Commentary for 2026
LETTER TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
March 5, 2026
By Contributing Writer on
By Brian Massie, A Watchman on the Wall
We thank Mr. George Valente for sending us his letter to the League of Women Voters about their panel discussion on “Understanding Property Taxes”. We attended the meeting at the Bainbridge library, where the League of Women Voters held their “informational session”. Here is video of Geauga County Charles Walder educating the citizens about property taxes.
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Dear League of Women Voters February 26, 2026
Last night I attended the “Understanding Property Taxes” informational session
hosted by the League of Women Voters Geauga, Ohio (LWV) at the Bainbridge
library branch. While the session provided a detailed overview of current
property tax complexities, I was concerned by the shift from factual explanation
to what felt like scare tactics regarding the potential abolition of Ohio
property taxes.
The meeting was controlled and organized presumably so the meeting on this
sensitive topic does not get out of control with angry property owners that are
dealing with unsustainable PT’s. I was concerned when I saw a police car out in
front of the library. My observation was there were probably 150, mostly
seniors, in attendance. The county auditor started the session by explaining the
complex topic defining millage, outside mills, inside mills, levies, appraised
values, assessed values, homestead credits and the mind-numbing calculations as
well as how the Columbus operates, and what property taxes fund and even a tax
that voters don’t vote on. Honestly people I spoke to after the meeting walked
away not understanding property taxes but rather saying this is too complex,
archaic and needs change.
Specifically, the panel focused on the loss of essential services without
addressing the core issue: the need for spending cuts and a more sustainable
funding model. Furthermore, by not allowing AXOHTAX leadership to speak, the LWV
missed an opportunity to fully educate the public on the proposed constitutional
amendment. The meeting did not present all aspects of the initiative that is
core to LWV Mission statement. I expect better from the LWV.
The LWV’s Mission is to empower and inform voters. AXOHTAX shares this goal. We
believe voters deserve to understand how and why this amendment was developed,
especially as hundreds of thousands of Ohioans have signed the petition to place
it on the Statewide Ohio ballot but yet resorted to fear tactics rather than the
core issue which involves $22 billion dollars.
Quoting from LWV own mission statement “Collaborates with a number of citizen
groups to influence elected officials”. In this case to influence Columbus
legislature to make significant changes in how services are funded after
property taxes are abolished. There was zero collaboration with AxOhTax. The
registered voters are making themselves heard by the hundreds of thousands that
have signed the petition to place the ballot language, approved by the Ohio
Attorney General David Yost, on the ballot so that voters may decide.
It is clear that the current property tax structure is archaic and
unsustainable, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes. While we agree that
essential services must be funded, we believe this should not be tied to real
property. The responsibility lies with the legislature in Columbus to develop
equitable funding alternatives and eliminate wasteful spending.
The voters see the excessive and unnecessary spending of their property tax
dollars, and are fed up. If anything else the voters are angry and are signing
the petition by the 100’s of thousands to place the amendment on the ballot.
From all accounts it is going on the ballot and will pass. The peoples’ voices
will be heard at the ballot box by the overwhelming response AxOhTax has
received to date.
AxOhTax wants an end to property tax foreclosures, especially of our senior
citizens. Enable consistent funding of essential services. Demand the State
re-engineer how property taxes are funded. Give the townships, towns and cities
the tools to provide balanced and equitable funding for schools. Ohioans want
children educated but funding schools through property taxes is not sustainable
for an aging senior voting citizenship on a fixed income. And the States
founding of schools was found to be illegal by the Ohio Supreme Court.
I am writing to propose that the LWV and AXOHTAX leadership join forces. As
nonpartisan organizations dedicated to voter education, we should work together
to provide a complete picture of these issues and collectively pressure elected
officials to transform Ohio’s property tax code.
By bringing both sides together, we can better serve the citizens of Ohio and
ensure a fair, transparent, and sustainable future for our communities.
Respectfully,
George Valente