Strickland seeks more federal aid for Ohio

The governor wants to give hope to residents hurt by recession.

By MARC KOVAC

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland said he will push for additional federal funding to help Ohio weather the economic downturn.

“This was not the second Great Depression, but it is the Great Recession, and we cannot minimize the effect this economy has had on our citizens and our state,” Strickland said. “Will I be seeking the continuation of some federal support until the economy recovers and the recession lifts? I will.”

He added, “There’s no way of knowing exactly whether that will be forthcoming or in what amount. But I believe it’s appropriate for states who have constitutional obligations to have a balanced budget to get the assistance that we have gotten from our federal partners.”

In a wide-ranging sit-down interview with the Dix Capital Bureau, the governor said he hopes the new year will bring new jobs for the unemployed and that he is thankful for federal efforts to put Ohioans back to work:

Q. Many Ohioans are facing the holidays and new year without jobs. Some are visiting food pantries and seeking public assistance for the first time in their lives. What message would you give them going into the new year?

A. “I would like to give them a message of hope. I would like to say to them that I understand that there are so many Ohioans that are going without things that they really need and that, as you say, some people are facing unprecedented circumstances that they’ve never faced in their lives. They worked hard, they’ve played by the rules, they’ve done everything they could do to care for themselves and their families and contribute to their communities, pay their taxes, support their churches, and are now finding themselves in great need. I want to encourage them to reach out for help if they need it and to try to make their needs known to social-service agencies and others that may be in a position to provide them assistance right now.

“I also would encourage them to remain hopeful, because I do believe that this recession will come to an end. It will return to a more normal economic set of circumstances and that prosperity will return. Together, we can hope and pray that that happens.”

Q. Do you have any hope, after talking regularly to your council of economic advisers that we’re going to see recovery in 2010 that will actually bring job growth for auto workers and others who are out of work?

A. “I think there certainly will be some significant job growth, and I think some of that job growth will in fact occur in industries such as the auto industry that has been so desperately injured as a result not only of the recession but of the restructuring of the industry and the changes that are occurring. I think that will happen in 2010. I don’t think it will happen overnight. I think the recovery will be slow, but I hope it’s steady, and I believe that we are already seeing some beginning signs of recovery. But this recession has been the most severe that the country has experienced in many decades. I believe we came close to experiencing the second Great Depression.

“For some people, obviously, it has been a depression — those who have lost homes or jobs or health care and have seen their lives dramatically altered and affected by this recession. I also stated that this recession was not inevitable. It did not have to happen. It happened as a result of greed and selfishness, primarily on Wall Street where decisions were made to try to earn quick wealth at the expense of investors and others. We are facing unprecedented circumstances.

“I am thankful that President Obama and our Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate saw fit to help us by sending us significant financial relief that’s enabled us to continue to provide essential Medicaid services to our elderly, to our sick children and to our disabled population. I am thankful for the stimulus dollars we have received that are putting people to work building roads and bridges and other vital infrastructure such as sewer and water systems. I am thankful for the educational resources we received that have enabled us to not cut education funding but to actually increase it during this recession.

“We are experiencing challenges. They would have been much more difficult had it not been for our federal partners. But going forward, we’ve got to continue to get the economy back on track, to create jobs while continuing to invest in education. And that’s the goal that I have for the coming year — to work to create jobs and to protect education.”

Q. Does Ohio need more stimulus dollars going into the next budget cycle?

A. “I think it’s likely that this recession will still be so limiting to the ability of the states to meet the essential obligations which they have to their people, including Ohio, that additional federal assistance will be necessary.

“Ohio and other states have not been dependent on resources for our survival in the past, and we won’t be in the future. But these are very unusual circumstances that we face right now — historic circumstances. As I say, these circumstances will be written about in the history books. ...

“In the middle of a recession, when the need for support of our people increases, and the tax revenues because of the economy decrease, I think it’s highly appropriate to receive the assistance that we have received from our federal government, and I would like to see that continue as long as necessary to protect people from losing access to essential services that they have a right to expect.”

STRICKLAND SPEAKS

A 3-part series

In an exclusive interview with Vindicator Columbus correspondent Marc Kovac, Gov. Ted Strickland spoke freely about a wide range of topics.

TODAY: The governor wants to give Ohioans hope in these tough economic times. He sees improvement in Ohio’s economic fortune in 2010.

MONDAY: The governor lashes out at criticism that he isn’t doing enough to cut state spending, saying he cut thousands of state jobs.

TUESDAY: The governor speaks of his re-election plans and says he hopes Ohio voters are willing to give him another four years.