League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
State of Ohio November 2, 2010 Election
	Dennis S. Spisak/Anita Rios Answers Questions Candidate for Governor/Lt Governor; State of Ohio

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Ohio is facing a huge budget deficit for the FYs ending in 2012 and 2013. What specific revenues increases would you support and what cuts would you make to balance the budget?

To fix Ohio`s looming budget problem we must focus on three areas: New Tax Revenue, Reduced Tax Expenditures, and Reduced Programmatic Expenditures. We must reinstate the upper bracket personal income tax rate of 7.5%, which would generate $900 million dollars. We must increase the CAT tax by .08%, which would cover the estimated General Revenue Fund subsideries to schools and local governments and raise over $400 million dollars.

We must reduce tax expenditure loopholes, which cost Ohio over $7 billion dollars a year. We must also reduce expenditures, which could also save millions over the biennium.

2. What should be done to ensure that all community schools and nonpublic schools that accept state financial support (including vouchers) are accountable to the public?

All Community schools and nonpublic schools should be held to the same accountability standards as public schools are in the state of Ohio. It`s time to crack down on poor quality and failing charter schools. I am all for closing truly failing charter schools.

3. What would you propose, if anything, to change Ohio’s tax structure?

I would restructure the 2005 tax changes that lowered taxes for wealthy taxpayers. The Office of Budget and Management says reversing just one year of the income tax cuts would bring in $422 million dollars. To help low-income households, raise the amount households can make before owing an income tax. Implement an Ohio Earned Income Tax Credit system like the Federal EITC. Currently, 24 states and the District of Columbia have this credit in place, which would bring low-income families out of poverty. Raise the Commercial Activity Tax: revenues would allow for paying schedule reimbursements as well as add money to the General Revenue Fund. This could raise at least $50 million for the state. Retain some of the income tax portion of the corporate franchise tax. Retaining at least 1/5 of it`s former rate would give the state at least $200 million per year.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 24, 2010 18:09
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