Gov. DeWine says no to sales tax holiday expansion

NORWALK — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a controversial measure in the state's new budget that would have expanded the sales tax holiday in Ohio from one weekend to two weeks. In vetoing the measure, DeWine said, "Because the expanded sales tax holiday is a new policy, the revenue loss that will be a result cannot be estimated. Instead of requiring that the initial expanded sales tax holiday be two weeks long, a veto will allow the Tax Commissioner and the Director of Budget Management, with the County Commissioners Association, to determine the length of the first expanded sales tax holiday in 2024," according to a report from WOIO TV in Cleveland. Huron County Commissioners had expressed concern over the proposal saying it could have cost Huron County up to $500,000 in lost revenue. "We're taking a major hit," Commissioner Terry Boose said last month, talking about the proposed expanded sales tax holiday. "This is not a friendly budget to local government." The proposal, pitched by Republican senators, would have extended Ohio's sales tax holiday, starting in August 2024, to two weeks, when purchases of tangible goods worth $500 or less would not be taxed, according to the Associated Press. Currently, the sales tax holiday in Ohio is Aug. 4 to 6. Clothing of less than $75 per item is tax-free, while school supplies of less than $20 per item are tax free, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators website. But commissioners interviewed on Wednesday all said they are going to play a wait-and-see game. "I am not sure I totally understand the veto," Boose said. "I need more information." Commissioner Skip Wilde agreed. "I still need more information," he said. "I'm not sure what's going to happen so I really can't comment. I think we need a little more information." Commissioners Harry Brady said he's happy DeWine vetoed the measure. "In general, I'm not sad to see this is not going to be extended," Brady said. "The sales tax is one of the (taxes) I don't really have a problem with."