Ohio's public schools are facing an existential threat. If a measure to eliminate property taxes in Ohio makes it to the ballot and passes this fall, the results would be catastrophic for all of our public schools, students, communities, and local economies. Schools would close and consolidate, class sizes would balloon, programs would be eliminated, and we'd see massive layoffs of educators across the state - not to mention the devastating impact on other essential public services that are also funded by our property taxes. We need to be talking about this and telling everyone we know not to sign the petition. OEA Director of Government Relations Dan Ramos joins us for this episode to talk about how we got here and why eliminating property taxes without a plan to replace that funding is not the way to achieve needed property tax relief. GET THE FACTS | Click here for more information from OEA about school funding and property taxes in Ohio, including the catastrophic impact of the potential ballot measure to eliminate property taxes. DECLINE TO SIGN | Do not sign the petition to put this constitutional amendment on the ballot! Instead, click here to pledge not to sign the AxOHTax petition — and show that you’re committed to protecting public schools, public safety, and your community. RSVP FOR THE NEXT TOWNHALL | OEA is hosting a series of virtual town halls to educate members about this critically important issue. Thursday, April 30, 2026 – 5 p.m.-6 p.m.Thursday, May 28, 2026 – 5 p.m.-6 p.m.Thursday, June 25, 2026 – 5 p.m.-6 p.m.Register at: https://ohea.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FB_YR5P2QXqH2zpRYRgSRw LEARN MORE | OEA is part of a growing statewide coalition of educators, parents, first responders, seniors, and community members standing together against AxOHTax. Learn more at protectpublicservices.org. Featured Public Education Matters guest: Dan Ramos, OEA Director of Government RelationsDan Ramos is from Lorain, Ohio, where he attended school at St. John the Baptist and Lorain Southview High School. After graduating high school in 2003, Dan obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, International Affairs and Philosophy from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH in 2007. Through the 2008 presidential election cycle, he joined the Obama for America campaign, working to help elect President Obama in northeastern Ohio. In 2009, Dan was hired by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU) District 1199 WV/OH/KY. Initially working with SEIU as an Administrative Organizer, representing and negotiating contracts for SEIU’s state employees’ division, he became SEIU 1199’s Political and Legislative Liaison in late 2010. In 2011, Dan worked with fellow labor lobbyists and attorneys in the effort to stop Senate Bill 5 while it was in the General Assembly, and then lead SEIU’s efforts field in Central and Northeast Ohio to collect signatures referendum and then defeat SB 5 on the November 2011 ballot. In 2012, Dan moved to the Ohio Education Association. Dan has served as OEA’s Political Advocacy Consultant, where he was responsible for growing OEA’s member political action and legislative advocacy, increasing OEA’s PAC membership, the Fund for Children and Public Education, and assisting in OEA’s political coalitions, such as LEAD Ohio and the America Votes Coalition. In 2018, Dan Ramos moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he served as a Labor Relations Consultant for the Warren County Leadership Council, representing over 2,400 certified and classified K-12 teachers and ESPs.Dan returned to his political role with OEA in 2021, returning as a UniServ Political Advocacy Consultant and then moving into his current role as the Manager of Government Relations in May of 2022. Now, as the Director of Government Relations, Dan heads up OEA’s efforts to engage the Ohio General Assembly and Members of Congress to advance OEA’s legislative policy priorities, build relationships with Ohio’s elected officials, and engage members in advocacy and accountability programs. Dan also helps coordinate OEA’s political, coalition, and electoral programs. Connect with OEA: Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative WatchAbout us: The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. This episode was recorded on April 9, 2026.
