COLUMBUS, Ohio — As communities across Ohio try to make more affordable housing available, there’s another problem impacting people who already own their own home. Home values have increased significantly over the past several months, which has caused a ripple-effect on property taxes to rise across the Buckeye State.
On Wednesday afternoon, Democratic state lawmakers called a press conference addressing Ohio’s need for the state legislature to help residents feeling the burden of expensive property taxation.
“If property taxes were part of the state budget not local budgets, the General Assembly would be falling over themselves to find a cost saving fix,” said Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano.
“I’m calling it a barrier because we are facing a barrier,” said Pamela Shields, who is a Columbus resident. “And that becomes a real threat.”
Shields is a retired 70-year-old living in Franklin County. She says it’s been hard to pay skyrocketing property taxes, and although there is some assistance available, it is not enough to help her live comfortably. She says like many other elderly people, she finds herself struggling.
“Do I buy food? Do I put gas in my vehicle? You know what else? Incidentals, repairs around my home,” Shields exclaimed. “All those things become very relevant when you are threatened and paralyzed with situations related to your property that I own and now may be losing. We need to really be sensitive to the needs of older adults and senior citizens and elder citizens. And I’m one of those. And I don’t want to be ten years from now, turning 80 and living in some subsidized housing unit.”
Inflation impacting property taxation is not a new problem across the buckeye state. Statehouse lawmakers are trying to find solutions from both sides of the aisle that can target ways to provide rapid relief. State Democrats say a solution needs to be put forth as soon as possible because it impacts everyday Ohioans daily lifestyle.
“Rising home values have resulted in increased property taxes across the state with Franklin County alone seen an average value increase of 41%,” said State Sen. Hearcel Craig, D-Columbus.
Craig is among several lawmakers who came together at the statehouse Wednesday trying to push republicans to prioritize legislation that’s already been introduced and needs further discussion.
“It’s a simple choice that the Republican-controlled House has to make,” said State Rep. Allison Russo, D-House Minority Leader. “And, the Senate needs it to make it because it is a choice not to act and not to provide direct relief and to simply kick the can down the road once again on property taxes and continue the horrible tax shifting policies that we passed here that got us here in the first place.”
Speaker of the Ohio House Jason Stephens described the issue as complex.
” It’s not something that can be solved overnight. However, we have made progress by passing meaningful legislation, including inflation adjustments included in the homestead exemption that are helping over 800,000 seniors, veterans, and disabled Ohioans stay in their homes. While there’s more work to do, it’s important that each step we take actually benefits everyday Ohioans," said State Rep. Jason Stephens, R-Speaker of the House.
Meanwhile, legislation has been approved by both chambers to expand the homestead exemption to qualifying elderly individuals and people living with disabilities. But, it still needs to move to the Ohio House for concurrence. House Bill 187 is being discussed thoroughly, and Russo stated approximately 18 bills have been introduced regarding property taxation.
However, Shields says any extra relief will help make life less stressful, and help the population many people overlook.
“They need to factor in what it means to be compassionate,” Shields said.