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Hamilton County Democrats endorsed the Cincinnati Public Schools levy during a special executive committee meeting Aug. 13. The endorsement comes after Democrats previously asked CPS to reconsider its proposed earned-income tax. CPS is seeking voter approval of a five-year, 0.75 percent earned-income tax expected to generate about $74 million annually.
The Hamilton County Democratic Party has endorsed the Cincinnati Public Schools levy ahead of the November election.
The party’s executive committee approved the endorsement during a special meeting Aug. 13.
The vote comes less than three weeks after Democrats urged CPS to reconsider its original tax proposal. The party’s earlier concerns focused on the district’s decision to seek an earned-income tax. CPS ultimately kept that measure on the November ballot.
The endorsement gives the levy support from one of the county’s largest political organizations. It also marks a change from the party’s position in late July. The Hamilton County Democratic Party had then questioned whether voters had enough time to consider the tax proposal. The party now backs the measure as CPS seeks recurring revenue to address ongoing financial pressures.
Hamilton County Democrats change course on CPS levy
Hamilton County Democrats previously opposed moving forward with the earned-income tax without more discussion. On July 28, the party’s executive committee voted 50-23 to ask CPS leaders to reconsider the proposal. WVXU reported that Chair Alex Linser said members wanted more time to discuss how Cincinnati should raise revenue for its schools.
The July vote did not represent opposition to every possible CPS levy. Linser said the party had historically supported school property-tax levies. He also said it was too early to determine whether Democrats would endorse a different levy option. The party’s position therefore remained unsettled after the July meeting.
CPS later proceeded with an earned-income tax instead of a new property-tax increase. The Board of Education voted 5-2 on July 27 to place the measure on the November ballot. The measure would impose a five-year tax of 0.75 percent on earned income for residents who live within the CPS district.
The distinction matters because the current CPS proposal is not a new property-tax levy. It is an earned-income tax levy. The tax would generate approximately $74 million annually if voters approve it.
CPS levy will go before voters in November
CPS will ask voters to approve the earned-income tax on Nov. 3, 2026. The district says the tax would provide recurring revenue for five years. The measure would apply to wages, salaries, tips and net earnings from self-employment. It would not apply to Social Security, pensions, retirement income or investment income.
The tax would also apply only to people who live within the CPS district. Someone who works in Cincinnati but lives outside the district would not pay the CPS earned-income tax. The district estimates a resident earning $50,000 would pay $375 annually. Someone earning $100,000 would pay $750 annually.
CPS selected the earned-income approach after considering several options. Earlier proposals included 7-mill and 8-mill property-tax levies. The 7-mill option would have generated about $64.7 million annually. The 8-mill proposal would have generated about $74 million annually.
The Cincinnati Enquirer also reported that CPS had considered both property-tax and earned-income options. The district’s final decision moved away from the property-tax alternatives.
Hamilton County Democrats back CPS levy after budget cuts
The Hamilton County Democrats’ endorsement comes as CPS continues dealing with a major budget challenge. The district previously faced a projected budget gap of nearly $58 million. School officials responded with staffing and spending reductions before turning to voters for additional recurring revenue.
CPS eliminated 111 positions during its budget process. The cuts included more than 80 central-office positions, 12 social workers, 10 assistant principals and eight counselors. WLWT reported that the district also implemented five mandatory unpaid days for some employees.
The district says its 2026-27 budget is balanced. However, CPS officials have warned that some of the measures used to close the immediate gap cannot continue indefinitely. The district says approximately $6.7 million of the fiscal 2027 budget relies on one-time revenue. That leaves officials searching for recurring funding to address future budget pressures.
The financial debate has also focused on rising operating costs. Transportation, insurance, utilities, instructional materials and building repairs have become more expensive. CPS officials say existing revenue has not kept pace with those costs.
The district’s budget situation has been a recurring topic for the Board of Education. The Cincinnati Exchange previously reported on the district’s levy deadline and its efforts to address the projected deficit. Cincinnati Public Schools levy deadline coverage and CPS budget cuts and levy discussions provide additional background.
CPS levy faces political opposition
The CPS levy does not have unanimous political support in Hamilton County. The Hamilton County Republican Party previously opposed the earned-income tax proposal. Republican Party Chair Josh Gerth called the proposal “reckless” and “irresponsible,” according to WVXU.
The Republican opposition means voters will hear competing arguments during the campaign. Democrats are now backing the levy after initially questioning the earned-income approach. Republicans have argued against additional taxation while criticizing the district’s spending.
The November vote will therefore determine whether CPS receives the additional recurring revenue. The outcome could influence staffing, programs and other district operations in future years.
The endorsement also places the Hamilton County Democratic Party behind a specific tax structure. That structure differs from the property-tax options the district considered earlier this year. The party’s decision followed the district’s final selection of the earned-income tax proposal.
What the CPS levy would fund
CPS says the additional revenue would help maintain educational programs and student services. The district plans to use recurring revenue to address ongoing financial pressures rather than relying solely on one-time measures.
According to CPS, the levy would support several areas:
- Literacy and mathematics instruction.
- College Credit Plus and Advanced Placement programs.
- Career and technical education.
- Magnet, Montessori and other specialized programs.
- Academic, attendance and behavioral-health support.
- Arts, athletics and enrichment.
- Transportation access.
- Implementation of the district’s strategic plan.
The district says the five-year period would align with its financial forecast and strategic planning cycle. Officials also say the defined period would give voters an opportunity to evaluate the district’s financial management and educational progress.
The Cincinnati Public Schools levy information provides the district’s explanation of the proposal and its projected financial impact.
Hamilton County Democrats endorse CPS levy before fall campaign
The Hamilton County Democrats’ endorsement gives the CPS levy a major political ally before the November campaign begins. The party’s support follows its earlier request for CPS to reconsider the earned-income proposal. The change reflects the district’s decision to move ahead with the measure despite the July objections.
The endorsement does not guarantee voter approval. Hamilton County voters will decide whether the additional tax is appropriate for CPS. The November election will determine whether the district receives approximately $74 million in annual recurring revenue for five years.
For homeowners, the proposal differs from the property-tax options considered earlier. The earned-income tax would be tied to residents’ wages and other qualifying earned income. It would not directly increase property-tax millage.
The political debate will likely focus on both the district’s financial needs and the tax burden on residents. CPS officials say recurring revenue is necessary to avoid repeating significant cuts. Opponents are expected to argue that the district should find additional savings before seeking more taxpayer money.
The Hamilton County Democratic Party’s Aug. 13 endorsement adds another development to that debate. Voters will ultimately decide the CPS levy when the measure appears on the Nov. 3 ballot.
FAQs
What did Hamilton County Democrats endorse?
The Hamilton County Democratic Party endorsed Cincinnati Public Schools’ levy proposal during a special meeting on Aug. 13. The current CPS measure is a five-year, 0.75 percent earned-income tax, not a new property-tax levy.
How much would the CPS levy raise?
The earned-income tax would generate approximately $74 million annually for five years. CPS says the money would provide recurring revenue for school operations and educational programs.
How much would the CPS earned-income tax cost?
A resident earning $50,000 annually would pay an estimated $375 per year. A resident earning $100,000 would pay approximately $750 per year.
When will voters decide the CPS levy?
Hamilton County voters will decide the CPS levy on Nov. 3, 2026. The measure will appear on the general election ballot for voters living within the Cincinnati Public Schools district.
