More Dems push for tax increase

By Marc Kovac

Senate and House leaders and Gov. Ted Strickland have not supported the move.

COLUMBUS — Two more House Democrats have joined the ranks of lawmakers pushing for a tax increase to save vital state services from the budget chopping block.

Rep. Kathleen Chandler, from Kent, and Tyrone Yates, from Cincinnati, released a joint statement Wednesday, saying the tax issue should be part of discussions.

“The current proposed budget attempts to address our economic woes through extensive cuts to various services that improve the quality of life throughout Ohio,” they said in the statement. “... If our choice is between slashing funding for our schools, food banks, libraries and health providers and creating revenue through taxation, we believe it is time for Ohio’s leadership to discuss tax increases as one option and to stop the practice of tax cuts, tax credits and exemptions.”

Chandler and Yates join Reps. Bob Hagan, a Democrat from Youngstown, D-60th; Ted Celeste and Dan Stewart, from Columbus; and Mike Foley, from Cleveland, in support of a tax increase and/or reversal of tax cuts implemented several years ago.

So far, Senate and House leaders and Gov. Ted Strickland have not supported the move, instead focusing on spending cuts to fill a $3 billion-plus budget gap.

As of late last week, Strickland also put slot machines on the discussion table, backing a proposal to place gaming terminals at the state’s seven horse-racing tracks.

During a press conference Tuesday, Celeste said 23 other states have increased taxes to meet their budget deficits. Ohio should consider comparable measures, including reversing income-tax cuts that he said have cost the state more than $2 billion in revenue.

“While the practice of service cuts has been implemented before, we cannot cut our way out of this crisis,” Chandler and Yates said in their statement. “The sharp pangs of this recession will not be relieved by filling budget holes with major service cuts that will negatively impact Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Armond Budish, House speaker, said he was confident House Democrats would come together to support the final budget legislation, even if it does not include a tax increase.

“I believe that my members are working very hard to consider all options available, presenting ideas to me and the conferees,” Budish said. “Ultimately, we will be together and we will vote for a budget that will be strong and make the best use of the economic circumstances.”

mkovac@dixcom.com