COLUMBUS, Ohio — A volunteer-driven campaign is working to eliminate property taxes in Ohio through a constitutional amendment, drawing both support and sharp criticism from lawmakers and education advocates.
The AxOHTax movement is collecting signatures to place the Abolishment of Taxes of Real Property amendment on the ballot. Organizers need more than 400,000 signatures by July and say volunteers are working in every county, though they’re not disclosing current totals.
Committee members Brian Massie and Leonard Gilbert say their push began over a decade ago while advocating for senior tax relief. They argue rising property taxes are forcing residents, especially those on fixed incomes, out of their homes.
After years of what they describe as lawmakers ignoring their concerns, the pair launched the grassroots effort with other frustrated Ohioans. If the amendment passes, they say it will be up to the legislature to cut spending and manage priorities.
Strong Opposition from Educators, Officials
The proposal has drawn bipartisan pushback from legislators and groups like the Ohio Education Association, which warns the measure would devastate funding for schools and local emergency services.
OEA President Jeff Wensing acknowledged that property tax relief is needed but said it cannot come at the expense of public education. He questioned how the state would replace the lost revenue and what services would be cut.
According to a memo from Ohio’s Office of Budget and Management Director Kimberly Murnieks to Governor Mike DeWine, property taxes generate approximately $24 billion annually. Murnieks warned that abolishing them would have catastrophic impacts on essential local services.
The movement’s organizers maintain that managing state priorities and spending is the responsibility of elected officials, not taxpayers struggling to keep their homes.
