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Y! MyWebState's budget deficit growing
For the first time, most Ohioans may make less money in 2009 than they did in past years.
Monday, December 01, 2008
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COLUMBUS — Job losses, plummeting housing values and shaky consumer confidence across the nation are translating into a budget nightmare for Ohio ,which is now looking at a $640 million shortfall for the current fiscal year and as much as a $7.3 billion funding gap in the upcoming two-year budget.
In the next two years, Ohio will confront the most serious erosion in revenues in the past 40 years, according to the Strickland administration.
Despite the dismal numbers, Gov. Ted Strickland said he is not considering a tax hike.
Budget Director Pari Sabety said on Monday, Dec. 1., that the economy has taken a sharp turn for the worse just in the last 10 weeks. One projection indicates most Ohioans will make less money in the upcoming year than they did in past years.
"This has never happened in Ohio history," she said.
The big problem is that Ohio?s two workhorse taxes — sales and income — are both bringing in less than expected. The state will see $491 million less in sales tax revenues in fiscal year 2010 than it did in fiscal year 2008 and that will be the first two-year decline in sales taxes since 1950.
Since Ohio started its income tax in 1972, there has never been a two-year decline in income tax revenues but now it looks like Ohio is at the start of a three-year, $1.4 billion decline.
Gov. Ted Strickland declined to say what specific programs might be cut or how many of the state?s 60,500 employees may lose their jobs. The state's budget must be balanced by June 30 when the fiscal year ends.
The state already slashed 12.75 percent from the state's current two-year operating budget and trimmed 3,000 workers from the state payroll in the past 18 months.
Strickland is appealing to President-elect Barack Obama to work with Congress to send more money to states, including $100 billion in grants for basic services and $3.2 billion in additional welfare money. He also asked Obama to support a $25 billion aid package for the Big Three automakers since auto manufacturing and supply chain jobs are crucial to Ohio.
Strickland sent a letter to Obama on Monday and will make his case to Obama in person along with other governors at the National Governors' Association meeting in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
He said he plans to lay out the budget problems to legislative leaders, state employee unions, and other groups and work with them to come up with fixes.
Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1624 or lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Shadow
December 3, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
Cut jobs from the TOP down.Do NOT replace these higher ups with HIGHER paid people AND discontinue DUPLICATE services. There are agencies out there sending HIGHLY paid people down the road in SEPARATE State cars(yep, tax payers pay for the gasoline) to do basically the SAME tasks. Hire rounded managers who are responsible for their own communication & schedule through computer usage, voice mail, etc.& get rid of the many Admin Assts who are simply glorified secretaries making 30.00+ per hour.
By Roger
December 2, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Get all Dems out of Ohio and replace them with Reps. They have been running down this state long enough. Law enforcement and Dems backed the no casino vote now they are losing thier jobs. Less clean house on the next vote.
By Patrick
December 2, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
JB: I know. I guess they do that to make sure your spending does not significantly go beyond your income level. They also want to know what you buy. I don’t think they should be doing this.
With a sales tax, they could get rid of a significant portion of their workforce because there are significantly less retailers than there are income earners.
By JB
December 2, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Patrick - Every credit card transaction is now reported to IRS - EVERY one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhEfIQGHbfc
By Patrick
December 2, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
RM - well, if we had a sales tax system, the IRS would not be in individuals affairs. They could focus on retailers collecting and submitting the revenue to the Treasury. Do you not think the Federal Government is scrutinizing your records? Trip up one time and see what happens. Look what happened to Joe the Plumber.
By Jim 5
December 2, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Ken Blackwell promised to spend .65 of every education tax dollar in the classroom. That means that over .35 of each education dollar is going to “something else”. We need to cut out the “something else”. This would free up over 35% of our current tax revenues going to the single largest expense of the state of Ohio.
By RM25483
December 2, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
More seriously, Patrick, unless you are paying out more to charities than your basic exemption, it’s not really worth your effort to itemize those expenditures. I tell the government how much I earn so that I pay taxes at the correct rate/level; in that way, I pay Less than I would under the proposed Fair Tax system. And it is not really my business what others are paying in taxes, so long as someone ( the IRS ) is at least attempting to make sure they are paying their ‘fair’ amount currently.
