Democratic officeholders criticize Kasich

YOUNGSTOWN — Council members from Cincinnati and Toledo joined Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti and Ohio Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, in criticizing Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, for cutting the Local Government Fund.

The officeholders, all Democrats, said today that the state’s surplus, which exceeds $1 billion, came from Kasich’s decision, backed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly, to cut the Local Government Fund. That has made it difficult for local governments to fix potholes, pave roads, mow grass and demolish vacant houses, said Toledo Councilwoman Lindsay Webb. Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld said the cuts have forced communities to cut back on safety services.