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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2011 > March > 15 > Entry
Governor unveils plan to plug $8 billion budget hole
Gov. John Kasich Tuesday unveiled a proposed $55.5 billion, two-year general fund budget that he says closes an $8 billion shortfall through cuts, government restructuring and other measures but without tax hikes.
*Support for local governments
Kasich’s budget calls for cutting support for local government by about a third from funding in the current two-year budget.
The current budget provides about $1.3 billion, while the proposed budget would provide about $865 million over two years.
The LGF is Dayton’s second largest source of income behind income tax. Both Dayton and Montgomery County received about $13 million in LGF money in 2010.
Dayton City Manager Tim Riordan has called a 3:30 p.m. press conference to discuss the impact of the cuts, which could include an income tax increase proposal put before voters in November.
*K-12 schools and higher education
Taxpayers and students at state colleges and universities will likely see more tax requests and higher tuition over the next two years as education spending from kindergarten to college will see cuts, although the reductions are not as deep as some feared.
Kasich said education spending will rise slightly over the next two years, but when federal stimulus dollars the state used to maintain relatively flat funding the past two years is included both K-12 and higher education will see a double digit cut.
Local schools will see an 11.5 percent reduction next fiscal year and 4.9 percent in 2013; in total K-12 spending will fall from $11.5 billion in 2011 to $9.7 billion in 2013.
Colleges and universities will see a slightly smaller reduction losing 10.5 percent of its funding in 2012. Higher education spending will see a slight bump in 2013, but overall spending will drop from $2.5 billion in 2011 to $2.3 billion in 2013.
For K-12 education, school choice and incentives to share services are two of the few programs to receive a funding boost, while early learning, gifted education, and the reimbursement for the loss of tangible property tax are all reduced.
State college students will have reduced access to some state grants for tuition, but without federal stimulus dollars the state subsidy for instruction, the largest portion of funding provided by the state to schools, will fall by $245 million, or 13 percent. The budget retains the 3.5 percent cap on tuition hikes that has been in place the last two years.
*Medicaid
Medicaid has become known as a budgetary Pac-Man, consuming 30 percent of all state government spending and threatening to crowd out other priorities.
Gov. John Kasich’s budget doesn’t push the “game over” button on the Medicaid program’s growth; the state’s total Medicaid spending would grow 5.5 percent in fiscal 2012 to $18.8 billion, according to Kasich’s budget.
But Medicaid spokesman Eric Poklar claims the budget overall would achieve $1.44 billion in savings and cuts against Medicaid’s current trend lines.
The budget would:
• create significant new growth opportunities for CareSource, Ohio’s largest Medicaid managed care provider;
• restructure payments for hospital and nursing home care to Medicaid enrollees
• rebalance long-term care by shifting more care away from nursing homes and into home and community-based settings.
*The Arts
The Dayton area’s major nonprofit arts organizations can cope with a nearly 20 percent cut to Ohio Arts Council funding under Gov. John Kasich’s new two-year budget, but smaller groups could be facing job and programming cuts, according to area arts officials.
Kasich’s budget proposal announced Tuesday calls for $5.3 million in state funding to OAC for fiscal year 2012, which is a 19.5 percent decrease from $6.5 million in fiscal year 2011.
“We are pleased that the governor has seen the value of the arts in Ohio and that funding to the Ohio Arts Council, albeit at 80 percent of the current level, will continue,” said Ken Neufeld, president and chief executive of the Victoria Theatre Association and the Arts Center Foundation. The association received a $87,595 operating support grant from OAC for fiscal 2011.
Neufeld had feared the OAC budget would be “zeroed,” he said.
Proposals are pending in several states to eliminate their arts councils, said Paul Helfrich, president of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra received $48,083 in OAC grants for fiscal 2011.
“Over the years, Ohio Arts Council funding has essentially served as an economic development tool in our communities,” supporting job creation and downtown revitalization efforts, said Julie S. Henahan, OAC executive director.
The Dayton Art Institute doesn’t anticipate the need to cut programs because it has diverse revenue sources and also factored reduced arts funding into its current budget, said Janice Driesbach, the museum’s director and chief executive.
“However, reduced funding does impact our vibrancy,” Driesbach said. DAI received a $46,827 operating support grant from the arts council for fiscal 2011.
The 20 percent cut will have a greater impact on organizations with smaller budgets, such as Cityfolk, which received two operating support grants totalling $21,988 for fiscal 2011.
Cityfolk may have to look at cutting staff, programming or concerts because of both OAC and National Endowment for the Arts funding cuts, said Kathleen Alter, executive director.
“I think we are going to see nonprofits that have to get leaner and it’s very unfortunate, because the last thing we need is any more jobs to go away right now,” Alter said.
Kasich’s budget didn’t call for any changes to the Ohio Film Office, which offers film tax credits to encourage motion picture production in Ohio. In the last two years, production companies have spent $78.3 million making movies, television programs or commercials in Ohio, according to state officials.
