One of the many problems with Ohio’s gerrymandered districts is that our Republican politicians have grown accustomed to getting their way.
Rigged districts have handed Republicans a supermajority in the Ohio House and Senate. They aren’t worried about losing their seats, so they don’t have to worry nearly as much about what Ohioans want.
Maybe that’s why some Statehouse Republicans are acting so outraged that Ohio’s Republican governor actually used his Constitutional right to remove some items from the state budget bill.
Specifically, DeWine responded to public outcry (from folks like you!) and vetoed several property tax provisions that would be terrible for Ohio.
The governor vetoed these property tax items because they would:
- Take even more funding away from your local public schools
- Let your county decrease the amount of a levy you voted for!
- Cause serious delays for Ohioans like you when you’re trying to file your taxes
- Ban several types of levies, removing even more funding options for your local public schools and your community
- Split some levies into two separate votes, leading to more failed levies and the loss of more programs and services our families need
Sadly, the public complaints from a few Statehouse Republicans appear to have had an impact. We learned this week thatthe Ohio House will pause their Summer break to try and overturn the governor’s property tax vetoes.
The Ohio House will hold a one-day Summer Session on Monday, July 21st. The Ohio Senate has not yet scheduled a Summer Session, but we know some senators are trying to organize it.
This legislative temper tantrum is especially shameful because of how quickly it has been orchestrated. Clearly, Statehouse Republicans took no time whatsoever to ask themselves why their own party’s governor rejected their property tax proposals.
They took no time to look back at all the testimony from local leaders who warned them about the negative impacts these provisions would have on their constituents.
To be clear, Governor DeWine vetoed the property tax items because they would heavily damage local schools, first responders, and communities.
The governor has also formed a team to tackle Ohioans’ very real property tax concerns. It will be run by prominent, aggressive Republican politicians such as Bill Seitz and Pat Tiberi.
The governor is publicly trying to remind his fellow Republican politicians that there’s obviously a reason he vetoed their property tax proposals.
We can remind them as well.
Ohio wants real property tax reforms that will help our communities instead of hurting them, like this circuit breaker proposed by Policy Matters Ohio.
Ohio wants property tax reforms that have been well-researched and vetted, like these proposals from last year’s Statehouse property tax committee.
Ohio does NOT want fake solutions that directly harm our schools, communities, and first responders!
Tell your state legislators to say NO to budget veto overrides:
Draft Script:
- Hello. My name is [NAME], and I am a voter in your district. My zip code is [ZIP CODE].
- Ohio does NOT want you to override the governor’s property tax vetoes.
- The governor vetoed those lines for a reason. He knows they would hurt our schools and our first responders.
- I want property tax reform too. We all do. But I want real reform — not something politicians invented last month so they would look proactive.
- Wasn’t there a bipartisan Property Tax Review and Reform committee last year that held a ton of hearings and came out with a whole report full of ideas? Why can’t we use those?
- Does [LEGISLATOR] plan to say NO to these property tax veto overrides?
- This is a critical issue. I will be calling back to check in. I will also be urging others to call and request a NO vote on veto overrides. Thank you.
We are so grateful for each and every one of you. We will keep fighting together.
Fight Everywhere, for Everyone
Blue Ohio Team
P.S. It’s clear that we will never be able to build the state we all deserve until we elect leaders who share our values.
That’s why Blue Ohio crowdfunds for underfunded Democratic Statehouse nominees throughout the state.
We need to support the folks who are willing to speak truth to power, spread a Democratic message, and organize in some of the reddest places of Ohio. If we want to run everywhere, we have to support everywhere.
That’s what we do at Blue Ohio. We crowdfund for underfunded races, directly funding nominees and giving them resources to run grassroots campaigns that give their neighbors a choice… and Democrats a chance.
If you aren’t already a member, join Blue Ohio today. Help us support more Democratic nominees. Help them speak truth to power.
Help make a Blue Ohio.
Fight Everywhere, for Everyone
Blue Ohio Team
