By Andi Anderson
Ohio Republican lawmakers have scheduled a special session for Monday, July 21, 2025, to consider overriding three property tax-related vetoes from Governor Mike DeWine in the newly signed state budget, House Bill 96.
Governor DeWine had issued 67 line-item vetoes, and this override session will focus on provisions tied to property tax levies. Specifically, lawmakers aim to reinstate items that would:
- Allow county budget commissions to reduce voter-approved levies
- Require emergency and other levies in calculating the 20-mill floor
- Limit school districts’ ability to request emergency levies
However, the override will not include DeWine’s veto of a proposal that capped collected property taxes at 40% of district operating budgets. The Governor argued this would severely hurt public schools and local government funding, possibly triggering more local levies.
House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) criticized the override effort, stating it fails to offer real property tax relief. “Instead of using state resources to put money back in the pockets of taxpayers, Republicans chose to give hundreds of millions in handouts to billionaires,” Isaacsohn said.
Democrats in both the House and Senate had voted against the final state budget, making their support for the override unlikely. The session is unusual not only for being held during the summer recess but also on a Monday, with the House meeting in the Senate chamber due to maintenance.
If successful, this override would join a short list. The legislature has overridden only two of DeWine’s vetoes so far — including a January 2024 override related to gender-affirming care and sports participation for transgender youth.
This session highlights the ongoing debate over tax policy, school funding, and state priorities.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Ohio, Government & Policy