DeWine Warns Ramaswamy Plan Could Push Ohio Sales Tax to 20%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 5, 2026
CONTACT: press@actonforgovernor.com

Gov. Dewine: Ramaswamy’s Plan to Abolish Property Taxes Could Raise Ohio Sales Tax to 20%.

Ramaswamy’s own party slams his plan to end property taxes as Governor DeWine says 20% sales tax would be “absolutely devastating”

COLUMBUS, OH — Governor DeWine slammed Vivek Ramaswamy’s support for abolishing property taxes, telling Cleveland.com that if the Vivek backed proposed constitutional amendment were to pass, “Sales tax could go up to 17, 18, 19, 20%, sales tax in the state of Ohio on products that you buy… it would be absolutely devastating.”

Vivek has pledged to eliminate both income tax and property taxes. He has faced criticism from his own party, including from Governor DeWine, the current Republican governor. DeWine told Cleveland.com: “We would be in a huge crisis in the state of Ohio, the legislature at that point would have to figure out where does that money come from? We could go from income tax that is the second lowest in all the states in the union that have an income tax to by far the highest, with an astronomical figure.”

“Our property taxes are out of control because of the special interest giveaways my opponent supports that force local taxpayers to foot the bill. Vivek Ramaswamy’s property tax plan would defund our police, gut public school funding and jack up our sales tax,” said Dr. Amy Acton. “If you spend just five minutes listening to Ohioans, it’s clear we need lower costs, not raise them. While families across Ohio are unable to keep up with skyrocketing grocery prices, utility bills and rising healthcare premiums, Vivek Ramaswamy would force a massive sales tax increase on every single thing Ohioans purchase. That’s why I’m committed to a working families tax cut, including property tax relief for Ohioans.”

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