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News: A step forward on raising Ohio’s oil and gas severance taxes: editorial, Plain Dealer
News: Movement in the House, Akron Beacon Journal
Notes: When we go shopping this holiday season, we will go into a store, pick out something that has value to us, and pay the store for that item. The price we pay will likely be fair price based on the current economic market and demand for that item. If a store failed to update their prices after decades of economic changes, that store probably will not be in business very long. This is what has happened in Ohio with oil and gas drilling. Ohio needs to set a fair severance tax rate that reflects the value of these resources to Ohioans. As the newspapers point out, any revenue generated from a fair severance tax should not be used to offset Ohio’s income tax, but invested in our communities and restore funding for great public services that lead to stronger communities.
News: Who Should Pay?, Columbus Dispatch
News: Ohio Association of Community Colleges want need based aid restored, Youngstown Vindicator
News: The Columbus Dispatch Editorial Board asks the wrong question, “Is the state’s primary obligation to help as many needy students as possible to afford tuition, or to also help some cover living expenses?” The Ohio Association of Community Colleges proposes that Ohio restores funding to pre-recession levels for Opportunity Grants. This proposal will not require cuts to existing students at four year colleges. Ohio policymakers should ask the right question – “Is the state’s primary obligation to help as many needy students as possible, or give tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy.” When we ask the right question, the answer is clear.
