Ohio Petition to Abolish Property Taxes Gains Approval to Begin Signature Drive

COLUMBUS, OH — A grassroots initiative to eliminate all property taxes in Ohio has received approval from the Ohio Ballot Board to begin gathering signatures in hopes of placing the constitutional amendment before voters in November. The proposal, spearheaded by Citizens for Property Tax Reform and the Committee to Eliminate Property Taxes in Ohio, would not only abolish existing taxes on real property but also prohibit any future property taxation.

Brian Massie, a member of the five-person grassroots committee behind the effort, said the goal is to give taxpayers relief from ever-increasing property taxes. "If we stayed on this path of ever-increasing property taxes, we're going to price seniors and those living on fixed incomes out of their home," he told 10TV.

The proposed amendment, officially titled "Abolishment of Taxes on Real Property," seeks to add Section 14 to Article XII of the Ohio Constitution. It received approval from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost earlier this month after his office determined the title and summary were “fair and truthful statements” of the proposed change.

Supporters must now gather at least 443,000 valid signatures from registered voters across at least 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 2 to qualify the measure for the November ballot. John Marra, mayor of Timberlake and a leading voice in the campaign, acknowledged the uphill battle ahead, given the grassroots nature of the effort. “We don't have resources for it, and we don't have time to set anything up either. This is going to have to be all grassroots,” he said during a press conference after the Ballot Board’s approval.

The amendment’s backers argue that alternative funding methods—such as fees based on household size or income and sales taxes—could replace property tax revenue. “We're not opposed to paying for services,” Massie emphasized. “The state has all sorts of opportunities, whether it's a sales tax or income tax.”

Yet, the measure has drawn swift opposition from education and government leaders who warn of its sweeping consequences. Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro said the plan “would completely pull the rug out of the public schools and other public services all across the state.” Governor Mike DeWine, while sympathetic to concerns over rising taxes, expressed skepticism. “I don't know how you abolish property taxes completely without raising other taxes,” he said.

The critics’ central concern is the lack of a clear alternative funding mechanism. Public services such as education, police and fire protection, libraries, infrastructure, and emergency services are all heavily reliant on property tax revenue. “To eliminate property taxes without another structure in place is a direct threat to essential local services,” said Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio.

Lawmakers from both parties agree that property taxes are an issue that needs reform. Senate President Rob McColley noted, “It's a kitchen table issue. And it's incumbent upon us to address the issue.” Still, many see the current proposal as extreme. The amendment does not contain any replacement funding strategy, and local leaders fear that a rush to eliminate property taxes without one could upend Ohio’s already strained municipal budgets.

The initiative has sparked passionate debate among residents. While some see the measure as a way to keep homeownership affordable amid rising living costs, others view it as a reckless gamble with critical public services. “Yes, there should be cuts, but that money will have to come from other sources,” wrote one commenter on WSYX’s coverage. “Getting rid of property taxes will only result in a different method of raising those funds,” said another.

Despite these concerns, Marra remains confident. “I’m a man of faith, and I believe with God, all things are possible,” he said, underscoring the campaign’s commitment to collecting enough signatures in time.

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