Our current tax structure is designed to give breaks to the wealthy and burden the working classes, instead of raising the funds needed to support shared infrastructure we depend on. Over time, our legislature has rolled-back taxes on the wealthiest among us and shifted the loss to low-income persons. This is unacceptable. I believe in a tax system based on burden and your ability to pay.

For years the state has diminished its investment in local communities, requiring local income tax increases and stronger reliance on levies to make up the difference and maintain vital services. That’s $13 billion to $17 billion in annual revenue loss. How did we get here? Policies like the “LLC Loophole” and the elimination of the Corporate Franchise Tax and the estate tax, just to name a few. The state must collect dollars in a fair way and distribute dollars fairly to raise our collective quality of life.

Income Taxes

I support a progressive income tax code. This ensures that the burden is proportionately shared amongst Ohioans, rather than a heavier burden being placed on middle and low income Ohioans. Trickle-down economics doesn’t work. Decades of research prove this. We can properly fund the services that sustain healthier communities and a better society by taxing higher income earners more. They can afford it while maintaining wealth. Working families cannot

Property Taxes

Seniors who have paid off their mortgages shouldn’t be forced to decide between supporting the local libraries and schools they love and staying in their homes. Ohio collects about $20 billion each year in property taxes. These dollars help fund our schools, police, fire departments, and other essential local services. As a State Representative, I will support equitable distribution of state revenues and fully funding our schools and other services that invest in our communities, as well as an overall system that is, again, based on burden and affordability.