The new budget includes film tax credits of $10 million each in fiscal 2012 and 2013, said Amir Eylon, director of Ohio’s Division of Tourism, which houses the state’s film office. “That means that the motion picture tax credit continues and we are going to be able to compete for additional productions,” Eylon said.
*Prisons
His proposal also calls for selling five prisons to private operators to raise $200 million and for closing four prison camps.
“Together we will embrace a new direction and together we will take a better, higher path that lifts the hopes and opportunities of every Ohioan from every walk of life and from every corner of our great state,” Kasich said in a press release.
The budget calls for general fund spending of $26.9 billion the first year, a 5.1 percent increase from the current year, and for $28.6 billion the second year, a 6.3 percent increase.
The Department of Jobs and Family Services, which includes Medicaid, gets the biggest chunk, $12.9 billion the first year and $14.3 billion the second. The largest single item is Medicaid, $11.8 billion the first year and $13.2 billion, the second.
The budget is for the two-year period, starting July 1, 2011. The Ohio House first will consider the budget and after approving it send it to the Senate for consideration.
Dayton Daily News reporters Chris Magan, Ben Sutherly, Dave Larsen, Jeremy Kelly, Lucas Sullivan and Margo Kissell contributed to this post. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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By Perspective
March 18, 2011 10:40 AM | Link to this
Had any of you unionites read the Bill you might know that you will still be able to collectively bargain for wages and work conditions.Quit whining already.
By tym
March 18, 2011 3:37 AM | Link to this
kasich and his buddies at lehman brothers caused this mess then were the first in line to get a bail-out of tax payer money.They then cryed when the government wanted to limit their bonus saying they had contracts that they had to honor or they would lose the best workers.This is fine for Kasich but not the teachers?I will take teachers and firemen anyday over bankers and thieves like Kasich.
By Perspective
March 16, 2011 3:07 PM | Link to this
It’s so nice to see all the haters on the left show up here. Joanie you old liberal,where you been hiding. most of what I see posted from the left is hate speech.They attack people’s character whom they don’t even know,make false accusations,portray falsehoods as fact.Sad
By Paul
March 16, 2011 2:18 PM | Link to this
Kasich is doing what he was elected to do. He’s protecting Taxpayers. The wimpy, limpy, whiney, needy public employees will never understand that, though. Just think, these public employees probably aren’t as educated or qualified as they make themselves out to be. The federal gov’t.- Dept. of Justice—will just lower the grade… even to an F… to get minorities into some of these public sector jobs. Fact.
By Joanie
March 16, 2011 1:37 PM | Link to this
K-Sick must be calling this “The Jobs Budget” because it will cause Ohio to lose jobs.
By Leslie
March 16, 2011 12:22 PM | Link to this
Hey Paul, Feeling is mutual Ohio is deeply ashamed of you. If you are a highly skilled technical person than you make some pretty impressive money working for the private sector or even in the public sector. You are free to give more money to the state, there are no rules to stop you. You are also free to be forced to pay union dues, because Kasich did not even attempt to change that. No, he simply make the playing field level. Public employees are complaining about being at the bargaining table, well we the taxpayers aren’t there while you are bargaining to take more of our money. so Paul don’t let the state hit you on the rear as you leave and than you for leaving.
By Maureen
March 16, 2011 12:12 PM | Link to this
The cuts should start with the Gov. He wants to live in his own residence. That means paying for security at his private residence. I believe I read, that would detail 30 rotating state highway patrol. What about renovations at his residence? What will the cost be to taxpayers? Keep in mind, the Gov. mansion will continue have a security, groundkeepers, maintenance and part time housekeepers. Shouldn’t Gov. Kasich practice what he is preaching?
By Dennis
March 16, 2011 8:45 AM | Link to this
I am also a technical person (Enginner) who became fully disabled in 2010. I could not agree with Kasich more. We desperately need these budget cuts. We also need SB5 and what it proposses. For too long the unions have run not only this country, but also good companies. The unions are the one’s who caused auto companies to close down causing the employee’s too lose their jobs. Trust me when I say if SB5 goes through, the good teachers will remain, and the bad one’s will be the one’s leaving and/or getting fired once and for all. Unions were needed back in the 1920’s to the mid 1940’s. However, after that they became very corrupt linning their pockets with the members dues, and not doing anything more the what a good arbrutrator could do without getting paid by the employee’s of a company. I am very proud of Ohio for voting Kasich into office. We need a strong religious man like him to put this state back into shape. He has also stated that he is going to do it without raising taxes. Cities of Ohio will put on November’s ballot tax hikes, however we voters will also vote them down. It’s about time people of Ohio figured out that it is not government who creates jobs unless it is strictly infrastructure jobs. Ohio, keep the spending canidates out of office.
By Perspective
March 16, 2011 7:28 AM | Link to this
@paul “Im a highly skilled technical person and I cannot get out of Ohio fast enough.” See Ya!