By DonnelsvilleGuy
December 2, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Start by forcing early retirements. Then no new hiring. Then, pay cuts across the board. Next, a 5% budget cut for each and every agency. Next, no new road work unless it is mostly federal matching, then stop all these crazy public works projects like the what they did in New Carlisle - - tearing out all the trees and sidewalks and putting in new ones - for what? Now it looks as sterile as a mall! It looks like people are damn mad and maybe those in the statehouse should listen!!
By RM25483
December 2, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Patrick, if you are having trouble determining just how much that you are paying in taxes, perhaps you should consult a professional accountant. I am already aware what my taxes are at each level; it is not that difficult to figure out. Paying more in Fair Tax may be simpler math, but it is still paying more. Transparency on the government’s side ( spending of your Fair Tax dollars ) is not guaranteed by the proposed Fair Tax legislation.
By JB
December 2, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
A few things for starters:
By Patrick
December 2, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
RM25483 - yes I am serious. Get the taxes out there where everyone can see how much they are paying - it’s called transparency! Why do I have to tell the government what I earn, what charities I contribute to and who I invest with? That’s what you get with the income tax.
With a sales tax, I pay at the point of sale and I know exactly how much.
By jane
December 2, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Wordell: I totally agree with what you said…great minds think alike! ;)
By Kevin
December 2, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Give every person 18 and over across this nation 30,000 dollars and watch this economy stand right back up on its feet!!! Sure, youll have those deadbeat ner do well idiots that will blow their share on drugs and alcohol. But the vast majority of responsible Americans will infuse our economic systyem by paying on back bills such as mortgages, loans, and the things they need to get their heads back above water!!
By Kevin
December 2, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Wow!!! Alot of people weighing in on this subject. Thats what I like to see! Thats the America I know and love! Let the voices of america be heard!! I`ve read many great opinions on this page and our leaders NEED TO LISTEN!!! So far the one I like the most is Rich at 9:58 this morning. The federal government should take all of this bailout money going to insurance companys, the auto industry, and now the airlines who have their hands out and give it to the people!!
By Sunshine
December 2, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Our household will receive and spend a bonus this year. A bonus the State of Ohio is giving out from the rainy day fund…a total of 125 Million (I think). All Veteran from the Gulf War on will receive this bonus. Really it isn’t right when the State is talking lay-offs.
By Me
December 2, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Interesting point 0hi0wrangler. Although, it doesn’t really matter - ex-cons can’t get jobs in America once they’ve been released from prison. They’re usually relegated to a life of crime for the rest of their life. We’ve got an ever growing percentage of people living below the radar, where they pay no taxes and they increase the extent of the black market. Sometimes we can be so stupid with our laws.
By Darrell Wacker
December 2, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Cut spending-plain and simple. Cut in every department. That’s how ordinary folks respond to a cut in revenue, and it’s no different for the state.
By CommonSense
December 2, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately, the tax-and-spend state house only knows how to raise taxes - They don’t know how to cut spending. That’s why Ohio moved from one of the lowest taxed states, to one of the highest taxed states in the Union. There’s soooooo much fat on the bones of our state government and so many programs that could be cut, but nobody wants to give-up their piece of the tax-payer pie. Greed, greed, greed… on of the seven deadly sins.
By 0hi0wrangler
December 2, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Research the many sources on the stupidity of our laws and thinking on prisons and released inmates. Educate the public on the large chunk of money spent on our prison systems. Longer sentences accomplish no more than the shorter ones we used to have, and longer sentences mean longer time in prison and more expense to keep them there. Good behavior means shortened sentence. More groups ready to help released inmates find jobs and housing. they did their time, now give them a second chance
By Sunshine
December 2, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Cut back on some State jobs especially high up jobs. You do not need 2 supervisors for every 3 employees! Come on, Governor have someone check each Department. The Departments are very top heavy!!
