Date of Award

Fall 10-2003

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Abstract

Despite the Ohio Supreme Court's determination that Ohio's school funding formula is unconstitutional because of its over-reliance on property tax, property tax remains the prevalent source of school funding in Ohio (the State). This study measured the sentiment of Ohioans toward the property tax and its alternatives.

Surveys were distributed to voters in Lucas County (the County) in late August of 2003 to evaluate public sentiment toward the property tax, and alternatives such as sales tax, income tax, and combinations of the three. The data collected included personal financial and background information of the participants. The research hypothesis formulated for purposes of this study is that Ohioans prefer a split between income and property taxes in lieu of the amount of property tax currently collected for the existing school funding system. The survey results varied somewhat by income level, gender, and political affiliation, but the vast majority of those surveyed preferred that the amount currently collected in property tax be reallocated and spread out among income, property, and sales taxes.

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