By paul
March 16, 2011 6:48 AM | Link to this
I heard kasich say he wants to run Ohio like a business, bush said that too and we all know how that worked out. This is just intellectually dishonest and the devil is in the details. Were in a fragile recovery, now is not the time to cut jobs. I hope all of you that support this are happy as it will cause nothing but more unemployment, its going to cause good teachers to leave the profession. None of what he has proposed is a good thing for the state or our communities. This right wing extremist agenda is so transparent its sad that anyone would support it. Never in my lifetime would I have believed that the people of the state of Ohio would be dumb enough to put the very kind of people that has our nation and state in the shape its in back in power to do more of the same. Ohio, Im so ashamed of you. Im a highly skilled technical person and I cannot get out of Ohio fast enough. This state is just like a dead grape on the vine because of people like kasich and the dumbed down low IQ people that would support him. This is why Ohio is in the shape its in, its why the nation is in the shape its in and I dont see it getting any better anytime soon as long as we continue to allow multi-national corporations to fund people like kasich and continue to devalue those of us that actually work and PAY TAXES for a living. Again, Im so ashamed of you Ohio. Im also so ashamed of anyone that would vote for or support shannon jones, a silver spoon fed, spoilt rich brat that proposed sb5. Again, people you had better wake up and wake up fast. kasich isnt the answer, hes been the problem all along, him and people like him.
By Amazed
March 16, 2011 6:19 AM | Link to this
Welfare and entitlement programs must be cut drastically first. They are the biggest drain on our state. Its very simple, the people that dont contribute to our society cost the rest of us the most. We have the richest poor people in the world and think they deserve all the freebies. Enough is enough start cutting the free loaders and provide for those paying the bills.
By xxx
March 16, 2011 12:54 AM | Link to this
Hmmm. Have not gotten any increase in pay in three years,take 5 unpaid days a year,insurance has increased.Food/gas has increased.Now my kid’s financial aid will decrease and tuition will go up. Oh but wait… a (private corporation)Caresource is going to be able to expand. He can sell prisons to his buddies and bill the hell out of the state for housing it’s prisoners.Anybody see a pattern here?All on the backs of Joe worker.Of course I forgot,it will make Ohio all the better.We’ll see
By mike g
March 15, 2011 11:35 PM | Link to this
The Teachers union is too big. When we as tax payer have to pay a teacher with 35 years service 82% of there wages plus cost of living untill thay die ! Guess what this does to Property taxes!!!!! Thanks! Mr. K Make teachers fund there own 401 k plan. This is what is happening with private industry !! They b***h at there pay. Oh but they get almost all summer off, hoildays, weekends and you can not get rid of the bad teachers because they are protected buy the union. Let,s let the young new kids coming out of college bring new ideas into the system at a reduced wage. Lets go to merit pay and KO the sorry teachers out the door ! PS If you are a good teacher and there are many good teachers I do not mean YOU ! We do love you! You are in the system you know what I mean !
By bo peep
March 15, 2011 9:21 PM | Link to this
“State college students will have reduced access to some state grants for tuition…” Kasich must be high. Most of the state grant programs are already gone. Strickland took care of that. Two years ago all state grants were cut to proprietary schools, community colleges and other schools based on their tuition rate and the max annual Pell grant. Our faux leader and his speakers ane showing their stupidity. And you voted for him Lordy!
By jh
March 15, 2011 9:21 PM | Link to this
it’s sad no one’s looking at real reason he got voted governer is because of Pres. Obama ,Gov. Taft put ohio in a big mess just like bush did the country. back in Nov. after elections ohio unemployment drop for the 7 or 8 straight month state was slowing in a up swing everyone wants to complain how bad it is when it wasn’t people spending money companies hiring everyone let a Wall Street hustler come in an play on your hate for Obama now u going to pay the price because u got played. Look at the real news the country is growing back no thanks to the Repubs.
By Mary
March 15, 2011 9:12 PM | Link to this
@Patrick-Guess you are wrong about teachers. The teachers in our district have already accepted a reduction in pay and no increase for the next 3 years including no step increases so that young teachers will not be laid off. Despite the propaganda to the contrary most teacher unions are quite willing to cooperate during these hard economic times. They have gone without raises while paying more for health care.
By Amazing
March 15, 2011 8:57 PM | Link to this
@DP No one has a problem with the rich keeping their money but their tax rate should be higher due to a higher amount of discretionary income. There are certain things that all people must pay for (shelter, clothing, utilities, food ect…) Once those are subtracted from income you have discretionary income. It is at that point that tax burden is able to be fairly evaluated. A flat rate favors the wealthy and it is why graduated taxes are the only thing that makes sense. Plus the state has numerous regressive taxes (sales, excise) that help to counter some of the imbalance in property and income taxes. This is phase one-next Kasich will eliminate the income tax which is graduated meaning those who benefit the most are the wealthy with the cost to be covered by flat rates at the local level.
By Amazing
March 15, 2011 8:31 PM | Link to this
Kasich has basically shifted the deficit from the state to local governments and he still has supporters. This is not reform minded it is passing the buck onto local governments and forcing local citizens to foot the bill if they want to keep services. Unlike with the state structure of taxes, the rich benefit because keeping services can’t come from a graduated bracket like at higher levels of government. Thanks!
By D.P.
