Kasich the frustrated
Published: February 3, 2013 - 11:28 PM
Akron Beacon Journal
When
John Kasich unveiled JobsOhio, he championed the benefits of bringing a private
sector spirit to public efforts in economic development. A more nimble and
flexible state would move at the speed of business. That was the idea. The
reality has been frustrating for the governor, with JobsOhio at the center of a
lengthy court battle, critics arguing the program violates the state
constitution by routing public money into private enterprises.
The
governor’s frustration spilled over last week as he answered questions from
reporters. He labeled as “nihilists” and “obstructionists” those behind the
lawsuit. He accused them of using “these tactics to try to destroy economic
development so somehow they can get back into power and do more damage than
they’ve already done.”
At
one point, the governor added: “These are people who are going to have to
answer to a much higher power than me about why they have appealed and appealed
and appealed.”
Hell-raisers,
in other words?
Clearly,
the governor had in mind ProgressOhio, a liberal group, and two Democratic
lawmakers involved in the lawsuit. Worth noting is that the 1851 Center for
Constitutional Law, a conservative outfit, also has joined the cause.
Is
there “no legitimacy to this,” as the governor asserted? The effort simply
“designed to wreck the progress that we’re making in Ohio”?
Bill
Batchelder, the House speaker and Republican in good standing, raised early
concerns about the constitutionality of JobsOhio, sending the measure to the
Senate with question marks. Provisions in the constitution reflect the
experience of the 1800s, the state plowing public money into the development of
a private transportation network. Abuses and corruption followed, leading to
prohibitions on state funding of private endeavors.
Here are 10
things to know about Ohio General Assembly
Published: Sat, February 2, 2013 @ 12:00
a.m.
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
State lawmakers get back to work this month after a few
weeks of ceremony, organizational meetings and caucus retreats to outline
priorities for the year.
They’ll begin next week with hearings on Gov. John
Kasich’s biennial budget proposals.
Here are 10 things to think about as the Ohio General
Assembly begins its work for 2013 and 2014:
1. New and old faces: There are 99 representatives in the
Ohio House and 33 members of the Ohio Senate. Thirty House members are in their
first full terms. More than 20 are in their final term in the House, including
Democratic Rep. Bob Hagan from Youngstown.
2. Leadership: The Republican leaders of the House and
Senate cannot run for re-election due to term limits.
House Speaker Bill Batchelder, from Medina, began serving
in the Ohio House in 1969, left office due to term limits and then returned for
another stint. He will serve through the end of 2014.
Senate President Keith Faber, from Celina, also is in his
final term; he will serve through the end of 2016.
3. Lawyers: Batchelder, a retired judge, and Rep. Matt
Huffman, a licensed attorney from Lima, recently confirmed that the Ohio House
has the fewest number of lawyers in its ranks in recent history. Fewer than two
dozen hold law licenses.
Hannah Report 2/1/13
ELECTIONS
"be noncontroversial stuff," and that it will also reintroduce a redistricting plan he sponsored with Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) in the 129th General Assembly.
House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said it is still his hope to have redistricting reform go through the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission, adding that the panel has people "who have a different attitude" about the way things should be done than those who would be affected under the current system. He said he would also like to see hearings around the state.
"be noncontroversial stuff," and that it will also reintroduce a redistricting plan he sponsored with Sen. Nina Turner (D-Cleveland) in the 129th General Assembly.
House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said it is still his hope to have redistricting reform go through the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission, adding that the panel has people "who have a different attitude" about the way things should be done than those who would be affected under the current system. He said he would also like to see hearings around the state.
GENERAL
ASSEMBLY/STATEHOUSE
The first round of House bills dropped during Wednesday's session, with the House Republicans issuing 10 bills addressing topics such as workforce development, local government performance, municipal tax reform, sweepstakes machines, and school safety. House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said the bills are not a part of an official House Republican "priorities list," but said they do "reflect some of the bigger issues we will face in the first six months."
The first round of House bills dropped during Wednesday's session, with the House Republicans issuing 10 bills addressing topics such as workforce development, local government performance, municipal tax reform, sweepstakes machines, and school safety. House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) said the bills are not a part of an official House Republican "priorities list," but said they do "reflect some of the bigger issues we will face in the first six months."
Kasich Budget Would Cut
Income Taxes Across The Board, Raise Revenues Elsewhere; Medicaid Shake-Up Planned
Gongwer
2/1/13
Gov. John Kasich's budget plan will entail
across-the-board reductions in the personal income tax and offset the revenue
reductions with loophole closures and a broadening of the sales tax base,
according to sources familiar with the package.
The
governor's second biennial budget proposal, to be unveiled on Monday, will also
include the increase on oil and gas severance taxes that he originally proposed
last year but was stripped out of the mid-biennium review budget by majority
House Republicans, the sources said.
As
previously announced, Mr. Kasich will also adopt the new higher education
funding system developed in consultation with college and university leaders.
(See Gongwer Ohio Report, November 30, 2012)
Lawmakers
also expect him to propose moving forward with the voluntary Medicaid expansion
under the federal Affordable Care Act to cover individuals up to 138% of the
federal poverty level - a move that would actually save the state general
revenue fund money to the tune of an estimated $50 million in fiscal year 2014
and $114 million in FY 2015.
Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) said
recently the Medicaid expansion faces skepticism within his caucus even though
the federal government will pick up nearly all of the tab for the first several
years.
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