Ohio’s budget crisis makes study of government timely

Gov. Ted Strickland’s public acknowledgment that he is being forced to take a hard look at the state’s budget in the face of Ohio’s still sluggish economy coincided with the release of a study of government in Indiana that recommended downsizing and consolidation.

Like Ohio, Indiana is facing tough economic times and disgruntled residents who are saying no to tax increases.

Indeed, three independent national reviews of state finances have concluded that budget shortfalls and spending cuts are in the offing in the next two years.

Given that stark reality, Strickland, who is completing his first year in office, should launch the kind of study of government that Indiana went through.

However, we would suggest that rather than only focusing on the local level, Ohio’s state and local governments should be put under the microscope.

After all, the shrinking pool of tax dollars is having a negative effect across the board.

In Indiana, the Commission on Local Government Reform was created in July by Gov. Mitch Daniels at the height of public discontent over rising property taxes, according to the Indianapolis Star. The paper quoted the governor as saying Indiana had too many layers of government that were costing taxpayers too much money and made it difficult to pin responsibility on any one officeholder or group when spending spiraled out of control.

The recommendations adopted by the commission would cut the number of local elected officials by more than half — 11,012 to 5,171 — and the number of local government units by more than a third — 3,086 to 1,931.

Uphill battle

While officials in Indiana concede that it will be an uphill battle to get the changes adopted, an effort is being made to sell the idea of smaller government to the taxpayers.

Ohio should aim for a similar outcome. After all, government spending at all levels must be reduced to meet the declining tax bases.

Gov. Strickland has already been forced to propose curbing Medicaid benefits to children with autism and other disabilities, due partly to economic factors and partly to federal requirements.

And in a clear demonstration of just how difficult times will be, Strickland announced he was turning down a 2.8 percent pay raise.

The governor’s spokesman, Keith Dailey, put the issue of the budget crisis in perspective when he said, “Accepting a pay increase at this time would send the wrong message about the state’s commitment to living within our means.”

There are no negatives to a study of government, both on the state and local levels. After all, taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent and whether downsizing and consolidation are realistic goals.

We are reminded of former Gov. George V. Voinovich’s challenge to public employees to do more with less — just as employees in the private sector have had to do for many years.

Without a doubt, changing government will not be easy. The special interests who have long lived high off the public hog have proved to be formidable opponents of change.

But, the status quo can longer be sustained.