March 15, 2011 8:31 PM | Link to this
@ Becky….So Republicans are the ones with class warfare huh? How about those Dems constantly stating how unfair it is the rich get to keep their money. I guess you don’t count that. By the way, your precious Democrat leaders were the ones who initiated the loan programs that lead to our demise (Clinton started and Bush continued it). Oh and let us not forget Barney Fwank was in charge of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac with all of their bad loans (he is a democrat).
By Patrick
March 15, 2011 7:55 PM | Link to this
Good, the drama is over and the cuts can begin so everyone knows what they must cut at the local and school levels. This has been advertised since last fall and the lists have already been made. Of course, the schools will ask for higher levies, but that avenue is a dead end in this economy. As school union only allow firing by seniority and not by quality, we’ll lose about 30 in our district (of over 400)but will still have the deadwood, who make the most money. If all the staff would agree to a pay cut, they could all stay, but remember, they’re union and it’s survival of the fittest (oldest). Suggest the younger ones who are cut go out of state where things are much better than they are in these parts, but good luck selling your home!
By Get Real
March 15, 2011 7:53 PM | Link to this
Everyone wants to complain about Johnny, I have one question to ask you. What did Teddy do so great in his 4 years he was in charge? Silence, yeah I thought so, we are in tough times and the old fashioned way of life is not an option.
By republican't
March 15, 2011 7:27 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? No new taxes huh? Ok Kasich your budget doesn’t allow for new taxes just like you promised, but did you promise that cities would not raise taxes because of your budget cuts? Dayton immediately proposes a tax increase. Many city employee’s are going to lose their jobs all across Ohio because the people will more than likely vote down a tax increase, forcing layoffs due to lack of money. Kasich you AREN’T BRINGING JOBS to this great state. You’re forcing people out. Gov Kasich how about you take a pay cut? Or work for virtually nothing like Governor Strickland. I feel bad for the people of Ohio, and FYI to all I am a Republican.
By John
March 15, 2011 7:11 PM | Link to this
Kasich didn’t make any hard choices or solve anything for Ohio. He simply shifted the burden to local government. AND all you idiots that think he is a genius will be whining when your local govt cuts services!
By pdiddy
March 15, 2011 7:10 PM | Link to this
wow,governor wont live in the governor house. lets spend 70,000 plus to make sure his own house’s security is up to standards. lets sell the governors house. what about local governments , like villages, townships that do not have a sales tax and cant inplement a tax. The public wont like the cuts that are coming in services..
By karon
March 15, 2011 6:46 PM | Link to this
Have you people ever heard of corporate welfare? Most companies ask the government for it.
By death row inmate
March 15, 2011 6:35 PM | Link to this
sounds good to me. HEIL KASICK!!
By Jessi
March 15, 2011 6:01 PM | Link to this
Good plan. This is why he got elected. I would prefer deeper cuts for entitlements but I think these will come in time.
By This is BS
March 15, 2011 5:46 PM | Link to this
Where are the tax cuts for the politicians?? When do they start paying for their health care? Our great Governor RAISED the pay of his cabinet - why aren’t you anti-union whiners complaining about that? Like this idiot governor, you are a bunch of hypocrites.
By Exxon
March 15, 2011 5:46 PM | Link to this
Hey BP do all of us a favor, if you do NOT LIKE Ohio get the hell out of here, that way we will not have to waste space on our screens with your ignorant blogs, while you sit there eating a bag of doritos and drinking a 2-litre of diet soda so your head doesn’t get as fat as your hiney!
By REPUG Hater
March 15, 2011 5:33 PM | Link to this
k-Dumb must be able to walk on water with most RADICALS Tea baggin all over this loser, K-Dumb is nothing but a crook who stole pensions from Ohio workers, nows he’s back to sell what ohio has left, when you all get what you have asked for. youll be the first ones crying, funny the ones calling everyone lazy, are the ones usually sitting on their butts, bloging everyday about how K-dumb farts gold! Suck on him some more, the ones that are going to buy the prisons are the one who contributed to his campaign, but i guess thats acceptable also, secondly aren’t we in this position because of Busch, oh yea you all probably thought he was a great leader also, what losers!
By Bob
March 15, 2011 5:28 PM | Link to this
Thank God for a balanced budget. JK got elected to do just this, and he did it. Congrats, Ohio……even if most of you idiots can’t appreciate it. Now, if Obama could do the same.
By True Story
March 15, 2011 5:18 PM | Link to this
No more $50k part time instructor jobs at Ohio State, like Kasich had. Kasich what a hypocrite.
By Janice
March 15, 2011 5:13 PM | Link to this
@ BP. You don’t always need a loan to start a business, sometimes working very hard is the key. Cutting grass, handyman services, painting, etc., all ways to earn an income. My son lost his job about a year ago. He began calling everyone he knew to see if they needed any sort of work done around their home or business. He works full-time doing that today and has someone helping 10 - 20 hours per week. He didn’t get a loan, just used what tools he had and bought used ones on craigslist as he needed them and could pay for them. There are no excuses, just laziness.
