Summit County officials address skyrocketing property taxes

COLUMBUS — State lawmakers and local officials in Summit County are calling for action to address rising property taxes across Ohio.

At a press conference on Wednesday, State Reps. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) and Veronica Sims (D-Akron), alongside Cuyahoga Falls City Schools Board of Education member AJ Harris and Summit County Councilwoman Liz Walters, discussed the need for state-level intervention to provide relief for Ohio homeowners.

“The higher property valuations and taxes Ohioans are facing are not the fault of any county auditor, county commissioner, or any county executive,” Rep. Weinstein said.

“It’s due to more than two decades of Republican policies passed at the Statehouse that are forcing Ohio’s working families with the lowest incomes to pay more while the wealthiest Ohioans are receiving handouts, and the state is being drained of the resources it needs to ensure the prosperity of its residents,” said Rep. Weinstein .

Rep. Sims echoed the call for bipartisan efforts to reduce the burden on residents. “High property taxes are a choice. We are working across the aisle to address solutions that matter.”

The officials emphasized the growing strain on communities due to state policies that, they say, prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy while leaving local governments underfunded.

They outlined their support for various bills introduced by House Democrats, which aim to expand property tax exemptions, freeze property taxes for seniors, and provide rebates for middle-class homeowners.

The proposed legislation includes:

HB 60: Expands the homestead exemption to cover more seniors, offering nearly $250 million in targeted relief.

HB 263: Freezes property taxes for seniors earning $50,000 or less.

HB 274: Increases the property tax exemption for longtime homeowners.

HB 645: Provides a $1,000 property tax rebate for homeowners and renters whose tax payments exceed 5% of their income.

The lawmakers stressed the urgency of passing these measures to ease the financial burden on Ohio residents.

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