State Agencies Await More Budget Cuts Under Strickland's Watch

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State Agencies Await More Budget Cuts Under Strickland's Watch
By Dennis Spisak - Jul 15, 2010 5:25:33 PM ET 

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Categories: Budget Priorities, Economic Fairness and Security
State agencies are being told today to begin planning for the next two-year budget, which expected to be one of the most challenging in decades, by preparing two different spending scenarios: one at 100 percent of current spending and the other at 90 percent.

Administration officials caution not to read too much into the guidance as far as what the fiscal 2012-13 budget may look like. They point out that this is only a starting point for a long process, in which the agencies decide how they would allocate funds at those different levels.

Two years ago, the Office of Budget and Management told agencies to prepare budgets at 95 and 90 percent of previous spending.

But the next budget, which must be passed by next June 30 unless there is an extension, is expected to be difficult because the current spending plan contains about $8 billion in federal stimulus funds and other so-called "one-time" money that won't be around for the new budget.

Ted Strickland will again allow state agencies to suffer cuts. Cuts to Human Services. Cuts to Education.

All because Ted Strickland is the chicken from Duck Run who won't raise revenues.

To fix Ohio's looming budget problem I will 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 loophole expenditures, which cost Ohio over $ 7 billion dollars a year.

We must also reduce expenditures, which could also save millions over the biennium.

A Green Party Governor can call for these changes. Ted Strickland and John Kasich won't.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party Nominee for Ohio Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

For more info, contact 330-503-1407