By Tucker
March 15, 2011 5:10 PM | Link to this
To don’t even think about it: Come to Fairborn Ohio The City of Fairborn wants 9.9 mill increase and the schools also want a 9.9 mill increase to pay for Kasick’s cuts. Could cost me 1500.00 more a year to live here. This is NOT ACCEPTABLE the city needs to do with less and so do our schools who said they would not ask for anymore increases for 5 years in 2007, now they want more for us to pay higher wages and higher health care costs. If some cuts were made like employees pay health care costs 75% and pay more of there own retirement
By Becky
March 15, 2011 5:08 PM | Link to this
Republicans try to get middle class and poor people to turn on each other. They want public employees blamed, poor people blamed, anyone except their rich buddies and bankers. As long as you’re against other people just trying to make it you’re ignoring the ones who really caused the problems.
By Brian
March 15, 2011 4:59 PM | Link to this
Actually, the local government fund revenue that the governor is holding back isn’t cutting anything. He’s simply holding onto the sales taxes, income taxes, and other fees and taxes that we pay to the state and is doing nothing with it — he’s simply balancing his books with it.
By jeff
March 15, 2011 4:49 PM | Link to this
thank god for a politician who isn’t bowing to the polls. This is shocking to people because he is doing what he promised in the campaign. Cuts suck. There is no way around it. But as someone said earlier both parties have been kicking this can down the street for years. At some point the bills have to get paid. Mr Obama is doing the same thing by kicking the can. AT some point someone needs to have an honest discussion with Americans about paying the bills. I don’t want my kids paying the bills of my generation.
By Don't even think about it
March 15, 2011 4:46 PM | Link to this
Any increase in property taxes or income tax is unacceptable. Local government must make do with less. Shrink government.
By Laura
March 15, 2011 4:44 PM | Link to this
I agree with Want Fewer Taxes it’s not a political party problem it was all parties buying votes. I don’t need Government for anything other than basic services. It’s the people who don’t want to work who need big Government ! They need to get off thir butts !
By Want Fewer Services and Taxes
March 15, 2011 4:26 PM | Link to this
I hope everyone realizes we are in this mess because of politicians in BOTH parties. They all kicked this can down the road for the last 20 years…raising taxes to keep things going or using federal “stimulus” dollars to balance the budget. So now we have to take a meat axe to the budget and everyone affected is going to complain. I am ready to accept FEWER services on the local level to make this work…but I won’t accept paying more taxes!!! I’m still amazed the previous governor ran on a campaign of fixing school funding…but he did NOTHING about it for 4 years. Hopefully that’s another issue that will FINALLY be addressed…
By bub
March 15, 2011 4:25 PM | Link to this
@ Paul - you almost make a valid point. Yes, some do get through college in 3 years, but that is a reflection of having taken Advanced Placement courses in High School, AND taking classes year-round while in college. The General Education curriculum is really at a bare minimum, and is the only Liberal Arts aspect of college that applies to everyone. As much as I disliked taking the Gen. Ed’s, I found value in most of them. If you take away Gen. Ed’s, then you will also invalidate the Praxis exams, GRE, and other professional skills tests that not only test field-specific content, but also general knowledge. College book scam - yes, but how can you blame that on a political ideology? That’s just simple GREED and taking advantage.
By John
March 15, 2011 4:20 PM | Link to this
I’m surprised Kasich didn’t throw in selling the state parks, too. And I don’t see any sacrifices from those with higher incomes in this budget. When a governor says “we all will need to sacrifice”, it should be ALL. To those of you who think there are too many public employees: I can’t wait to see who’s crying first when they can’t get a service fast enough.
By Marie
March 15, 2011 4:18 PM | Link to this
I find privatized prisons a scary proposition after seeing the story where juvenile offenders of minor offenses in PA were sentenced to a private juvenile facility by a judge who got kickbacks from said facility for sending them “customers” http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/us/13judge.html
By BP
March 15, 2011 4:12 PM | Link to this
Well a three year college model could work if general education courses were done away with. They more are less are just a review of what the students should’ve already learned in high school anyway, and take up a huge amount of class time in the first two years. But I don’t know how this would work as far as a school being able to stay accredited.
By Paul
March 15, 2011 4:09 PM | Link to this
bub: I know Damned Well what I’m talking about, especially after putting 3 kids through college. (There ARE kids that get through college in 3 years). My Point was that there’s no motivation on the college’s part to get these kids through in 3 years, BUT THAT CAN - AND SHOULD— CHANGE. Liberals running the colleges have made college a business, just look at the college book scam! These liberals running the colleges and universities want our kids to stay there as Long as Possible. Its not about eduation anymore.
By BP
March 15, 2011 4:08 PM | Link to this
“If you people want jobs, go out and create them yourself!” Nice idea except have you tried getting a bank loan lately? Unless you already have a lot of money stashed away, good luck starting your own business.
By Bob
March 15, 2011 4:04 PM | Link to this
I’ll bet 75% of you wack jobs commenting don’t vote and probably don’t pay any taxes. Let us grown ups handle things and you can all go back to playing video games.
