COLUMBUS—Earlier today, in a 61–28 vote, the Ohio House of Representatives voted to override the Governor’s veto of Item 66, a measure that would reduce property tax pressure on Ohio homeowners and employers by eliminating certain types of local tax levies.

Item 66 would:

  • Eliminate replacement levies, which allow local governments to renew or increase property taxes with limited voter clarity.
  • Prohibit fixed-sum emergency levies, which require property owners to fund a specific dollar amount regardless of home value.
  • End substitute emergency levies, which automatically grow as new buildings are added to the tax rolls.
  • Stop the use of combined income and property tax levies by school districts.

 

Partnership Executive Director Monty Lobb released the following statement:

“This override helps elderly homeowners and first-time buyers stay in their homes by limiting the use of taxing tools that quietly increase costs over time. It also brings greater transparency to the levy process, giving voters a clearer understanding of the long-term impact of their decisions. That’s good for families, and it’s good for Ohio’s business community.”

Why This Matters

  • Homeowners gain relief—especially those living on fixed incomes or entering the housing market for the first time.
  • Businesses benefit from greater predictability and fewer unexpected tax increases.
  • Communities grow stronger as families retain more income for local spending, savings, and investment.

What’s Next?

The measure now heads to the Ohio Senate for a vote, although the Senate has not yet announced any plans to reconvene for a vote on the veto override. The Senate must have 20 of 33 members concur to complete the override and enforce this policy.

This is only the first in an expected series of property tax reforms. The Ohio House may consider additional veto overrides for Item 55 and Item 65.

  • Item 55 would revise the authority of county budget commissions to adjust levies under certain conditions and shift some tax rate calculations to the Ohio Department of Taxation.
  • Item 65 would change how the 20-mill floor for school funding is calculated by including a broader range of levy types, such as emergency, substitute, and combined levies.