Ohio Senate Overrides Gov. DeWine’s Veto, Blocks Certain School Property Tax Levies
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Senate has voted to override one of Gov. Mike DeWine’s budget vetoes, officially eliminating several school levy options in an effort to provide property tax relief for residents.
During the summer, Gov. DeWine signed Ohio’s two-year budget but vetoed 67 provisions, including restrictions on property tax levies. The Ohio House voted to override the measure earlier this year, and on Wednesday, the Senate followed suit with a 21-11 vote, ensuring the restrictions will take effect.
Under the new law, Ohio schools and political subdivisions will no longer be able to place certain levies on the ballot after January 1, 2026. Specifically, replacement levies, fixed-sum emergency levies, substitute emergency levies, and combined income tax and fixed-sum property tax levies will no longer be allowed. These types of levies typically fund essential day-to-day operations such as teacher salaries, school programs, and local services.
Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said the move addresses rising concerns about property taxes.
“Ohioans have made it clear property taxes are out of control. They are right. We acted to rein in a system that has been leveraged against taxpayers by allowing runaway increases without a vote of the people,” McColley said.
Supporters argue that removing these levy options will prevent confusing ballot language and stop automatic tax hikes, while critics, including school leaders and Democrats warn the change will severely impact funding for public schools, libraries, and fire departments.
“This decision guts the ability of communities to fund critical services while pretending to be about tax relief,” said Senate Democratic Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood). “It pushes responsibility for true property tax reform onto local taxpayers.”
The law will apply only to levies introduced after January 1, 2026. Levies already scheduled, including those on the ballot in November 2025, will remain valid.
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