By Janice
March 15, 2011 4:03 PM | Link to this
If you people want jobs, go out and create them yourself! Why sit on your behind waiting around for the government to do it for you?
By grambley
March 15, 2011 4:02 PM | Link to this
Can someone explain to me how selling 5 prisons for $200 million when each one of these sites cost over $200 million to develop in the first place? What am I missing?
By BP
March 15, 2011 4:02 PM | Link to this
“The largest single item is Medicaid, $11.8 billion the first year and $13.2 billion, the second.” That says it all. As long as Medicaid still exists, the budget shortfalls will continue.
By Tom
March 15, 2011 4:01 PM | Link to this
Gov’t waste is rampant. LOOK AROUND LOCALLY! The State is doing their job by getting State spending under control. There is another choice for the locals besides raising taxes. CUT SPENDING! Montgomery Co and Dayton throw money to their “friends” like you wouldn’t believe. Local budgets could probably be balanced if they cut staffs to what they needed instead of hiding long time political friends, personal friends, and each other’s family members. The economy has sunk people. Private businesses that have survived have done so by cutting costs. Unemployment is up, gov’t tax revenues are down. How in the he!! do you expect them to keep spending at levels when revenues were higher? More taxes are not always the answer.
By Terry
March 15, 2011 4:00 PM | Link to this
Good question why would a young person with an education and a family want to stay in Ohio right now. NONE, when you can go to States like Tennessee where property taxes are lower, there are no local income taxes the weather is better, were gone !!! Oh also there are jobs in the south that used to be here! Until the taxes and union drove them south The south will rise again !!!
By chuckles
March 15, 2011 3:59 PM | Link to this
HEIL KASICK
By A. Star
March 15, 2011 3:58 PM | Link to this
Kasich has no shame, he’ll get his share of the taxpayer dollars. You can’t fix stupid, but they can be voted out. Oops, it may be too late.
By Frank
March 15, 2011 3:56 PM | Link to this
What about the 124 parole officer jobs being cut?
By GRE
March 15, 2011 3:53 PM | Link to this
In an environment where governments at all levels are bringing in less revenue due to the poor state of the economy, you have two choices—raise taxes to generate more revenue or cut costs (i.e. reduce services). Take your pick, you can have one or the other. In this environment, everyone has to suffer. You can’t say “take the money from somone else, but leave me alone.” It is time for everyone to pay the piper or to learn to do with less!
By Dump K-Sick
March 15, 2011 3:52 PM | Link to this
K-Sick isn’t even from Ohio; he’s from Pittsburgh. Let’s send him back where he came from. K-Sick and his cronies took down the US economy with all their thieving and incompetence at Lehman Brothers. Now he’s got Ohio in his crosshairs too. Wake up Ohio. Snap out of it. Dump this turkey while there may still be time.
By Laura
March 15, 2011 3:52 PM | Link to this
To BP Perhaps the City manager of Fairborn should ask DMHA to give her some more money instead of the the 1 million dollar payment for moving Dayton’s Problems to Fairborn and pay your wages !
By sam
March 15, 2011 3:42 PM | Link to this
Please explain to me how a 5.1% increase in spending in the first year and a 6.3% increase in spending in the second year equate to all the “cuts”. Sorry I just don,t get it.
By precious
March 15, 2011 3:41 PM | Link to this
WHERE’S THE JOBS??? Jobs, Governor, Jobs, more tax base. This man knows nothing about the round side of governing … his constituent base just shrank again
By hakko
March 15, 2011 3:41 PM | Link to this
One question: Are these “cuts” actual reductions below current levels or reductions in the requested increases? If it is not less than current levels then there are actually no “cuts” being made.
By BP
March 15, 2011 3:35 PM | Link to this
If you’re younger and work, what exactly will be the reason to live in Ohio. This state is going to become a hive of bums getting their handouts, and retirees. And to the person complaing about Fairborn taxes, I’m not sure about some of the tax levies they wanted to pass, but the police need more money beacause of all the wonderful individuals who have moved to Fairborn in the past few years from Dayton after Dayton shut down and demolished a lot of their slummier areas. Let’s just say a lot of troubled individuals are now taking up a lot of the cops time in Fairborn.
By judi
March 15, 2011 3:33 PM | Link to this
This poor excuse for a governor now has an approval rating of 35 percent. He’s just like Walker in WI, and the governors of PA and MI. This all going to blow up in the GOPs (and KOCHs) face soon.
By Libertarian
March 15, 2011 3:32 PM | Link to this
We all want government cut. Kasich cuts government. So why are people complaining??
By Ohio HAD it all (Soon to be sold for scrap)
March 15, 2011 3:30 PM | Link to this
JOhio is right. The short term short sighted one time score of privatization is a monumental blunder. Ask the City of Chicago how well privatizing the parking meters has gone. The city is losing a fortune in the long run and the company that took control has jacked up rates considerably. I wonder if Kasich gets kickbacks on his privatization efforts. Probably not right up front but in campaign cash.
