Ohio
Ohio families feel financial pressure as tax debate grows
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Families across Ohio say rising property taxes, inflation, and the increasing cost of living are putting more strain on their budgets. Households continue to question how much taxpayers can afford.
The issue is becoming a growing political debate statewide, as discussions continue over possible tax reforms and how Ohio communities fund schools, police, fire departments, and other public services.
Ohio homeowners say property taxes have climbed significantly over the past several years. A recent poll conducted by ABC 6 shows the majority of our viewers’ property taxes have increase $500-$1,500 annually.
When we asked whether their incomes had kept pace with those higher costs, the majority answered their income has increased, but it is not enough to keep up with every day costs.
That frustration is fueling broader conversations about affordability and whether Ohio’s current tax system is sustainable for working families and retirees.
Several Central Ohio school districts say failed levies could lead to reductions in programs and services. After voters rejected a recent tax issue in Pickerington, Superintendent Charles Smialek warned the district may eventually need to cut transportation, extracurricular activities, administrative rolls, and classroom resources.
“If we fail in November, it starts to cut into our classroom,” Smialek said in an interview with ABC 6 earlier this month.
Many districts throughout Ohio rely heavily on local property tax revenue to operate. Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is pushing a plan to reduce property taxes and eventually phase out Ohio’s state income tax over a 10-year plan.
But economists say lowering or eliminating those taxes would likely require the state to either raise other taxes or reduce spending.
Jared Pincin, Associate Professor of Economics at Cedarville University, said states without income taxes often depend more heavily on sales taxes and fees.
“Voters should be asking politicians what the specifics are with their plans,” Pincin said. “That’s the information politicians should be pressed on.”
He added that while tax changes can happen gradually, there is still a trade-off if the state wants to maintain current levels of funding for public services.
“If you’re going to eliminate the income tax and you want to keep the revenue the same, you’ll have to increase taxes or cut spending to offset that,” Pincin said. “Assessed property values have increased and even if the rate doesn’t change, that has allowed the tax bill itself to rise.”
Pincin recommended taking advantage of retirement accounts and relocating to a more affordable town to ease taxes. “Are you maxing out or are you putting away savings in accounts that are pre-taxed?” he added.
Governor DeWine warned sales tax rates could skyrocket to 20% if property and income taxes were abolished.
DeWine added that Ohio lawmakers may also have to consider hiking other taxes, such as the state’s income taxes, to plug the roughly $24 billion budget hole that would result with the elimination of property taxes.
A grassroots group called Citizens for Property Tax Reform is backing a constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes completely.
But another coalition, Ohioans to Protect Public Services, warns eliminating property taxes without a replacement funding plan could severely impact schools, police and fire departments, libraries, senior centers, and disability services.
Ohioans to Protect Public Services says property taxes make up nearly two-thirds of all local funding in Ohio. The group says “eliminating them altogether with no plan for what comes next is just reckless.”
Ohio’s Office of Budget and Management warned removing local property taxes without replacing the lost revenue could effectively “defund” many local government services statewide.
“A constitutional amendment to abolish local property taxes, with no plan to replace the lost revenues, would quite literally “defund” the police, fire departments, schools, libraries, senior centers, and other local government services in our communities statewide,” the statement said.
As the debate continues, many Ohio families say they are looking for relief and want to keep tax rates down.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — First News is working to learn more information after officers served a search warrant Friday afternoon for a building at the corner of Market Street and Pasadena Avenue
When we showed up to the scene, we found Animal Charity of Ohio had humane agents there.
We could also hear what sounded like roosters crowing, and eventually we saw humane agents bringing out several chickens and roosters in cages from the property. Authorities said they removed approximately 30 pairs of roosters and hens.
That brought us to a residence on Glenwood Avenue near the corner of Stadium Street.
So far, we aren’t hearing anything, but a number of officers and humane agents seemed to be knocking on the front door, and seemingly no one answered.
They then all moved behind the house, and one was an officer carrying a sledgehammer and a crowbar. So far we haven’t heard or seen any action.
First News will update this story as we learn more.
Nick Rich contributed to this report.
ROSSFORD, Ohio — Smoke from Canadian wildfires forced the cancellation of three community events Thursday, including a multi-day festival, a weekly farmers market and a summer concert series finale.
Organizers of the Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest, the Perrysburg Farmers Market and the Whitehouse Summer Concert Series each cited hazardous air quality conditions as the reason for their decisions.
Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest canceled
Rossford city officials and the Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau Board jointly decided Thursday to cancel the Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest, which was scheduled to run July 17-19.
The Visitors Bureau’s director Beth Genson said in a statement: “The decision to cancel the 2026 Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest was made jointly by City officials and the Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau Board after careful consideration of the hazardous air quality conditions caused by smoke from the Canadian wildfires. The health and safety of our attendees, volunteers, vendors, performers and staff was our highest priority. We recognize how disappointing this is for our community and visitors, but we believe cancelling the event was the responsible decision under these circumstances.”
Perrysburg farmers market, Whitehouse concert also called off
The Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce canceled Thursday’s farmers market in historic downtown Perrysburg. The chamber’s director of tourism Sally Moore said: “The health and safety of our vendors, customers, volunteers, and staff is our top priority. Based on the current hazardous air quality conditions and the guidance we received, we believe cancellation is the safest course of action.”
In Whitehouse, the final performance of the summer concert series at Whitehouse Village Park was also canceled Thursday out of concern for the safety of concertgoers. A spokesman for the series said organizers are hoping to reschedule the final performance in August or September.
Health experts advise staying indoors
Dr. David Geisinger, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, said residents should limit time outdoors while smoke remains in the area.
“We all need to be extra careful, but the children especially, younger kids, anybody with asthma, chronic lung disease, COPD, bronchitis, they would need to be especially careful,” Geisinger said.
Geisinger added that with current air quality index levels, indoor activities are the safer option.
“With this level of air quality index and the smoke, it’s better to do activities that are inside,” he said.
Smoke from the Canadian wildfires was expected to continue affecting air quality into Friday.
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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Warren man indicted in June on charges he had inappropriate conduct with a teenager pleaded guilty Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Daniel Procopio, 29, pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony count of attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance.
Howland police arrested Procopio following a report filed by the parent of a teenager who reported Procopio had inappropriate contact with the teen. The investigation by Howland police showed Procopio in February 2026 had asked a 16-year-old female to send nude photos of herself to him, according to Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman.
The crimes are alleged to have taken place in February and March.
Procopio will be sentenced at a later date.
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