Cutting state taxes is unlikely to affect residents’ decisions to stay in or leave Ohio, but will cost the state resources it needs to create the highly-educated workforce, quality infrastructure, and safe communities that form the building blocks of a strong economy. That is the conclusion of an August 2011
The new state budget calls for a massive sell-off of Ohio public assets worth billions of dollars. Among the properties that may be privatized are the Ohio Turnpike, six prisons and the liquor distribution business. The budget also authorizes local and exempted village school districts to contract out their bus
As of July 2011, Ohio has less than two months to take steps to modernize its unemployment compensation system, or it will forfeit $176.3 million in federal funds. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $7 billion for states that take steps to bring their unemployment compensation systems into
$7 Billion in Annual Tax Breaks Will Continue Without Review New Tax Break Rushed Through, Worth Up to $100 Million Per Biennium The Conference Committee working on Ohio’s biennial state budget stripped language included in the Senate’s version from the bill that would have created a new committee to review
Ohio used to be known for making and building things. Now state government seems to be more interested in selling them. The state House and Senate have passed versions of the budget that contemplate massive privatization of public assets. They could range from the Ohio Turnpike and Ohio Lottery to
Ohio tax breaks may be reviewed, but stronger action is needed The Ohio Senate has taken a long-needed step in approving the creation of a committee to review state tax breaks on a regular basis and examine new tax-break proposals before bills are passed containing them. The conference committee on
In 2010, Ohio’s estate tax produced $230.8 million for local governments, in addition to the $55 million that went to the state’s General Revenue Fund. It provides an important source of revenue not only to affluent communities but to places ranging from Elyria to Springfield and Parma to Findlay. Fewer
Printable Press Release (PDF) Printable Fact Sheet (PDF) Thousands of Ohio workers who currently must be paid the state’s minimum wage would no longer be protected under a budget bill working its way through the state Senate (House Bill 153). The bill would expand the categories of workers exempted from
Amid slashed school funding, Medicaid changes, drilling in state parks, reductions to libraries and local governments, and cutbacks ranging from child care subsidies to adult basic literacy, it’s easy to overlook one of the most far-reaching proposals in the budget approved by the Ohio House this month. Language in the
Throughout most of the twentieth century, Ohio was known as a place with good jobs and strong communities. A central location, natural resources, first-rate transportation assets and good infrastructure supported a growing economy and population. Full Report
We have testified previously in opposition to another bill, House Bill 98, which is similar to House Bill 134 in that it would reduce income-tax rates on unearned income. We believe many of the same arguments apply to HB 134. The capital-gains tax cut will overwhelmingly flow to a small
That 2005 overhaul of Ohio’s tax code? It isn’t working
On Friday, Akron residents and others from Northeast Ohio will have a chance to tell a special committee of the Ohio House of Representatives what they think about the state tax system. If there is one message the committee should hear, it’s this: The big overhaul of the tax system