Stephanie Stock: Rethinking Property Taxes in Ohio

For Stephanie Stock, the conversation about property taxes is ultimately about fairness, stability, and the future of homeownership in Ohio.

Across the state, families are opening property tax bills that seem to rise year after year. Seniors on fixed incomes are feeling squeezed. Young families trying to purchase their first home are calculating not only mortgage payments, but escalating tax obligations that can shift unpredictably. For many Ohioans, property taxes are no longer a minor line item — they are a growing source of financial strain.

Stephanie believes it is time to have a serious, responsible conversation about abolishing property taxes in Ohio.

The Burden on Homeowners

Property taxes are unique in that they are tied to assessed value — not to income or ability to pay. As property values increase, tax bills increase, even if a homeowner’s financial situation does not.

For retirees who have paid off their homes, rising property taxes can feel like a permanent rent payment to the government. For working families, annual reassessments create uncertainty. For first-time buyers, high property taxes can put homeownership out of reach altogether.

Stephanie believes that homeownership should represent security and stability — not anxiety about whether you can afford to stay in your own home.

Recognizing the Reality of Local Funding

At the same time, Stephanie is clear-eyed about the role property taxes currently play.

Local property tax revenue funds essential services:

• Public schools

• Police departments

• Fire and EMS services

• Libraries

• County and municipal operations

Eliminating property taxes would mean eliminating a major revenue stream for local jurisdictions. Stephanie does not ignore that reality.

The question is not whether schools, fire departments, and law enforcement should be funded. They absolutely must be. The question is whether the current structure is the fairest and most sustainable way to fund them.

A Willingness to Lead the Conversation

Stephanie is not proposing a reckless overnight change. She is proposing leadership — and a willingness to bring stakeholders to the table.

She believes meaningful reform requires:

• Input from local officials

• Conversations with school administrators

• Engagement with public safety leaders

• Dialogue with taxpayers and community members

Ohio deserves a serious evaluation of alternative revenue models that protect essential services while reducing the burden on homeowners.

That process must be transparent, data-driven, and community-informed.

Exploring Responsible Alternatives

There are multiple ways states structure local funding. Some rely more heavily on consumption-based taxes. Others use broader state-level revenue sharing. Some allow communities greater flexibility to design funding models that reflect local priorities.

Stephanie believes Ohio should thoughtfully explore:

• Revenue structures that align more closely with ability to pay

• Funding mechanisms that preserve local control

• Transition plans that protect schools and public safety during reform

• Long-term sustainability rather than short-term patchwork fixes

She understands there are trade-offs. Any serious proposal must balance tax relief with fiscal responsibility.

Protecting the Vulnerable

One of Stephanie’s strongest motivations in addressing property taxes is the impact on vulnerable populations.

Seniors who built their lives in Ohio should not face financial instability because of rising assessments. Families working to build generational stability should not feel discouraged from purchasing a home. Homeownership has long been a pathway to wealth-building and community investment — and Stephanie believes policy should reinforce that, not undermine it.

A system that unintentionally pressures residents out of their homes deserves careful reconsideration.

A Principle of Accountability

Stephanie’s broader philosophy is that government must remain accountable to the people it serves. When taxes rise faster than incomes, when homeowners feel trapped by costs outside their control, leaders have a responsibility to respond.

Abolishing property taxes is a bold conversation. But bold conversations are sometimes necessary when long-standing systems no longer serve citizens equitably.

Stephanie is committed to approaching this issue with seriousness, humility, and collaboration — not slogans.

Moving Forward Together

As she campaigns for Ohio House District 31, Stephanie Stock supports pursuing the abolishment of property taxes in Ohio while ensuring essential services remain strong and sustainable.

She believes reform should:

• Protect homeowners

• Preserve public safety

• Strengthen schools

• Respect local input

• Maintain fiscal responsibility

Most importantly, she believes solutions should be developed in partnership with the communities they affect.

This is not about dismantling local government. It is about reimagining how Ohio funds it — in a way that balances fairness, stability, and long-term sustainability.

Stephanie is ready to lead that conversation.