Getting It Right! For Ohio's Future

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will Getting It Right! For Ohio’s Future mean higher taxes?

A: Not necessarily. It will mean better-funded, more competitive schools. It will be up to our elected representatives in the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate to find new revenue if the assessment is made that we are short-changing our schools. Over time, this amendment will more fairly shift the burden of paying for our schools onto the state and away from local property owners.

It is important to keep in mind that when the amendment’s single largest cost item – the shift of some property tax requirements to the state – is fully implemented in 2017, Ohio’s revised tax code will also be fully phased in, resulting in increased state revenue from the following means:

Sales tax revenues, at existing rates, are projected to rise by $350-$500 million per year
Income tax revenues are projected to rise by $450-$600 million per year (more if the current income tax is curtailed after three years instead of the planned five year phase-in)
The new commercial activities tax (CAT) is projected to generate approximately $500 million more per year than the corporate franchise tax it replaced

Q: What’s in it for my district?

A: A reduced reliance on property taxes to fund our schools. Fewer local school levies. More competitive schools. And ultimately, a more highly-skilled workforce to make the Ohio economy more attractive in the global economy.

Specifically, while each school district will be required to keep a 20 mill levy on the ballot, local school districts will no longer have to go to the voters repeatedly for additional tax dollars. Instead, the State Board of Education along with an independent commission, will be charged with assessing the true needs of Ohio’s schools to ensure each child receives a high-quality education.

The amendment exempt the required millage from the constitution's rate reduction factor, allowing 20 mills to rise as property values rise. This helps to alleviate the need for repeated school levies and will only apply to those districts whose property values increase.

Q: Don't Ohio students already have a "fundamental right" to a high quality education?

A: No. Currently, Ohio has a system that allows some students to take advantage of a high quality education while others languish.

Including "fundamental right" in the amendment language would raise the bar legally and compel legislators to recognize the importance education holds as part of the foundation of our society. Attempting to seek a remedy through the courts under current law is not a viable solution. The Supreme Court ruled our school funding system unconstitutional four times, but was unable to enforce its own rulings. The Education Amendment provides an enforceable alternative.

Fifteen other states already have "fundamental right" as their standard for education. To ensure Ohio’s future economic success, it’s important that we join them – now more than ever.

Q: When should petitions be sent back to the campaign?

A: Petitions should be returned to the campaign on a regular basis as they are completed or every two weeks. It is very important that the campaign have ample time to verify that all the signatures submitted are from current, registered Ohio voters. That means we must receive petitions daily throughout the petition drive.

If volunteers in your district are gathering petitions, you should collect them every two weeks, even if the petitions are not completely filled in. The campaign will supply you with more blank petitions so volunteers can continue their efforts to gather signatures.

Petitions should be mailed to:

Getting It Right! For Ohio's Future

8050 N. High Street, Suite 100

Columbus, Ohio 43235-6481