AMANDA FONTANA’S PLAN:

Tax Relief & Strong Public Schools 

Ohio families shouldn't be taxed out of their homes, and our children shouldn't be shortchanged in their classrooms. We do not have to choose between lower taxes and great public schools. 

As your Representative, I will introduce two specific bills to lower your property taxes, fully fund our public schools, and protect our first responders, without raising a single cent in new taxes. 

Lowering the Cost of Childcare

Real affordability means tackling the skyrocketing costs crushing our families. Current legislation in Columbus (House Bill 2) shifts a massive 40% cost burden onto working families and an identical 40% mandate onto local businesses, while capping state support at a mere 20%.


As your State Representative, my priority is to rebalance this math. I am championing a framework that seeks to utilize existing state budget surpluses and federal grants to cap out-of-pocket costs for parents and protect our local small businesses.

See the table below:

BILL 1:

The Property Tax Stabilization Act 

  • The 5% "Circuit Breaker" Cap: No primary homeowner will pay more than 5% of their household income toward property taxes. If inflation drives your bill over that cap, the state sends you a rebate check for the difference. 

  • Doubling the Senior Exemption: We will double the property tax Homestead Exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for seniors, disabled, veterans, and qualifying Ohioans. 

  • The Working-Family Credit: A brand new $15,000 property tax exemption for primary homeowners making under $100,000. 

  • The CAUV Farmer Protection: No operating family farm will pay more than 10% of its net agricultural income toward property taxes. If skyrocketing CAUV values push your bill over that cap, the state covers the difference. 

  • The "Hold Harmless" Guarantee: The state will use its surplus to reimburse local communities dollar-for-dollar. Our local police, firefighters, and schools will not lose a single penny. 

Real Relief in District 51: 

  • Senior Homeowner Example: A senior living on a fixed income of $30,000 with a $175,000 home will save $525 every single year under my plan. 

  • Family Farm Example: A farm netting $40,000 in a tough harvest year facing a spiked CAUV bill of $5,500 will receive a $1,500 state rebate check to keep their operating budget intact. 

In both cases, our local District 51 schools, townships and counties still receive 100% of their expected funding. 

BILL 2:

The Fair School Funding Plan Commitment Act 

  • 100% Funding: Move from the current partial funding to 100% state implementation of the bipartisan Fair School Funding Plan. 

  • Stop the Levy Cycle: Fully funding schools from the state level takes the pressure off local property owners to keep passing emergency school levies. 

  • Adjust for Inflation: Force the state formula to automatically update for modern costs so schools aren't trapped using outdated math. 

  • Protect Public Dollars: Place income limits on private school vouchers so public tax dollars stop subsidizing wealthy private tuition at the expense of our public schools. 

Can Ohio Afford This?

Yes. 

Ohio isn’t broke; its priorities are broken. Columbus is currently hoarding a $1.75 billion budget surplus and over $4 billion in a rainy day fund. 

My plan does not create new debt or raise taxes. It takes the extra money you already sent to Columbus and invests it right back into your home, your family, and your community.