Ohio Attorney General Approves Petition To Abolish Property Tax
In a move that could dramatically reshape Ohio’s tax landscape, Attorney General Dave Yost has given the green light to a petition that seeks to abolish property taxes across the state. The proposal, titled “Abolishment of Taxes on Real Property,” aims to amend the Ohio Constitution by introducing a new section that would eliminate property taxes entirely.
The petition was submitted by the grassroots group Ohio Citizens for Property Tax Reform, whose mission centers on reducing what they describe as an unsustainable burden on homeowners. According to the organization, property taxes are placing an increasing strain on Ohio residents, particularly seniors and those living on fixed incomes.
Attorney General Yost’s office reviewed the language of the proposed amendment and determined that it is a “fair and truthful” summary—one of the first key steps in the process of placing a constitutional amendment before voters.
With Yost’s approval, the next stage is in the hands of the Ohio Ballot Board, which will evaluate whether the proposal adheres to the legal requirement of addressing a single issue. If it passes that hurdle, the group will be authorized to begin gathering the necessary signatures from registered voters. To qualify for a future election ballot, they must collect hundreds of thousands of valid signatures from across the state.
Supporters of the amendment argue that Ohio’s current property tax system is outdated and oppressive, and that eliminating it would provide much-needed financial relief to homeowners. Critics, however, have raised concerns about how the state and local governments would replace the revenue that property taxes currently generate, especially for public schools and municipal services.
As the petition process moves forward, Ohioans can expect a spirited public debate about the future of property taxation in the state and the broader implications of such a bold constitutional change.
Stay tuned for updates as the initiative progresses through the legal and electoral pipeline.