By Rich
December 2, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
First, how about taking the $700 billion we’re giving to, well, I’m not sure who Paulson is giving it to, but regardless, let’s not give it to them, but rather give it to us. Second, get rid of Strictland & McLin & replace them with someone that is fiscally responsible. Third, quit giving the schools our money that the schools are using for things that we didn’t approve. Fourth, allow casinos. Fifth, provide incentives to attract 21st century jobs. Sixth, eat more beans & weinnies.
By Sunshine
December 2, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Cut back on some State jobs especially high up jobs. You do not need 2 supervisors for every 3 employees! Come on, Governor have someone check each Department. The Departments are very top heavy!!
By Economist
December 2, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Tim-smart idea lets eliminate more jobs bcause we R anti-union.That is idiotic and would only create more financial problems, solving nothing.More jobs through aggressive campaigning and re-educating the OH worker to attract new industry to OH is what needs to be done.
By Mike
December 2, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
GLENN, I was thinking the same exact thing when I saw that picture. Its a woman, but she definitely is sporting “dude features!”
By Lizaro
December 2, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
This may sound simple-but how about living within our means.A very simple concept that has been lost N American society on every level and this also explains much of our current economic problems as well.This will be unpopular, but yesterday I read an article about providing bonuses 2 veterans and how 2 fund the program.I appreciate those who served in the military, but obviously if we can not pay our current bills then Y should we even consider paying bonuses 2 anybody and take on debt 2 do so.
By RM25483
December 2, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Increases in tax revenue will not fix the underlying problems here. Be it through raising existing taxes, converting to the increased Fair Tax, or introducing new luxury-type taxes ( ex. cigarettes, soft drinks ), higher taxes is less money in your pocket, which in turn is less that you can spend in your local ( and state ) economy. Even if we raise taxes to balance the budget… they will only Spend and Waste MORE. We need to spend LESS. It is that simple.
By chas young
December 2, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Our state needs to give more tax incenatives to busineses. Due to DHL leaving Wilmington, that city now has a huge facility with a very nice airport ready for another company to take over. that would create jobs in Wilmington. The state should also look into welfare reform a lot of people don’t like that idea but I truely believe welfare has gotten out of hand.
By RM25483
December 2, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Patrick, you cannot be serious: “Texas cities, counties, transit authorities and special purpose districts have the option of imposing an additional local sales tax for a combined total of state and local taxes of 8 1/4% (.0825).” Cleveland has a sales tax rate of 8.5%; surely they should be better off than Texas cities, no? Did you even do the math proposed on the links you sent? Do you need help calculating? Do you only receive smiley faces instead of actual numbers when you hit Enter?
By Glenn
December 2, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Is that a man or a woman in the picture?
By Patrick
December 2, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Here are some links to studies that have been done:
Ohioans for the FairTax http://www.ohfairtax.org/
Ohio FairTax Estimate http://www.ohfairtax.org/OhioStateFairTaxEstimate.pdf
By Patrick
December 2, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Ohio should follow the Texas model for generating revenue:
Texas Sales and Use Tax State Sales and Use Tax is imposed on all retail sales, leases and rentals of most goods, as well as taxable services.
Texas cities, counties, transit authorities and special purpose districts have the option of imposing an additional local sales tax for a combined total of state and local taxes of 8 1/4% (.0825)
By Log Cabin John
December 2, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Boy, are we making progress! Kindergartners feuding in sandboxes make more sense than suggestions I’ve read. Jobs, jobs, jobs! People will work if they can earn a “living” wage and $8 an hour part-time jobs through headhunter agencies don’t get it! How many gov’t employees live on less than 15 grand a year? Stop the pee quizzes, the background checks, and the 10-week waiting period to find work. Give people a chance, trust them; they’ll prove you wrong every time! Kicked dogs always bite back!
By VietVet
December 2, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
(continued)- and most importantly- start cutting assistants to the assistants type jobs (Assist. Directors/Managers) Cut where the higher salaries exist if the job seems to be a duplication/ consolidate job duties with managers/directors taking on more than one department. Streamline the entire system as to paperflow/ information passing.
