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News: Ohio needs to give poor schools more resources, Plain Dealer
Notes: It is almost cliche to say that children our the future and a good education is the bridge out of poverty. Yet, it is true. Howard Fleeter’s Apples-to-Apples comparison of school funding schools clearly how we are under-investing in our schools. Ohio needs to restore the $607 million cuts to K-12 education, invest in early childhood education, and make sure that students have access to post-high school opportunities. Let’s invest in Ohio’s Future!

News: Unemployment falls in most of U.S., Ohio’s Rate Climbs a bit, Akron Beacon Journal
Notes: Politicians continue to say that tax cuts will create jobs. Yet, since the 2005 tax cuts, Ohio is in the basement compared to other states for job creation. Ohio’s unemployment rate also continues to rise while the nation’s falls, despite Ohio continuing to cut income taxes. California and Florida–widely different tax structures–both create many jobs in the past month. New Jersey, Kentucky, and Washington–widely different tax systems–all lose jobs. This data continues to  support the academic research that tax policy has little to no impact on job growth, unemployment rates, and economic vibrancy. The Dayton Daily News identifies that Ohio’s continuing weak job numbers are partially a result of government cuts and insecurity within public servant employment. 

News: Aid Sought for Students seeking two year degree, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: Students attend Ohio’s top-notch community colleges are ineligible for a state grant to help cover tuition expenses. The Ohio Association of Community Colleges is calling on the state legislature to invest $20 million into students who seek a high quality education. Businesses continuously say they need more trained skilled workers, and our community colleges are a key component of that. We have the resources, let’s invest in students instead of more tax cuts. 

News: More Ohioans sign up for welfare, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: Data can be interpreted many ways. Ohio’s welfare rolls inched upwards last month after 20 months of declines. However, the enrollment numbers are less important than the number of Ohioans that continue to struggle to meet their daily needs. Welfare enrollment numbers can be increased by expanding benefits and decreased by cutting benefits. Sadly, Ohio has cut many resources and imposed requirements that reduce the number of people receiving assistance without creating economic stability for many Ohio families. We need to invest in great public services that lead to stronger communities. 

 

 

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News: Ohio’s unemployment rate ascends to highest yearly rate, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: Ohio needs investments that will be the foundation for a strong economy. Infrastructure, a well trained workforce, and safe communities are a part of the solution to build a thriving economy in Ohio. Tax cuts in 2005 and in 2013 have restricted public investments that could lead to job growth in education, healthcare, and community services. As Ohio continues to look at future tax reforms, we need to make sure we have adequate revenues to invest in great public services that lead to stronger communities. Tax cuts have failed Ohioans in creating a stronger economy. 

News: Dual Eligible, Akron Beacon Journal
Notes: Education is key to developing a strong workforce and many Ohio students start their college curriculum while still in high school. With state budget cuts, schools struggle to find ways to finance these programs. As conversations continue on how to finance these systems, we cannot remove the responsibility of the state to help pay, because a well educated workforce benefits all of Ohio.

News: Northwest Ohio luring Japanese Firms, Toledo Blade
Notes: Japanese companies point to many factors that make Ohio an attractive place to do business. Infrastructure and the quality of our workforce top the list. As Ohio looks to recover from our anemic job performance over the past 8 years, we should identify what talents and resources we have and invest in those. We have prime location in the U.S., low cost of living and great workers. Let’s invest in Ohio’s Future. 

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News: Could Ohioans Get a Sales Tax Holiday, Dayton Daily News
Notes: Research demonstrates that a sales tax holiday in Ohio would cost our state and local communities over $78 million in revenue. Further, research demonstrates that a sales tax holiday only shifts spending into the holiday but does not generate new spending. A better use of $78 million in tax dollars would be to fund great public services that lead to stronger communities. 

 

News: Poor Students Consume state funding, leaving little to educate others, Akron Beacon Journal
News: Ohio Underestimates costs of teaching poor, Dayton Daily News
Notes: A new research report shows that Ohio’s urban, high-poverty districts are not in fact spending more per student than wealthy suburban districts. The new report develops an apples-to-apples comparison of school districts based on what the district spends for the average pupil’s education. This report highlights how we are likely under-investing in our high-poverty districts. Ohio’s Constitution requires that our legislature fund an ‘adequate and equitable’ system of common schools. It is time to invest in Ohio’s Future. Access the full report and information here 

News: Mental Health Care Lagging, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: Many social issues are inter-connected with each other. We cannot cut funding for one service to fund another and expect it be successful. Ohio needs a strong safety net, including mental health services, to help Ohio be a great place to live and raise a family. 

