Let Ohio voters – i.e. taxpayers – decide

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Last winter, I offered an opinion that the Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes had earned a victory by placing pressure on lawmakers to address real property tax reform. Let's give lawmakers a chance, I wrote. They have passed reform measures. If they prove insignificant, there's always 2027 – and more time to ensure adequate funding of needed services. And yes, as always, I reserve the right to change my opinion on this very controversial issue.

Guess what? Today, I changed my opinion and signed a petition outside of the Hillsboro Post Office that, if successful, will give Ohio voters an opportunity to decide the issue of ever-increasing property taxes. I had spoken with a very pleasant husband and wife earlier in the week when making my daily trek to the Post Office. They had a simple table and two chairs set up outside with petitions for residents in Highland and surrounding counties to sign if anyone so chose.

They did not ask passersby or solicit anything from anyone. They simply sat outside with a small sign that explained their presence. In spite of this, they were heckled and insulted by some. That's unfortunate – and inexcusable.

The statewide signature petition drive does not change anything in Ohio. If successful, it simply gives Ohio voters a voice if they prefer a different direction.

It reminds me of the many times I covered county commission meetings in Highland and other counties. Almost without fail, when a county agency such as Children Services or another office approached commissioners for their "blessing" to place a levy or levy renewal on the ballot, commissioners acquiesced.

Being politicians, they generally added a caveat: "This is not our endorsement, just an agreement to place it on the ballot."

That's all the committee is asking.

A proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution is currently in the works by the Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes (see https://axohtax.com/).

The proposed amendment would add Section 14 to Article XII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio. The proposed amendment would abolish taxes on real property and prohibit any future taxes on real property. As used in Section 14, "real property" includes land itself, all growing crops therein, and all buildings, structures and improvements permanently attached to the land. This amendment shall take effect on the first day of the year after it is passed.

State lawmakers are well aware – albeit a bit late to the dance – of the problem. Republicans had been studying how to cut property taxes for two years, often calling the issue the No. 1 topic they hear about from voters. Ohio's property taxes are generally high compared to the national average, ranking among the top 10 states for property taxes as a percentage of home value, today placing around eighth highest in the U.S.

Frankly, I think Ohio's payers of property taxes are getting more than a bit frustrated – as well they should be.

Consider:

• As of late 2025, Ohio's "rainy day fund" (Budget Stabilization Fund) held a record-high balance of approximately $3.9 billion.

• As of early 2026, Ohio's adult-use cannabis market recreational sales topped $836 million in 2025, with total all-time cannabis sales (including medical) surpassing $3 billion. 

• Ohio sports betting reached a record $10.3 billion in total wagers during 2025, generating $1.04 billion in taxable revenue, according to the American Gaming Association. 

• There are new reports of $1.2 billion in Medicaid fraud in Ohio, mostly in Franklin County. Reports released in early May 2026 suggest widespread fraud across Ohio totaling over $1.2 billion, primarily through home health agencies.

According to The Daily Wire (see https://www.dailywire.com/news/medicaid-millionaires-how-the-feds-pay-i…), "This blatant waste happened within miles of the Ohio state Capitol, where Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, and his appointees run the state. In an age of artificial intelligence, the Medicaid system has seemed disinterested in even the most obvious red flags. Perhaps that’s because it’s largely run by states, but with half or more of the bill being footed by federal taxpayers.

"The Trump administration is now turning its sights to Medicaid fraud with a task force led by Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Vice President JD Vance. They may want to start with Vance’s home state."

After more than seven years as governor, this week DeWine announced that he is implementing several new fraud prevention initiatives to strengthen and build-upon long-standing efforts to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in the Ohio Medicaid system. (See https://highlandcountypress.com/news/dewine-announces-new-medicaid-frau….)

“Ohio has long been a national leader in fighting Medicaid fraud," DeWine said. "Ohio has one of the best Medicaid Fraud Control units in the country, and, in 2018, Ohio became the first state to implement Electronic Visit Verification in home health care.”

One of the best Medicaid Fraud Control units in the country?! Are you serious? That is beyond laughable. It sounds like something straight from the Tim Walz playbook.

If Ohio has "one of the best Medicaid Fraud Control units in the country," I'd hate like hell to see any lesser bureaucrats running the show. There are more than a billion reasons why this statement is beyond the pale.

No doubt feeling some pressure, DeWine approved a legislative package in December 2025 that supposedly will save taxpayers an estimated billions of dollars over the next three years by limiting how much future increases in property values can trigger automatic tax hikes. Time will tell.

This action only came about due to pressure from voters – especially the Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes, whose leadership – namely Brian Massie and Leonard Gilbert – spoke at the County Commissioners Association Winter Conference in Columbus on Dec. 3, 2025. (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rz3ze3Fmrs) 

This hourlong video presents a fair and balanced discussion on the property tax issue – from all sides. The CCAO representatives and area county auditors actually won the overall debate, in my opinion. (Of course, they were on their home turf and greatly outnumbered the two guest speakers.)

With that said, what took Ohio lawmakers so damn long to act? Will this substantially lower Ohio property taxes that are already the 8th-highest in the U.S. – this year or in 2027? How about 2028? Doubtful.

In 2018, my own property taxes were $1,942.70. In 2025, they leaped to $3,142.34 That's a 62-percent increase over eight years, with the highest increase occurring in the most recent year.

Do I expect them to decrease next year thanks to the actions of the "benevolent" governor and state lawmakers? I do not. 

Last winter, I said that in a perfect world, it would be far preferable that state lawmakers resolve this issue instead of seeing the property tax eliminated. They've had years to work on this and only seriously addressed it out of fear at the ballot box in November 2026. Frankly, I have no more faith in politicians who stand idly by while scammers con billions from hard-working taxpayers.

The Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes is collecting signatures to abolish taxes on real property and prohibit any future taxes on real property. They are collecting signatures until June 1, 2026. Petition locations across Ohio are available at https://axohtax.com/. Similar to the Ohio TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party efforts in 2010, the Committee to Abolish Ohio’s Property Taxes is on a mission. 

If the committee is successful, taxpayers can expect the most heavily funded political pushback in Ohio history between June and November. Should be a hoot.

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.