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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Residents in Ohio, frustrated with rising property taxes, are advancing a proposed constitutional amendment to abolish them in the state.
👥 Who’s Involved: Citizens for Property Tax Reform, led by homeowner Beth Blackmarr and Keith Davey of Save Our Seniors, is spearheading the campaign.
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📍 Where & When: Ohio, with the Ohio Ballot Board approving the measure for signature collection in late 2023.
💬 Key Quote: “I suspect it’s because they built a wobbly tower of property tax law over these decades and they’re afraid to pull one of the blocks out.” — Beth Blackmarr, leader of Citizens for Property Tax Reform.
⚠️ Impact: If successful, Ohio homeowners could save thousands, but local governments warn of potential funding shortfalls for public services.
IN FULL:
Ohio residents are taking matters into their own hands in response to soaring property taxes, advancing a proposal to eliminate property taxes through a constitutional amendment. Citizens for Property Tax Reform, a grassroots group led by Lakewood homeowner Beth Blackmarr, is spearheading the initiative, which has gained traction amid growing frustration over rising bills.
The Ohio Ballot Board recently approved the measure, allowing the group to begin collecting signatures. To qualify for the November ballot, organizers must gather at least 413,000 valid signatures from registered voters across half of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 1, 2024.
Blackmarr, whose home’s assessed value surged by 51.9 percent last year, described the financial strain caused by the state’s property tax system. She criticized Ohio lawmakers for failing to address the issue, stating, “I suspect it’s because they built a wobbly tower of property tax law over these decades and they’re afraid to pull one of the blocks out.”
The push for property tax reform comes as Ohioans face a 23 percent increase in median property taxes from 2019 to 2023, surpassing the national average of 21.6 percent. Despite its reputation for affordable housing, Ohio currently ranks eighth in the nation for effective property tax rates.
While the proposal has garnered support from homeowners, critics warn of potential consequences. Local governments rely heavily on property taxes, which generated $18.5 billion in 2023, to fund public services.
Ohio lawmakers are considering nearly 20 additional bills aimed at reducing property taxes. However, the Citizens for Property Tax Reform campaign represents a direct effort by voters to address the issue themselves. If the measure reaches the ballot, Ohioans will decide whether to abolish property taxes or maintain the current system.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: PBS and its signature children’s show, Sesame Street, face accusations of “grooming” children after posting LGBTQ Pride Month content on social media.
👥 Who’s Involved: PBS, Sesame Street, Congressional Republicans, including Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).
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📍 Where & When: The controversy unfolded online on platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram during LGBTQ Pride Month.
💬 Key Quote: Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) said the post was “evil and should infuriate every parent in America.”
⚠️ Impact: Renewed calls from Republicans to defund PBS and NPR, with a House vote on this issue expected soon.
IN FULL:
PBS and its iconic children’s program Sesame Street are under fire following a social media post celebrating LGBT Pride Month. The post, shared on X and Instagram, featured an image of multi-colored puppets forming the shape of a Pride flag, accompanied by the message: “On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy Pride Month.”
The post drew swift criticism, particularly from members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC). The group, whose membership remains undisclosed, responded with a meme of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) captioned, “I am once again asking PBS to stop grooming children.”
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) also condemned the post, labeling it “evil” and urging parents to take notice. On X, she demanded, “DEFUND!!”
Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) echoed her sentiments, referencing a separate Sesame Street clip from 2020 featuring Queer Eye host Jonathan Van Ness, and stating, “Federal funds aren’t for grooming.”
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) joined the criticism, accusing PBS of “grooming children on American taxpayers’ dime” and calling for accountability from the broadcaster’s executives.
On our street, everyone is welcome. Together, let’s build a world where every person and family feels loved and respected for who they are. Happy #PrideMonth! pic.twitter.com/6JJFhxO9dC
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 1, 2025
The controversy comes as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, prepares for a House vote on defunding PBS and NPR. Greene has publicly declared her intent to vote “YES” on the measure.
This debate follows President Donald J. Trump’s executive order to halt taxpayer funding for PBS and NPR, citing the need for public broadcasting to remain “fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan.” NPR has since filed a lawsuit seeking to block the presidential directive.
According to the Associated Press, PBS and NPR collectively receive approximately $500 million annually through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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