Share this article!

A grassroots initiative by Ohio homeowners is working to add a constitutional amendment to the November ballot that would abolish property taxes.

News 5 Cleveland reports the Citizens for Property Tax Reform movement was formed by voters who were unhappy with what they perceived as the legislature’s inability to pursue property tax reform.

“Legislators, in many ways, are reluctant to dive in,” said Beth Blackmarr, one of the initiative’s leaders.

Gov. Mike DeWine opposes this proposal, questioning how local government will be able to fund schools and public services if property taxes disappear.

“I understand [their concerns], but they have an obligation — I think a moral obligation — to come forward and explain how they’re going to pay for schools, how they’re going to pay for the things that we value in Ohio,” said DeWine.

But Blackmarr insisted the governor is missing the point.

“There are other ways that this can be approached,” said Blackmarr, citing the possibility of having “SDIT, a school district income tax, to help balance out the property taxes in their district.”

The state ballot board will decide if Citizens for Property Tax Reform can begin to collect signatures for the November ballot. Blackmarr added that she hoped this initiative will spark movement in the legislature to address property taxes.

“Hopefully, what legislators will do is counter with some legislation of their own,” she said.