ABLE surveys area state legislature candidates on Ohio budget issues
(Plain Press, April 2010) Tick, Tock; Tick, Tock: Time is running out for the people of Ohio. In just under a year, our Governor and elected representatives in Columbus will have to come up with a new state budget. The major challenge is that there will be even less money available for this budget than the last, because revenues will continue to lag behind expenditures. In other words, there is more to spend money on than there is money to spend.
Many of us remember the last budget and its cuts to vital social services and other programs. These past cuts have seriously reduced Ohio’s ability to serve in areas such as day care, senior services, mental health and others. Any more budget cuts in the upcoming budget will do even more harm to health and human services in Ohio.
One group that has consistently challenged the position of many our elected representatives, including the governor, is Advocates for Budget Legislation Equality (ABLE). For the last two budget cycles, ABLE has worked to protect health and human services from cuts in the face of shrinking budget dollars.
As we look towards the next budget, ABLE advocates that we should respond to our budget crisis through three actions: reversing the state income tax cuts; replacing the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) with a more equitable tax on businesses; and eliminating the many tax loopholes favoring special interest groups. These solutions would bring in badly needed dollars that could restore many programs and services cuts in recent years.
This year, Ohio citizens will determine who will be our next set of elected representatives in Columbus. Both for the primary in May and the general election in November, candidates will be out and about in our community seeking votes. It is critical that citizens ask just what these candidates plan to do once they get to Columbus – how they will protect and strengthen the services and programs that most of us use and need.
ABLE began this process by sending a questionnaire to all Cuyahoga County candidates for the Ohio House and Senate asking their position on the coming budget process. Our questions and candidate responses received to date are shown below. We will continue to publish results over the next weeks both in print and on our web site at: www.merrickhouse.org/able.
You too can be part of this effort. You should feel free to direct any questions to candidates for the Ohio House and Senate as well as candidates for governor either as shown or by using your own version. We would be most interested in hearing any replies that you might receive. In addition, if you would like to be part of ABLE’s ongoing effort; contact Mike Cook, Merrick House’s Organizer, at 771-5077.
ABLE’s Budget questions and responses received as of 3-22-10
1. Ohio used Federal Stimulus funds to balance its last budget. However that was one-time money that will not be available for the next budget. How will you fill the gap in the next State Biennium Budget that will be created by the end of one-time only revenue such as Federal Stimulus funds ($8 Billion in total)?
Nicholas Celebrezze (D), 23rd District, State Senate Candidate
“We must take a close look at all governmental expenditures and programs, and where we can find wasteful spending we must eliminate it and retire unnecessary programs.”
Kelli Perk (D), 17th District, State Representative Candidate
“I would look to eliminate waste in state government and halting more tax cuts until the gap is filled.”
Andre White (D), 12th District, State Representative Candidate
“Hopeful the economy will be strong in two years if not we must review efficiency of current system and reduce cost and slot and casino should fill some of the gap.”
Theresa Talbott (D), 12th District, State Representative Candidate
“Give a new tax credit to small businesses that hire new workers or raise wages. Help families care for their children – such as daycare, camps, and college tuition. Program for home foreclosure. Job Training Program.”
What is your opinion of the 2005 State tax overhaul including (a) the 21% income tax reduction, and (b) business tax changes including the elimination of the corporate franchise tax?
Celebrezze
“The 2005 tax reduction program came prior to the downturn in the economy and when the State had sufficient funds to operate existing programs. We must use every effort to expand employment in this state which will generate additional tax revenue thereby providing sufficient funds to operate State programs.”
Perk
“I understand that elimination of these taxes are designed to attract new businesses and residents to Ohio, or encourage businesses to expand and families to remain. However, tax cuts need to be balanced with the need to fund critical services.”
White
“21% income tax reduction would not hurt the budget. Corporate business should pay taxes it unfair for these company not pay they share.”
Talbott
Did not answer.
Many dollars are wasted each year by allowing tax loopholes to reduce taxes paid by a variety of special interests. Would you support a review of the 122 tax loopholes included in the current State Tax Expenditure Report and support elimination of those that would raise critical revenue for the 2012-13 Biennium Budget?
Celebrezze
“I would absolutely a review of any tax loopholes that exist. If we eliminate the tax loopholes it would appear that a moratorium on new tax credits and exemptions would be unnecessary.”
Perk
“Yes.”
White
“Yes.”
Talbott
Did not answer.
Previous budgets have resulted in cuts in a variety of basic needs area. These include but are not limited to health care, day care, senior services and mental health. Would you commit to support or expand human services in areas such as these? Are there particular priorities that you would support in restoring health and human services? If so, what are they?
Celebrezze
“I would absolutely support expansion of human services areas of our budget. All areas related to basic human services are crucial to the residents of this state and must be funded to provide and appropriate level of service. “
Perk
“I would work to at least maintain current levels of human services. I would also seek to expand spending for programs designed to keep the elderly and disabled in their homes, which costs less than nursing home care, saving money overall.”
White
“Supporting county and state levies to raise money.”
Talbott
“Yes, I would support human services, mental health services – people need out-reach services, medical services, services for the homeless with physical and developmental disability, counseling with other agencies, emergency shelter for men and women.”
Over the past months, we have seen significant cuts to critical services within our rapid transit system which have been attributed to a lack of funding. To what level should our state budget provide funding for transit services and how can that best be accomplished?
Celebrezze
“Clearly, mass transit is an important part of growing our economy and we should take all steps necessary to ensure the availability of the residents to be able to reach their places of employment without clogging our highways.
Perk
“Funding should be directed to those mass transit services shown to be utilized the most, such as busses. The state should provide a level of funding that allows regional transit authorities to keep fares affordable, because the state does benefit by less pollution and less crowded highways.
White
“Motor fuel tax; a portion of the money dedicated to roads and bridges should be dedicated to transit cuts could be avoided.
Talbott
“Apply for a grant for two years. To help curve funding, offer reduced fares for all eligible persons.”
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