COLUMBUS, Ohio — Frustration and anger over rising property taxes has sparked a grassroots rebellion in Ohio, where fed-up residents are now driving a constitutional amendment that could eliminate property taxes altogether, according to Newsweek.
The movement, led by Citizens for Property Tax Reform, seeks to put the question of whether to abolish property taxes directly to Ohio voters this November. The group needs at least 413,000 valid signatures from registered voters across half of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 1, though organizers are aiming for at least 600,000 to ensure they meet the threshold.
The campaign in Ohio was born out of frustration experienced by Beth Blackmarr, a homeowner in Lakewood in Cuyahoga County. After receiving a letter notifying her of a 51.9% increase in her property’s assessed value, Blackmarr was stunned. She purchased her home in 1996 for $76,000 and it is now valued at nearly $300,000.
Blackmarr told Newsweek that she called city officials about the huge increase, explaining the high property tax was a hardship for senior citizens. She said one official suggested she move if she could not afford the tax, but she didn’t move. She became mad and took action.
Teaming up with Keith Davey, founder of the senior-focused advocacy group Save Our Seniors, Blackmarr co-founded Citizens for Property Tax Reform, which has grown into a broader movement representing Ohio homeowners of all ages.
Supporters argue the initiative is necessary due to legislative inaction. Although the Ohio General Assembly formed a Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform more than two years ago, the only outcome has been a shelved report.
Inflation has driven the increase in property taxes, but Ohio lawmakers have not taken action after years of warning signs.
Ohio is not the only state where property owners are organizing to stop soaring property taxes. Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Pennsylvania are also exploring ways to reduce or abolish property taxes amid mounting public pressure. The surge in home values across the country has translated into higher tax bills, even in typically affordable markets like Ohio. Between 2019 and 2023, the median property tax in Ohio rose by 23%, outpacing the national average of 21.6%, according to Axios.
Ohio’s effective property tax rate stood at 1.3% in 2023, the eighth-highest in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation. Ohio is ranked 16th in housing affordability by Realtor.com.
Property taxes are a major revenue source for local governments. In 2023, Ohio collected $18.5 billion in property taxes, which fund essential services like public education, fire protection, and local infrastructure. Critics warn that eliminating this revenue could devastate communities and force deep cuts in services unless a replacement funding mechanism is found.
John T. Plecnik, associate professor of law at Cleveland State University and Lake County commissioner told Newsweek that the state can manage the shift by cutting wasteful spending and capitalizing on increased migration and investment if more people move to the state due to the property tax cut. More residents would generate more income tax for state coffers.
Plecnik argues that Ohio’s $100 billion state budget could absorb the loss through a 20% spending cut, returning the state to its 2023 budget levels. He added that taxpayers do not want to fund sports stadiums and company bailouts.
With the Ohio Ballot Board giving the green light, Citizens for Property Tax Reform has launched a petition campaign. Volunteers are canvassing door to door, staffing signature stations in local businesses, and organizing events at festivals and shopping centers.
If the group meets its goal by July 1, the decision will fall to Ohio voters in November.
For more information, visit the Citizens for Property Tax Reform website and follow River News Network for upcoming details on where you can sign the petition to abolish property taxes in Ohio.
River News Network is sponsoring the campaign in eastern Ohio counties. Check back here for more information, a copy of the legislation, and petition signing locations.