By VietVet
December 2, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this
Fix the deficit?- Immediately place a freeze on promotions and raises. Start with a state department- any department- with an audit. Review each job looking for duplication and how “busy” the job keeps a person. Downsize any and all duplicate jobs, incorporate some essential job duties into remaining jobs.Repeat above until all depts. have been covered. Have employees start contributing to their benefits if not already doing so at the private industry rate of contributions. Review existing wages
By Over 70
December 2, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
County administrators should expect little from the state for the next three years. The construction industry should expect very few tax-funded new projects. Thousands of public sector layoffs at all levels of government are certain. Tax revenues will shrink: for example, my retirement fund is worth less than what I put in it originally. Few profits to tax. Even real estate taxes should shrink a little as property values fall. It’s not just Ohio that is in a mess. Want to move to Florida?
By Tim
December 2, 2008 4:25 AM | Link to this
This ia gem by Bill C “We should cut salaries on any state employee by 1% for those who are supervisors or above.”
No Bill…just like the auto industry we need to get rid of overpaid state union workers.
By teacher
December 2, 2008 3:37 AM | Link to this
David - get a clue - read the post above yours. Of course, none of the porch monkeys voted more than once either. You are truly as stupid as the democrats want you to be. Totally intellectually bankrupt.
By press2fordeportation
December 2, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this
And just think our poloticians in washington DC including Mr.Obama think that this country and state need more foreign labor coming in the country to take American and Ohios’ jobs.Not to mention the 20-30 million illegals that they are breaking their necks to give amnesty to.Where does that leave working mean and women of Ohio? Well we will be forced to work for lower and lower wages because if you dont want the poverty wage jobs they will have plenty of cheap foreign labor willing to do it.
By David
December 1, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
@teacher: don’t be an idiot — illegal aliens don’t vote. Or is that the latest Republican talking point, that Obama wouldn’t have won if illegal aliens had been prevented from voting?
By Wordell
December 1, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
karon: Trains….you haven’t mentioned trains to fix the state budget deficit!!!! WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!!!!! TRAINS WILL FIX EVERYTHING!!!! TRAINS WILL MAKE US GO STRAIGHT DOWN THE TRACK, NOT VARY LEFT OR RIGHT!!!…SPEED US TOWARDS ECONOMIC RECOVERY!!!…MAKE CIALIS & VIAGRA MOOT DUE TO THE RIGIDITY OF A SPEEDING TRAIN!!!!…PROVIDE A BREEZE TO THE “BREEZE CHALLENGED” LIVING NEAR UNUSED (presently) RAILROAD TRACKS!!!!…HOW “COOL” IS THAT!!!…karon…IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES!
By teacher
December 1, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
We should deport illegal aliens, but since they vote for democrats, that will never happen.
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
When my husband lost his job, we lost half our income. We were not prepared for that, we did not see it coming. We adjusted our budget. We cut alot. It’s amazing what you can do, but it was not easy. We definitely struggled. We still paid our bills to survive and we ate less. It was stressful and we constantly worried, but eventually we adjusted to the new income level. Nobody bailed us out and no government assitance was available. Our government needs to do adjust as we did.
By teacher
December 1, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Tubal ligation for the welfare queens. High tariffs for imported goods (they certainly do it to us), expell the disruptive students from public schools, bust the unions, and last but not least, quit believing the democrats promises that they can deliver utopia with a tax cut to boot.
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
we give them our money and they do what ever they want with it. We whine about it, but we do nothing. I don’t care when it started, I don’t care whose fault it is. If we Ohioans really want to fix our problems we need to take control of our government officials. They are NOT listening to us. And we need to find some unity here and some understanding for each other. This budget shortfall is absurd. They want us to believe they didn’t see it coming. How many of you live on a budget
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
this. This state use to be a great place. Cost of living was reasonable and jobs were a plenty. We can have that again, but we have to quit looking for the government to give it to us. The government is just an entity that takes our money and then decides what to do with it and tells us what is best for us. We have to stop that, we need to tell our government what they can and cannot have and quit listening to their lies. Notice they are doing fine and we are not. Why are they fine, cause
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
to be sure we aren’t poisoned by food manufacturers for profit. We grew and produced these standards through past mistakes and then our government imports food with less standard and accepts it to be politically correct. I degress (?spell). The point is the greedy corporations and businesses have been working with the government to the detriment of the country and now Obama wants to work with the unions to the detriment of our country. We have to put our foot down and we Ohioans need to fix
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
More taxes on citizens and businesses is not the answer at this time. We need to come up with real answers for Ohio, not the US. We can’t look at the federal government or the state government to fix this. We are free enterprise capitalist system. Our government is suppose to stay out of that and only monitor and input laws to protect us from corporate greed. Our system does work if our government does their proper job. Like setting up food standards and really enforcing them to ensure
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Our forefathers are rolling over in their graves and what our politicians have done to this country and they are disappointed with us for being so complacent. Our forefathers would have rioted and overthrown our government and put it back on track. They believed in we the people. We the people that wanted freedom and not to be taxed for wasteful spending that had not benefit but the exploit us the laborers. We have become what they left behind and now we must stand up as they did.