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News: JobsOhio tax credits go mostly to Columbus, Cincinnati Enquirer
Notes: We need the wealthiest corporations in Ohio to pay their fair share. Tax credits can be an effective economic development tool to encourage a business to do something that they would not do otherwise, such as designing an eco-friendly building, or abiding with a green space policy to enhance a community feel. However, tax credits are not an end-all answer to economic development. Tax credits also give advantages to those corporations who receive them over those who do not.

News: After the Shutdown, Akron Beacon Journal
Notes: State and local governments continue to provide tax credits, incentives, and other financial perks for large businesses that set up shop in their community. However, with the recent Lockheed Martin decision to close their plant in Akron, we see a few realities of modern economics emerge. First, Government investment matters. Lockheed Martin contracts with the defense department, and as a result of austerity, they need to reduce their labor force. Likewise, when Ohio invests in healthcare, social services, education or infrastructure, Ohio creates jobs as a direct result. Second, companies will not hire or fire people based on the availability of tax credits, but will hire and fire based on consumer demand.

 

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News: Let Bridge Repair Partnership Span all Quadrants of the State, Youngstown Vindicator
Notes: Democratic and Republican politicians recognize that investments into our bridges create jobs, stimulate the economy, and create safer travel conditions. Ohio’s counties, after over $1billion in cuts from the state, have 5,700 bridges that are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The $120 million from the state is a good first step in repairing our infrastructure, but many communities will see no improvements to their road safety. Communities need a real state investment into public infrastructure safety today. 

News: Bell’s ’14 budget called Austere, Toledo Blade
Notes: Toledo’s 2014 budget proposal will cut back on street repairs as a result of the elimination of the estate tax by the state that eliminates an estimated $3.4 million from the local budget. The city recieved $13.9 million from the local government in 2012, now the city will receive only $8.1million. The budget also cuts overtime money for police and fire fighters. 

News: New York City to Test New Tax Credit for Working Poor, Governing
Notes: Tax credits must be well targeted and evaluated for effectiveness for policymakers to implement them and to allow them to continue. Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) have proven effective at lifting individuals and families out of poverty. New York City is doing a study to expand the federal EITC in their city. Instead of poorly targeted and ineffective income tax rate cuts, Ohio should strengthen our EITC program at the state level. 

 

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News: Bleeding Revenue, Akron Beacon Journal
Notes: The state of Ohio plans to restructure payments to hospitals now that more individuals will be covered under the Medicaid Program. This makes sense in general, but Children’s Hospitals will not see an increase in coverage from newly enrolled Medicaid recipients because kids were already eligible for CHIP. Senator Widener proposed a $404 million tax cut while the ink was still wet on Medicaid Expansion, not realizing that he was going to fund it in part with $68 million taken from Ohio’s Children Hospitals. 

News: Legislators, Interest Groups offer ideas for Spending $404 million from Medicaid Savings, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: School funding is $607 million below 2010-11. Children’s Hospitals are concerned about losing $68 million. Opiate addiction is a serious health risk for Ohioans, and putting a strain on our mental health and criminal justice system. Ohio needs to fix 5,700 county bridges. Ohio’s veterans are deserving of our assistance in finding safe, decent and affordable housing and other services that they need. We can invest in these services or give 80% of Ohioans less than $3 a month. 

News: Ohio House Okay’s local income tax overhaul, Toledo Blade
Notes: Legislation originally intended to create uniformity and simplicity in Ohio’s local income tax system will reduce the tax responsibility of many businesses who are profitable. After a 50% cut to the local government fund, elimination of the estate tax, revenue sharing reductions, and the elimination of the property tax rollback, Ohio’s local communities continue to feel the pinch from Columbus. We need wealthy corporations to pay their fair share, and not pass along their responsibility to others. 

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News: Another Tax Spin, Toledo Blade
Notes: We have done this before and another tax cut is not the right path of fiscal responsibility and investing in our communities. Instead of tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest Ohioans, Ohio should re-invest in the College Opportunity Grant and local police and fire personnel. In addition to the items mentioned by the Blade, Ohio needs to invest in our public schools, preschool education, high speed internet and many other community services that need state support. A tax cut that gives the top 1% over $1,400 while giving the bottom 20% only $1 is an unwise decision for Ohio. We need to Invest in Ohio’s Future today!

