League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
State of Ohio November 2, 2010 Election
	Ted Strickland/Yvette McGee Brown 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?

First, I`m working to create jobs because a growing economy is the most important factor for long term budget sustainability. Second, I`ve done what past Ohio leaders have only talked about doing + I have made tough choices to reduce the size of government and cut spending. Third, I`m modernizing state government and finding ways to provide services more efficiently. We`re pursuing further efficiencies in the four larger systems that comprise 90% of the state`s general revenue fund budget + our k-12 and higher education systems, corrections, and Medicaid. 5 Finally, I`ll approach the budget responsibly. I have a record that Ohioans can judge. The past is the best predictor of the future and I have already balanced two state budgets by cutting spending without raising taxes.

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?

In 2009, I signed into law an education reform plan that creates a constitutional system of school funding. Included in that package of reforms are strong accountability measures for community schools. These measures require all schools to create spending plans, ensuring that funds reach the students who need them. They also hold community schools to the high standards that traditional schools must meet and move all community schools and their sponsors under the authority of the Ohio Department of Education. My plan also reduces the amount of time that community schools are permitted to operate in ‗academic emergency` before being forced to close and prevents operators of community schools with failing track records from creating new community schools. It is vitally important that these public dollars serve our students well.

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

During difficult economic times, and as other states were increasing taxes, Ohio enacted one of the largest tax cuts in modern history. Ohioans now pay $1.8 billion less in taxes each year. State income taxes are 16.8% lower than in 2004 and during my term, we carried out the elimination of the tangible personal property and corporate franchise taxes. I also expanded eligibility for the homestead exemption tax credit. Nearly 1 in 4 Ohio homeowners, mostly senior citizens, are saving on average more than $400 a year on their property taxes. And, as Governor, I signed laws to exempt retirement benefits of Ohio military retirees and benefits paid to surviving military spouses from state income taxes and school district income taxes. Finally, in order to incentivize job growth, I signed legislation eliminating the tangible personal property tax on solar and wind facilities.

---

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).

Candidate Page || This Contest
SmartVoter Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter

---

Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 24, 2010 18:09
Smart Voter <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://www.lwvc.org
The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office or political parties.