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
states forcing them to enact policies they did not agree with but had to go along to get federal money to maintain country wide infrastructure, like I-70 and I-75 for example. Between federal regulations and state regulations we people have been loosing our money to taxes and our freedoms for the benefit of corporate profit and governmental officials political greed to become rich off the taxpayers backs.
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
it matters now what we the people of Ohio are going to do to fix our situation and make the government listen to us. That’s the real problem. Our government has not been listening to us. States are responsible for taking care of themselves in conjunction and cooperation with the other states. It is not and was never intended for the federal government to take care of individual states. We all pay federal taxes for the good of all states. Problem federal government grew to big and invaded
By Patty
December 1, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Wow, the conversation sure changed from the day conversation. There sure are a lot of strong feelings here and a lot of people frustrated over each of us not being able to agree. All of these posts are examples that are government is not working for us. That does not mean the government that our forefathers designed in our constitution is not working for us, it means the people that are suppose to govern are not doing there jobs. It does not matter what brought us here now, it matters what
By karon
December 1, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Ohio must start preparing for 21st century jobs. Ohio is still in the old ecomony. Great article in the Columbus Dispatch today about Ohio is still in 20 century when it comes to jobs!
By Rebel
December 1, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
We need jobs. Blue collar jobs. Bring back our large factories. We would have additional tax money and additional social security money. Let Americans have 1st choice at the jobs. Get rid of welfare in Ohio. People come here from all over because of the welfare in Ohio. Quit giving our jobs and money away to those who do not deserve it.
By Nicky Scarfa
December 1, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Jobs have been bleeding out of Ohio for the last 25 years.The government will not stop Japan from flooding this country with their manufactured goods. While Japan, China and Korea put up barriers to our goods. The Politicians don’t care. Their palms are getting greased by foreign donations to their PACS and Parties. What the bleep do they care that average Americans are losing their jobs?? Will Ohio have the population of Rhode Island in 25 years??
By Christopher
December 1, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
I agree we need to consolidate, to many little fiefdoms with little kings and queens making big wages for doing very little. To many village Police Chiefs, to many Mayors, City managers, and where are they at when you need one of them ? Try seeing your local City manager if your John Q. Public….
By Howard
December 1, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Simple, I would cut 25% of the State Employee’s and bust the unions still left representing the remaining employees. I could tell you stories about waste in Government that would make your head spin. It is going to have to happen everything else in our economy is adjusting itself, so will over paid Federal, State, and local public employee’s.. The tax base has shrunk and with no recovery in sight it’s time for Government payrolls to shrink also..
By earl
December 1, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
You can’t manage your household expenses with spending binges, and more going out than you bring in.
Apparently Ted Strickland and the Legislature haven’t figured out this simple fact
By painfultruth
December 1, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
By Left already
December 1, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
I was born and raised in Ohio. I left this past summer after 37 years. The housing market stinks in OH, the unemployment rate is sky high…and I have to laugh, over inflated government employees? make squat in the great state of OH. I was a government employee, helping secure the safety of your children from predators…I got a 3% COLA in 2008 and it didn’t cover the cost of my health care cost increase. I lost money in 2008. I left the state and came to WY to no state tax and double the $
By Publicus
December 1, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Ohio’s system of local government — dozens of villages, towns and townships duplicating services — costs a lot of money. And then there’s the fact we have too many school districts, which runs up administrative costs.
