State Representative Jason C. Stephens (R-93rd District), who served as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives during the 135th General Assembly (2023-2024), is urging his Republican colleagues to use a projected $1.2 billion state surplus at the end of fiscal year 2026 to provide direct property tax relief to homeowners. In a memo dated May 22, 2026, and shared publicly on X, Stephens highlighted the need to act before the House adjourns for summer recess.
Stephens, who represents Gallia, Jackson, and Lawrence counties in southern Ohio and recently secured re-election in the Republican primary with over 62 percent of the vote, stated that the surplus funds should support targeted tax relief measures. These measures, he noted, would not reduce revenue available to schools or local governments because the state would cover the cost of the credits or exemptions.
The memo references two key pieces of legislation focused on property taxes. House Bill 673, introduced by Stephens, would expand the statewide owner-occupied residence property tax credit to apply to all levies, including those passed since November 2013. According to the Legislative Service Commission analysis cited in the memo, this change carries a projected cost of $155 million in tax year 2026 and fiscal year 2027. It would allow the existing owner-occupancy credit to provide full relief for every owner-occupied home.
House Bill 143, introduced by Representatives Adam Mathews and Sean P. Brennan, would create an enhanced homestead exemption for long-term homeowners. It doubles the homestead exemption for owner-occupants who have lived in their homes for at least 20 consecutive years and meet other eligibility criteria, such as being seniors or permanently and totally disabled. The Legislative Service Commission projects average annual savings of $495 per qualifying homeowner at a total state cost of approximately $180 million, potentially benefiting around 360,000 vulnerable senior homeowners.
Stephens also listed additional bills in the memo aimed at improving health care access, expanding freedoms, enhancing safety for seniors, increasing accountability for Medicaid providers and elections, and addressing data center tax policies. He described these as conservative measures to make Ohio more affordable, healthy, free, safe, and accountable to taxpayers.
The $1.2 billion surplus figure aligns with preliminary reports from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) and subsequent news coverage indicating stronger-than-expected tax collections through early to mid-2026. Multiple monthly financial updates have shown revenues exceeding estimates across major sources such as sales and income taxes.
Local impact in southern Ohio and Ross County
Property taxes remain a significant concern for residents across southern Ohio, including Ross County and neighboring areas. Recent revaluations have led to notable increases in assessed values, prompting local officials in Ross County to reduce inside millage rates multiple times to help offset the burden on homeowners. County leaders have emphasized responsible budgeting and called for broader state-level reforms to prevent sharp tax hikes. Stephens’ proposal for statewide relief could provide additional support to families and seniors in rural counties like Ross, where rising valuations have strained household budgets without corresponding increases in local services.
Stephens’ memo frames these efforts as a timely opportunity to return surplus dollars directly to taxpayers ahead of the 2027 property tax billing cycle. Whether the House acts on these bills before summer recess will depend on support from his colleagues.
The full memo and images shared in Stephens’ X post consist of his own authored document detailing the bills and fiscal notes. They originate directly from his office communications and were posted publicly here for review:
The Legislative Service Commission projections cited within the memo are available through official bill tracking on the Ohio Legislature website for HB 673 and HB 143.