By bub
March 15, 2011 3:28 PM | Link to this
@ Paul - obviously, you spent no time looking at the curriculum. Unless the total credit requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree change, 3 years is nearly impossible. Some fields already require 5. @ “Get over it” - very mature of you to bless us with your prose. So many people comment here about education, teacher quality, finance, economics—and have NO CLUE what they are talking about. You get your little talking points from listening to Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh and you think you understand? YOU, yeah, YOU are the one that needs a 4-year education to remedy some of the brain washing to which you’ve so willingly submitted yourselves. Personally attacking for no solid reason—another narrow-minded tactic. So, I will stoop to a low for a moment, and speak in language that’s easy for you to understand - BITE ME!
By Moving.
March 15, 2011 3:27 PM | Link to this
I sure hope my house doesn’t catch fire or someone tries to break into my house, because it will take forever for someone to come help me. The lack of funds coming into Dayton and every other community is going to force cities to get rid of essential people like firefighers, police officers, water and sanitation workers (basiclally any public employee. Cities won’t have enough money to pay for them. Thank you Kasich. I think I’ll move to another state.
By nullgary
March 15, 2011 3:24 PM | Link to this
all the govenors doing making his books look good passing the buck local goverments haft to make up the difference guess who will pay for it vote no on all tax leveys send it back to the gov.
By Johio
March 15, 2011 3:24 PM | Link to this
Kasich wants to sell prisons to close the budget gap. He has also proposed selling the state office building and leasing the Ohio Turnpike. Makes you wonder what he’ll want to sell next year. Maybe the Ohio River. No, wait - that belongs to Ky. Maybe they’ll sell it. It’s just plain stupid to try to correct long-term budget imbalances with one time sources of income - whether it be federal stimulus money or the sale of state assets. We’ll wind up with all of our public assets in the hands of profiteers, and in the long run still have to raise taxes when we run out of stuff to sell. Kasich blames everyone from Voinovich to Strickland for “kicking the can down the road.” But he’s doing the same thing and stripping the state of everything it owns in the process.
By nullgary
March 15, 2011 3:22 PM | Link to this
all the govenors doing making his books look good passing the buck local goverments haft to make up the difference guess who will pay for it vote no on all tax leveys send it back to the gov.
By 8
March 15, 2011 3:18 PM | Link to this
I think it is going to be a hard road getting to Kasichs goal but in the long road it is going to be influential. I just think it is all happening all at once.
By Common Sense
March 15, 2011 3:16 PM | Link to this
Here’s the kicker - this $8 billion deficit has existed since the State did away with personal property tax and instituted the commercial activity tax in 2007. That’s right; they have known since 2007 that projected revenue shortfall by making this change was $8 billion dollars. Yet the Republicans, under Taft, did nothing to trim the budget to meet this projected shortfall. Then the Democrats got in, and they didn’t fix it either. Now the Republicans are back and they are going to fix their own error upon the backs of the Cities. The monies that are to come back to Cities under the Local Government Fund are your tax dollars used to provide your services - paving, snow removal, parks, police, fire, etc. The State is now going to keep your money - and what services will you get in return? The State offers none - it doesn’t provide water, sewer, residential paving, police or fire. This will crush municipal services. Plan on your streets getting worse, crime rates increasing, parks deteriorating, longer police and fire response times. In addition, what City will now have the money to provide economic incentives to keep companies or to lure new ones in? Plan on Ohio’s unemployment rate growing and the economy stagnating. This budget will hurt new jobs, not create them. Way to go Kasich, way to go.
By Johio
March 15, 2011 3:14 PM | Link to this
Hey “Get Over It” I always think it’s really funny when there’s a spelling error in a post that makes fun of someone elses spelling.
By Teach
March 15, 2011 3:13 PM | Link to this
Springfield News Sun, you are going to ruin your name if you start letting people comment on here again. Not that peoples comments aren’t important (freedon of speech) but many people get on here and are very rude and disrespectful. I know people have opinions but some people are very childish with their opinions. So, News Sun if you want to keep a good name, I would not allow this.
By Johio
March 15, 2011 3:10 PM | Link to this
John, You are right that a 2 yr degree can be better than a 4 yr - if you wish to be a dental technician or do HVAC repair (and there’s nothing wrong with that). But if you want to have a professional career you need at least a Bachelor’s degree - which is about more than just learning a trade. It’s about obtaining a broad knowledge base and critical thinking and communication skills. I’m a professional manager with a Management degree. I use very little of the “management meat of the subject” skills I learned, and very much of the general education learning I did. I believe most college grads would say the same thing.
By Chuck
March 15, 2011 3:10 PM | Link to this
Kasich just drove the final nail in Ohio’s Coffin. Dayton is already scheduled a press conference to raise income taxes, all the schools want more money, where is going to come from. Idiot Governor ?
By Get over it!
March 15, 2011 3:10 PM | Link to this
Bub - I’m surprised you can say “college,” let alone spell it! Everyone else - Get over it. The Dems and Strickland put us in this hole. Why can’t you liberals undesrtand the idea of spending no more than you take in? It might hurt now, but these actions will lead to prosperity.