By Wordell
December 1, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Ohio needs to file for Chapter 11…..
By Publicus
December 1, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
A reminder to all: commas (,) and periods (.) should have a space ( ) following them, thusly: “My dog, Bob, likes his kibble. He prefers Iams, but will eat Ol’ Roy if he has to.”
By Barry
December 1, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
or we could raise taxes so people pay more in taxes then they take home with them, that would work
By Barry
December 1, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
how about these ideas, try cutting spending. maybe reduce some payroll, spend less on prisoners, spend less on illegal aliens, stop giving money away to people who do not have jobs. turn off some lights, stop wasting money on paper ballots, turn down the heat, hold the road repair crews responsible for “repairs” that last less then a year before they are full of pot holes. I am looking forwards to next year when the dems can not blame all that is wrong in the ‘verse on mean old bush
By Mike
December 1, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
I bet all of you who loved and voted for Bush not once but twice are really kicking yourselves. I remember the debate with Kerry in 04 Kerry actually said this would come to pass. Now you wanna cry since we can make streets and builds schools in Baghdad but schools and streets here in Ohio are falling apart.
Obama 2012
By Old Scratch
December 1, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Put Dean Lovelace in charge of finance, and Rhine McClin in charge of Housing and Urban Development. You get the government you deserve. I spent Thanksgiving with relatives in Tennessee, they relocated there from Ohio. Business is great down there! I find it hard to believe it’s the same country. No state income tax, low property taxes, as soon as I can I’ll join them.
By kimberly
December 1, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
we invest in prisons and jails,law inforcement is very agressive against our young people in the state of ohio i see cops just sitting watching for minor traffic violations kind of a waste of money.go after the real bad guy,killers,etc.they sent my kid to jail over a traffic ticket .ohio jails are very crowded. we the people pay taxes to keep jails open. should only send the very bad people ro jail.it would cost less
By Ron
December 1, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Ohio is not the only state having this problem. Soon it will be every state and ever city in the country. One poster,RM…, stated “we need to simply quit giving so much away”. Have you looked at your tax liability in terms of State vs. Federal? This is a Federal Government problem. It’s called trickle down folks. The US government is bleeding us dry and leaving the states and localities to blame. REDUCE THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. If we don’t, soon we will all be jobless…
By Get Real
December 1, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Why are we complaining? We are getting change on Jan. 20th, this is just a warmup and then everything is going to magically work out. I think we will get what we deserve. TURN YOUR BACK ON GOD AND YOU WILL SUFFER!!!!!!
By Tired Of Being Taxed
December 1, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
How to balance the buget? Simple: stop spending, stop spending, and stop spending… Get the government off people’s backs. This might make Ohio more interesting to those who earn money. This in turn could reduce the housing slump by bringing more housing buyers to Ohio (rather than push them away as is presently happening). Reducing taxes might actually bring businesses back too.
By RM25483
December 1, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
We can do better, don’t count Ohio out. We have great resources here and our state government already has plenty of money. We just need to allocate and trim it responsibly. I’m not leaving; I want to be here and be among the first to feel it when the sun shines on Ohio again.
By Ike
December 1, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
This will be Middletown unless they Cut salaries and benefits to emplyees.
By RM25483
December 1, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Tim, your posts concern me. I have lived in Ohio my entire life. I grew up learning what unemployment, welfare, food banks, clothing banks, and Thanksgiving turkeys and envelopes of cash on your doorstop were all about. I love Ohio, the people here are family. We are home to the largest Air Force base ( and museum ) in the world; we have NASA here; our corn crops feed and fuel millions; we developed flight here; and we have the largest universities and research facilities on earth.
By Stacy Law
December 1, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
I wonder how much we would save if we fired government workers like the lady from Clayton who have too much time on their hands checking records of law-abiding citizens.
By karon
December 1, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
High speed passenger trains will put Ohio into 21st century. These trains are wonderful for travel and bringing back Ohio cities! Cities are where job creation come out of NOT suburbs. Priesdent elect Obama supports the high speed passenger trains!
