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Ohio senator urges property tax freeze for homeowners 65 and older earning under $70,000
Summary
Sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 81 sought to freeze property tax bills for owner-occupants age 65+ with household income below $70,000, citing steep valuation increases in Cuyahoga County and East Cleveland. The measure had a first hearing; no committee vote was taken.
Senator Patton urged the Senate Ways and Means Committee to approve Senate Bill 81, which would freeze property tax bills for Ohio owner-occupants age 65 and older whose household income is under $70,000.
Patton told the committee the proposal would not increase exemptions but would "freeze property taxes while they're still living on their fixed incomes," arguing the change would protect seniors from rapid increases tied to rising valuations.
The sponsor said the current senior homestead exemption is $26,200 and that an existing income limit of $38,600 is "impractical for most of our constituents." He cited Cuyahoga County's 32% average property valuation increase in 2024, and said East Cleveland saw a 67% rise in median home values, producing an average tax increase of about 62% or roughly $546 annually in the areas he described.
Committee members asked clarifying questions. Senator Moore asked whether the $70,000 threshold is a household or individual limit; Patton said it is based on household income. Senator Moore also asked about whether a surviving spouse would retain the freeze if the qualifying spouse died; Patton said the bill does not address surviving-spouse continuations and that a separate bill addressing surviving spouses is expected.
The committee took no formal vote on SB 81; the item was heard as a first hearing. Senator Patton concluded by reiterating the bill's intent to hold property tax bills steady for qualifying seniors on fixed incomes.
Patton answered questions and then remained in committee as the hearing concluded. No committee motion or vote on SB 81 was recorded.
