Priorities Add to the Debate

The controversy over the bill is further intensified by recent budget analysis, which shows that the proposed 2026 state budget could cut public school funding by more than $100 million over the next two years. At the same time, more funding is being directed toward private school vouchers and charter institutions.

According to new projections, 87 percent of Ohio school districts are expected to lose funding if the budget is passed as proposed. This adds a new layer of urgency to the levy debate, as districts already struggling with budget shortfalls may find it nearly impossible to recover without the ability to pass local levies.

A Partisan Divide and an Uncertain Future

The bill currently lacks bipartisan support, raising questions about its viability in the legislature. Critics view the proposal as a politically motivated attempt to restrict funding for public institutions, while supporters frame it as a necessary measure to protect taxpayers from excessive increases.

As the debate unfolds in the coming weeks, the stakes remain high. At its core, the issue touches on fundamental questions about how communities invest in their future, balance fiscal responsibility, and ensure equitable access to services.

What Comes Next

Representative Thomas plans to formally introduce the bill next week, kicking off what is expected to be a heated and closely watched legislative battle. For now, the future of Ohio’s property tax levies—and the vital services they support—hangs in the balance.

Community members, educators, local officials, and lawmakers across the state will be watching closely, knowing that the outcome of this debate could reshape the landscape of local governance for years to come.