By RM25483
December 1, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Tim, I am a little confused by your post. Many of the posts here include cutting expenses ( including absolving numerous extaneous administrative positions ); the posts here emcompass far more than taxes. While I agree that collecting child support debts owed will help, I seriously doubt it will have a large impact on the State deficit. Could you clarify?
By tim.f
December 1, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
man out of work due to the fact they owe child support.I mean(common people)why would the state pay 10-20% to a company like capital recovery when the state is responsable.And to finish off this pious bull I only want to say,why worry about anything we ,me and people who have been raised in this state are leaving and good rids because its embarrasing to me to say I lived in OHIO.So the Hell to all you who have opinons on others and dont look into themselfs.
By tim.f
December 1, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Well I have heard it all now,I have looked through all of the posts and all I see is people saying taxs,taxs,taxs,and what I know is that all you people dictating this crap are ignorant.Do you hate the poor,do you hate the handicapped,do you hate everybody but your selves?It takes money to make money and to hire on a criminal like capital recovery to collect on debts owed to not only the women in this state for child support but all the debts owed through the crimminal divison.But to put every m
By Patty
December 1, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
To go along with getting rid of the illegal aliens in Ohio how about not approving visas for immigrants why we are in these tough times. But that’s not going to happen. Our Dayton officials went overseas this year looking for businesses to relocate to Ohio. Our officials are not even looking at American businesses our American workers. We the people need to get this budget and review it and fix it. Like I don’t think they need to spend money on pretty flowers for next year we can do without
By RM25483
December 1, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
So you have to ask yourselves… is that what we really want? An increase in taxes for the middle class? I thought we wanted fewer taxes. What we need is fewer expenses. We need to simply stop giving so much away.
By tim.f
December 1, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I need to finish this off by saying >>>>no its not the smokeing taxs,and no its not nothing more than the Govenor of this screwed up state is to blame and I hope everybody out there is listning to me because we are in a very sad state as well as the rest of this nation,and furter more I have been a resident of this state for 47 years and I have never seen a sad state as i see now.Chane is the only thing that will save us,is to stop this goverment in this state we have now.
By RM25483
December 1, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Therefore, Fair Tax would be an INCREASE in your taxes by approximately 12%. Put another way, you currently pay about $117.65 for something that costs $100.00 by paying Federal Income Tax to the IRS. With Fair Tax, you would pay $130.00 for something that costs $100.00. Keep in mind that this will be in addition to the state sales tax that you already pay. So an item costing $100.00 will now cost $100 + 7% state tax plus 30% fair tax = $137.00.
By John F
December 1, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
To Mike F-
No, I am very well versed in economics. The sad fact is that Republicans live in the state of denial instead of Ohio. Taft and the Republicans have controlled all 3 branches of state government for more than ten years before Strickland came into power. Ten years- and they didn’t get one DAMN thing done. They raided the rainy day fund, spent the tobacco settlement money, and set tax policy. The only ones who ignore those facts are Republicans. Pull your head out of your Taft…
By RM25483
December 1, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Fair Tax: Tax-inclusive: 23% = Tax-exclusive: 30% This percentage amounts to $23 of every $100 spent, or, put another way, $23 of taxes on $77 spent. That amounts to 30% traditional state sales tax. At the moment you pay $0 in federal sales tax, but you pay ~15% tax-inclusive federal tax on your payroll, which amounts to 17.65% federal sales tax (This will, obviously, be different depending on which tax bracket you are in; I leave the final numbers as an exercise for the taxpayer. )
By tim.f
December 1, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Hello people the people we have working for us in the state are not only takeing advantage of the crisis w are in they are apart of it.They have sucked this state to the point of no return and thats the sad truth of it all.thay knew along time ago we were heading this way and the only thing they did was line thier own pockets and the hell with the rest of us.They blamed it on welfare,they blamed it on social security,and hell and come high water they will never balme themselves.I hate to addmitt
By Patty
December 1, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Since people quit smoking or buying cigarettes in Ohio we loss a lot of sales tax, so I would not suggest increasing sales on liquor at this time. People would quit drinking, buy in other states, or make their own. Taxing citizens right now is not smart. We are all having to cut back that is what the government needs to do. Our government is bloated. How many counties in Ohio are looking at a shortfall?