By Paul
March 15, 2011 3:07 PM | Link to this
Local budgets are highly suspicious, too. Did you know, for instance, that Dayton spent $600,000 or more, a couple years ago, just to revise the police exam, so that more minorities could pass it? And then, the Dept. of Justice forces Dayton to lower the grade even further, so that you can get an F on the test and STILL become police? Is this Affirmative Action Gone Wild? And why, does it cost $600,000 to revise a test????
By Who
March 15, 2011 3:05 PM | Link to this
The norm for the future will be lower paying jobs requiring more education. Less Government at all levels.Much less services. If you are going to “produce” children you’re going to pay that bill, not everyone else. I would like to see all these “baby Daddys” on a fast track to pay. Ladies if you are going to have children you will take care of them or permantly lose them. Tired of all the slugs who think its someone elses job to take care of them.
By Laura
March 15, 2011 3:05 PM | Link to this
I live in fairborn and they already have there hands out wanting to take more of my paycheck in the form of higher property taxes for the City employees and the schools. When does this stop, if these two levies (and who knows how many more) are passed how are we suppose to live with taxes so high. Why cant Government downsize ? Why can’t any politician keep promises, The Governor wont raise taxes but the local Governments will. This will not bring new business to Fairborn !
By BP
March 15, 2011 3:01 PM | Link to this
So tax cuts for the rich and hand outs for those who choose not to work. Wonderful.
By Move now while you can
March 15, 2011 3:01 PM | Link to this
Great, privatized Prisons. This is where those incarcerated NEVER get to see the light of day. See, in a for profit model it makes no sense to release the prisoner when you will no longer get the revenue from the state. Go in for 1 year and see if you dont serve 10. Its all about the dollars people.
By karon
March 15, 2011 3:01 PM | Link to this
Kasich, why did you give people in your cabinet pay raises since you say we as a state is bankrupt????
By John
March 15, 2011 2:51 PM | Link to this
You can get a college degree in two years and that degree will most likely be more useful than a four year degree. How many young kids graduate with a four year degree yet they are unprepared to work? A four year degree is important for many careers, but not all. I agree with the person who said it is in the college’s best interest to have four even five year degree programs. You spend the first two years taking general requirements and it isn’t until your junior year you get to the meat of the subject. Many students drop out of college in the first two years because they aren’t learning things they are interested in or things they truly need to know. Western Civ was a waste as was volleyball, bowling, tennis, and several other classes I took for ELECTIVES. I would have elected to graduate and start work!
By steve
March 15, 2011 2:50 PM | Link to this
So we rob peter to pay paul. No raise in state income taxes but at the local level they’ll go thru the roof. Thanks John!
By oldtimer
March 15, 2011 2:50 PM | Link to this
When are you people going to learn that you can’t save your way out of a depression, you have to spend your way out. Cutting budgets and jobs is self-defeating. It just further erodes the consumer and taxpayer base and contributes to more long-term financial woes.
By Republican
March 15, 2011 2:50 PM | Link to this
All Kasich is doing is pushing the UNIONS out then forcing LOCAL Government to deal with the unions and less funds from the state. Local taxes will go up to support services the state used to fund. This will not bring jobs to Ohio that pay a LIVING WAGE only lower paying part time employment. Take notice Kasich you and your cronies have 3.5 years to ruin the state, in the end you will all be gone.
By Yippee
March 15, 2011 2:49 PM | Link to this
We are living in a dream world if we think our government (local, state and federal) can continue operating at current levels. If private businesses ran deficits like our government bodies do they would be out of business. It’s time for a reality check and some times reality is hard to deal with. The days of entitlements for everyone are over.
By Marie
March 15, 2011 2:46 PM | Link to this
So you will balance the budget by forcing local governments to increase taxes and claim you held your promise of no new taxes - nice!
By Henry
March 15, 2011 2:35 PM | Link to this
Hey DDN — Every other big paper in the state has had this story online, in a big way, for hours. All you can give us is a blog-like mini-story, most of which is from the AP. Meanwhile, the “new restaurant coming to The Greene” story has been online for hours.
By just a question
March 15, 2011 2:35 PM | Link to this
Serious question: how will this budget create jobs? I hope the DDN explores that issue, since Kasich is calling his plan “The Jobs Budget.”
By Paul
March 15, 2011 2:34 PM | Link to this
Most college students would agree that you CAN get a bachelor’s degree in 3 years… but its not in the college’s best interest, is it? As a parent who’s paid 100% of my 3 kids’ college tuition, I think its a GREAT IDEA. Isn’t it interesting how people who pay their own bills… see things differently?
By bub
March 15, 2011 2:25 PM | Link to this
3-Year Bachelor Degree Programs? Are you joking? “Hi, my name is Bob, I graduated from a college in Ohio with a watered-down curriculum, designed so my state could save money and give me a false, non-competitive credential in the process.” Did Kasich go to college? Wow…what a tool.
By Paul
March 15, 2011 2:21 PM | Link to this
Its not just Ohio; most states have less revenue coming in —so there’s no option other than cutting the budget. Most taxpayers cannot afford increased taxes, either… they made that very clear in November.