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The Ohio House approved a bill, sponsored by state Rep. Nick Santucci, to expand homestead exemptions to Gold Star widows.
The Gold Star Widow's Bill expands a property tax exemption to include those who have lost their spouses while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of a service-connected disability.
"The last thing a grieving military husband or wife should have to worry about is the cost of home ownership," Santucci, R-Howland, said. "This bill helps alleviate some of that tax burden and honors the service and sacrifice of our military heroes. It's a small gesture of appreciation the state of Ohio can make for those who gave their all for our nation."
A homestead exemption in Ohio allows those who qualify to reduce their property tax bills by shielding some of the market value of their homes from taxation, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. The exemption, which takes the form of a credit on property tax bills, allows qualifying homeowners to exempt up to $25,000 of the market value of their homes from all local property taxes.
Santucci said the bill would exempt surviving spouses until they die, remarry or cohabitate with another unrelated person.
The House approved the bill 90-1 with state Rep. Beth Lear, R-Galena, casting the lone vote in opposition.
The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.