By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Tax cuts sound great – until communities realize the “cuts” are just shifts from the state to them.
A group of Ohio House Democrats swung by Bowling Green during a statewide tour on Thursday, telling citizens to not fall for the “tax cut” promises. They joined up with House of Representatives candidate Kelly Wicks at Grounds for Thought to share their message.
In an effort to reduce taxes, the state merely shifted responsibilities to local communities and schools, the Democrats said.
It works like this: the state looks like the good guy by collecting lower taxes from residents and businesses, then the state slashes the money it previously sent to local governments and schools. That means schools need to pass more levies to pay for equipment and buildings. Libraries need to pass more levies to pay for books and bookmobiles. Municipalities need to pass more levies to pay for fire trucks, parks and roads. And college students have to pay fees for services that were previously part of the tuition, and walk away with degrees and debts up to $80,000.
Meanwhile the state still looks like the good guy, and citizens are angry with local government, schools and colleges for asking for more money.
The city of Bowling Green took an annual $1.3 million hit with cuts in the Local Government Fund and loss of estate and CAT taxes.
“That doesn’t make sense that we are putting that much pressure” on local government and citizens, Ohio House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn said. “We want to make government in Columbus work for you, not against you.”
This week on Labor Day, while the nation celebrated the contributions of workers who built America, state Democratic leaders are looking out for the next generation of workers, Strahorn said.
The country has recovered from its recession – with automakers back to making a profit, the housing market making a rebound, and Wall Street recouping just fine.
But the average worker has not enjoyed the same recovery, Strahorn, of Dayton, said. “People are working harder,” but not taking home any more money. The American dream seems unattainable for many.
State Rep. Nick Celebreeze, D-Parma, talked about a state tax cut that saved the average family about $40 a year in taxes. That same tax cut led to Local Government Funds being slashed by $1.7 billion, resulting in roads in disrepair, and schools and cities dependent on their already struggling citizenry to pass tax levies.
“It was not a tax break for everyone,” Celebreeze said. “It was a tax shift.”
Ohio House candidate Kelly Wicks talks about his plans.
Wicks talked about a tax cut from the state that was sold to communities and businesses as a way to grow the economy. But the end result netted about 11 cents an hour for Wicks’ business, Grounds for Thought. Not exactly enough to create jobs.
But still, tax cuts are sold with “slick” advertising and little thought to the consequences, Strahorn said. “People get all weak in the knees,” at the mention of taxes being slashed, he said.
Celebreeze talked about a school system in his district that is under a fiscal emergency and might be placed under state control. “We can’t keep going back and asking voters for more money. The money just isn’t there.”
Wicks said elected officials need to be accountable to voters.
“We feel their frustration. We understand that people are working longer and harder than ever,” he said.
Gwen Andrix, in the audience, spoke up for the 13.8 percent of Wood County’s population that struggles with hunger. “The workers here are hurting,” she said.
Wicks joined the state Democratic leaders in saying the state has money for programs like those helping the hungry – but it’s just not a priority.
“If kids and families going hungry doesn’t constitute a rainy day, I don’t know what does,” Celebreeze said.
“We have a huge state budget. It’s what we do with it. We have the resources, it’s about priorities,” Wicks said, adding that the state needs to set different priorities.
“Kelly nailed that,” Strahorn said.
Wicks said as he has gone door-to-door in Wood County, he has heard the citizens’ priorities. They want safe neighborhoods, good schools, and pay raises.
The state Democrats standing with him on Thursday said their legislative agenda would:
- Raise working Ohioans’ incomes.
- Expand paid family leave.
- Ensure equal pay for equal work.
- Make college more affordable.
- Reduce taxes for working families.
- Make smart investments in clean-energy and infrastructure jobs.
“We need to hold our elected officials accountable,” Celebreeze said. He stressed the need for the state to protect voting rights, health care rights, keep communities strong, and promote good jobs.
“It’s not about just jobs, for us. It’s about good paying jobs,” he said.
Strahorn reminded the audience about Ohio Republican efforts to pass Senate Bill 5, trying to take away rights of workers.
“We need working people to understand that and stop voting for them,” Strahorn said of Republicans.
He also urged citizens to take a stand – not sit by quietly as louder voices prevail.
“You’ve got to be more vocal,” Strahorn said. “The people who get us to do stupid things in Columbus are very vocal. Be in our face.”