News: Online retailers should not have tax advantages over brick-and-mortar competition: editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Notes: Did you pay your taxes this year? If you purchased something through Amazon or other online retailer, you are legally required to file and send Ohio the sales tax for that purchase. Barely anyone does. The Marketplace Fairness Act would develop a way for Amazon and other online retailers to collect that sales tax at the time of purchase. It will simplify our lives, create fairness, and generate revenue for great public services that lead to stronger communities. 

News: State officials must assure that Ohio schools have the computers needed for Common Core standards: editorial, Cleveland Plain Dealer
Notes: There are many questions regarding the Common Core Standards and whether or not they will be effective in evaluating students and helping to improve our classrooms. However, Ohio has adopted these standards, and a major component requires access for students to have access to the internet. Ohio is investing $607 million less in K-12 education compared to the 2010-11 budget. Teaching students to use the internet and computers are important skills and we need to invest in our schools technology today!

 

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News: Municipal income tax reform bill set to move ahead despite opposition from local governments, Plain Dealer
Notes: The House is expected to vote on HB 5 on Wednesday. This bill will reform what local communities can do with their local income taxes. It does more than create uniformity in filing requirements.  HB5 will also require cities to give away revenue to corporations through a 5 year loss carry-forward. This means that if company A has a ‘loss’ in year 1, they can deduct that loss off their income taxes when they are most profitable in year 5. Sophisticated and profitable businesses are capable of having losses, even when profitable. This change will impact different cities differently. For example, Cleveland already has this policy, but it will cost the city of Dayton $2million annually. On top of recent cuts to the Tangible Personal Property Tax (TPP), Local Government Fund (LGF), Estate Tax.

News: Columbus State considers a 2.5% tuition hike, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: When will we see a headline, “Local Colleges prepare to lower tuition?” A few simple steps could make this happen. First we need the state to remember that these state institutions are a sound public investment. We have seen that Ohio’s universities and colleges attract students from around Ohio, the country and the world. Next, business leaders continue to express their need for a well trained workforce. Ohio’s Community Colleges are a key component of that training. We need to invest in higher education today-We Need to Invest in Ohio’s Future!

News: Beshear’s tax reform plan gathering dust, Cincinnati Enquirer
Notes: The Governor of Kentucky asked for a study to be done on tax reform in 2012. The answer was that Kentucky should increase revenues by $659 million of their $9.5billion budget. Experts and researchers in many states agree that state revenue systems could be more effective at generating revenue. In Ohio proposals such as eliminating ineffective corporate tax loopholes, updating our severance tax on oil and gas drilling, and maintaining our progressive income tax are important steps to reform and improve Ohio’s tax system. 

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We would like to thank all of those dedicated to serving their communities in the United States military and Ohio National Guard today.

News: Changing Municipal Income Tax Law Riles Cities, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: The Municipal income tax reform was originally intended to simplify the process for individuals and businesses in multiple communities. Ohio’s legislature needs to be cautious about another cut to local governments. The current budget cuts local government funding by $95 million and this is after a $1 billion cut last budget. Creating tax loopholes for profitable corporations is not fair to our communities. If we really want to attract and encourage businesses, we need to build up strong communities with a well educated and capable workforce. 

News: Ohio Ranks 8th in Drawing International Students, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: The quality of our public colleges and universities attract over 28,000 individuals from overseas to come here. This is a testament to the high quality of our public investments into higher education in Ohio.
Huānyíng, bienvenida, willkommen, välkommen,Molweni, kuwakaribisha to Ohio!

News: ODOT casts Eye towards public transit, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: Public transit is a smart public investment that will bring communities closer together, create access to employment and entertainment options for individuals and families. Public transportation is a smart investment into Ohio’s Future!

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Happy Friday! Enjoy Your Weekend!

News: Bridge Repair is a Sound Investment, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: Yes it is. Investment in infrastructure does many things: Creates Jobs, prevents catastrophe, helps businesses move goods to market, and helps families travel safely to grandma’s house for a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner. The article fails to mention that most bridges are the responsibility of county engineers and not the state. As a result of continuing state cuts to the local governments, counties have struggled to maintain these bridges. $120 million is helpful but still a long way off from the over $1billion cut over the past few years in the state budget from local governments. 

News: 8 Shuttered Charter Schools lacked for students, not state money, Columbus Dispatch
Notes: We need to invest in great Public Services that Lead to Stronger Communities. Ohio needs to continue to address our school funding issues and develop systems that provide equity between districts. We should strive to create equitable opportunities for all students and make sure that the education they receive is adequate to meet the demands of a 21st century world. We need to invest in Ohio’s Future, today!