By Mary
December 1, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Cut unnecessary cell phones; cut cars for state employees; cut electrical usage (turn off flood lights and any ground and interior lights not needed for safety, turn off computers at night, unplug appliances, ban electric coffee pots). Cut conferences and out-of-state travel and PR things like ribbon cuttings and political dinners. Cut all unnecessary publications and paperwork (computerize). Cut the ban on smoking, taxes to businesses, and cut dead weight upper level personnel.
By Chris
December 1, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Steve, then your bar has something else to offer. The bars at the Greene abide by the law because they have other things to offer. If you look at the bars that do not abide by the ban it’s because of the “trash” they attract. Now that’s not an attack on everyone in there, but a general assumption of the bars population. It’s called profiling, ladies and gentlemen…not racist or any other derogatory term you wanna use.
By RM25483
December 1, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
One point was that of state-paid salaries. If we are talking finances only here, it takes a single $75k IT professional to replace at least a dozen or so $35k desk workers. State-run bureaus and departments costing too much? How about more touch-screens, 1 or 2 workers at each counter instead of 6, and a centralized database? It worked for the airlines. I’ll pledge 20 hours of my time to help design and build these systems if it will help Ohio as a whole. Any takers?
By Patty
December 1, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
How about the public colleges. Our government should evaluate the salaries and bonuses at the public universities. OSU’s President is the highest paid with a salary of $1,346,225 which includes a $310,000 bonus. And we wonder why tuition has become so high at public universities. So much greed on the taxpayers dime. Raising taxes on us middle class is not the answer that is for sure! Raise the sales tax will hurt the middle class too unless they do away with the income tax.
By Barry
December 1, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
we could raise taxes and build a train, that would fix everything. Ohio does not have the highest tax rate in the country (yet), we are slacking. just wait, after 20 jan 09 things will be fine and all our problems will be solved by the magic man.
actually the guy who suggested a flat sales tax or a “fair tax” might be onto something
By steve
December 1, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
My bar abides by the smoking ban, that aside bloated admins is another good area to look at. Social programs could be trimmed as well. As it was when I was in the Military anytime you had a budget you had to spend the money, if you didn’t then your dep’t. lost money, this whole concept is wrong, spend what you need. Schools need to trim the fat too…executive pricipals.. what they heck do they do? In Stricklands’ defense he inherited this fiasco, let us hope he listens to the people.
By Barry
December 1, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
how about we cut back on government spending? maybe turn off some lights in government buildings and turn down the heat a little bit? maybe turn off a couple of the elevators? I really liked the idea about cutting back on the money we spend on illegal aliens
By Dan
December 1, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Move !
By Fair and Square
December 1, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Fairtax. It makes more sense now than ever.
By HuberTucky
December 1, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
I’d start where all companies NEED to start near the top with these overblown executive salries….like the administrative assistant who pulls down $147,000 a year. Absurd and wasteful. Just like the schools need to axe about 50% of their useless administrators and focus on teaching the fundemantals. Our country is losing the race in education…we’re way back in the pack and we spend the most…on the dead weight do nothing non-contributing minions of suit-and-tie wearing morons.
By Chris
December 1, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Also, the idiots who even try to blame this on the smoking ban are exactly that…IDIOTS! In case you haven’t been out lately, most bars are not abiding by the ban anyways.
By Ashley
December 1, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
We are well on our way to becoming the next Michigan. What a scary thought. Instead of asking for a handout, Ohio needs to CUT BACK. Let’s really examine all of the social programs that we are spending so much money on and see where we can trim back. It seems as though when there isn’t enough money, the solution from politicians is always to try to get more instead of trying to lower costs. We are all expected to live on less, so should the government.
By cam
December 1, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
get rid of it all
By Jack
December 1, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Absolutely amazing how some of you continue to only blame Bush for Ohio struggles when we have and have had an Ohio governer for a few years. Please name me all the jobs that Strickland has brought to Ohio verse the number of jobs that have left during his years in office. Again, I understand why people voted for a change, but with the Governer, you made a very very bad call. Admit it and lets hope for better in two years. Strickland has done NOTHING.