Compromise will be needed for state budget
Gov. John Kasich’s State of the State Address on Tuesday now
serves as the blueprint for many policies in Ohio during the next two years.
After hearing from several local legislators and
politicians this past week it appears to me that few are ready to fully endorse
the governor’s budget plan.
However, it does contain individual proposals that both
sides of the political aisle like but that neither seem to agree on together.
What that likely means is after the debate process the
budget could look much different than what Kasich proposed.
Compromise will be necessary, and unlike the federal
government, the state must operate with a balanced budget as of July 1.
Some Republican legislators have a hard time coming to
grips with Kasich’s wish to expand Medicaid coverage and they might not vote
for a budget if that is included. Democrats are generally pleased by the
proposed expansion, but most oppose the bulk of the rest of the budget.
As part of the new federal health care law, which many in
the GOP still fundamentally oppose, extending who can be cared for through
Medicaid up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level is an option for states
to accept with the federal government paying 100 percent of that cost for the
first three years and gradually dropping down to 90 percent funding.
When it comes to tax reform, the GOP and Democrats again
differ. Republicans favor an income tax reduction, lowering the state’s sales
tax rate and the expansion of services that would be subject to sales tax.
Democrats argue the tax policy changes would help wealthy
taxpayers more and hurt lower income residents who would spend a greater
percentage of their income on services like haircuts, sporting events, and
funeral services.
Republicans argue the proposals are a more fair way to tax
because it would lower the state’s sales tax rate and provide residents and
business owners with income tax relief.
Unless some things change, this budget might not follow party
lines. It’s possible that neither side will be completely happy with what
transpires, but the fact that Democrats and Republicans might have to work more
closely together in Columbus would be a nice change.
Joyce joins Auto Industry Pension Task Force
U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township,
announced he has joined the Auto Industry Pension Task Force.
The Congressional Auto Industry Pension Task Force,
co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, and Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton,
will serve as an informal group of members dedicated to issues related to the
termination of Delphi Salaried Retiree pensions and educating other members on
the subject.
Picked up petitions
Recently taking out petitions with the Lake County
Elections Board are Jeff Black for Willoughby Council at large; Laura DePledge
for Eastlake Council at large; Larry Luciano for
Willoughby-Eastlake School Board; Ronald P. Ely for Wickliffe Council
Ward 3; Duane
H. Frager for Madison Village Council; Chuck Klco for Leroy
Township trustee; and Teresa Wagoner, MaryAnn Guy-Froebe and Timothy Rillahan
for Madison Township trustee.
Fundies
n Re-election kickoff party for
Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets, 5 to 8 p.m. March 7 at Holiday Inn Express
LaMalfa Centre in Mentor. See Ed or Cindy Hughes.
n Re-election kickoff for Eastlake
Mayor Ted
Andrzejewski, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 21 at Patrician Party,
Eastlake. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.
n Lake County Commissioner Robert E.
Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
March 12 at LaMalfa Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites. See Kathie
Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.
n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher
Galloway re-election fundraiser is rescheduled to 5 to 7 p.m. April
1 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.
John Arthur Hutchison
Twitter: @newheraldjah
Labels: Dave Joyce, John Kasich, Mike Turner, Ohio, Ohio 14th Congressional District, Ohio budget, Ohio politics, Tim Ryan
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