COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The cost of renting, or buying, a place to live is only getting more expensive thanks to rising property taxes, but Ohio lawmakers are likely not going to get anything done before the end of the year.
If nothing gets through by then, that means legislation will have to start from scratch in the new year.
“Not providing direct relief on this property tax issue, it is a choice that is being made by the majority. Am I surprised? No. Am I disappointed? Yes,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said. “There are definitely options before us that are feasible, that have support.”
Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) is poised to become Ohio House speaker in January, but before that, lawmakers have one week left in session before the new year. Huffman said passing property tax legislation is unlikely during his last few weeks as Senate president, despite the House passing a homestead exemption last week.
“Extraordinarily complex things that haven't had much discussion, that have huge ramifications monetarily and into the future,” Huffman said. “We're not going to be able to do that in seven or eight days. “I'd like to take the findings of the Property Tax Committee and use those to draft legislation for the first six months of next year.”
The property tax study committee was supposed to release its report months ago. It will now likely come before the end of the year, at least. In the meantime, Huffman said there needs to be a deeper understanding of the issue before something can pass.
“[Property tax is] this giant robot that we started building 100 years ago, and every time when we're supposed to actually make sure that it's working right, we put some gizmo on it that solves the problem for the moment,” Huffman said. “Really, this whole system needs to be taken apart and take out the parts that don't work.”
There are nearly two dozen bills, and many of them with bi-partisan support, to provide relief to homeowners.
“Introducing a bill and saying we've got a problem, isn't suggesting a viable solution,” Huffman (R-Lima) said.
“Do I think that there needs to be a larger discussion about what are the long-term solutions to this that will require some more time? Yes. But there are options to provide immediate relief,” Russo said. “We don't have to wait six months from now in the budget when, by the way, we're probably going to have less revenue or other tax cuts that are being considered that are going to reduce the amount coming in to provide relief to residents.”
Huffman said he wants to ensure more “predictability” in the tax system.
“If I know my property tax might go up 5% every three years or six years, I can handle it, but if all of a sudden, it's three times as high -- instead of $5,000, you're paying $15,000 -- well, most people can't take care of that,” he said. “So, the predictability of the system, of the taxing system is important. You know, that if you make more money, you pay more income tax. If you buy more things, you pay more sales tax. There's no predictability in our, in our real estate tax system."
And even though Huffman is eyeing next year, and other lawmakers are looking at the budget, Russo said she is not holding her breath.
“Do I think that it's likely going to pass then as well? Probably not,” Russo said. “I think there are always going to be excuses not to deal with this issue, and that is a choice that has real implications for everyday Ohioans who are seeing their housing costs, the rental cost, housing costs go up because of this issue.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he thinks the legislature needs to act on this. Read more about his thoughts on property and state income taxes by clicking here.
