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Ohio Democrats Respond to Bob Taft's State of the State: Where We Stand!

For Immediate Release January 28, 2004

OHIO DEMOCRATS WHERE WE STAND! One-Party Party Rule Has Cost Ohio 66,900 Jobs in 2003 and Unemployment has shot up to 6.0%. Ohio Democrats are fighting for real reforms that grow the economy and protect Ohio families

In 2004 We Will Continue Our Fight To:

Create Good Jobs and Give the Middle Class A Break:

Bob Taft and his party have slashed corporate taxes and increased the amount individuals pay to fund state government. Six of Ohio’s largest companies paid $50 in corporate franchise tax last year! [Col.Dispatch 6//8/03]

Democrats have fought for:

-- Attracting new jobs by offering employers a highly trained workforce by increasing education funding and technology initiatives [budget amendments]

-- Comprehensive tax reform and complete review of all tax loopholes [HB 110- Driehaus, budget amendments]

-- Tax reductions for poor families to become self-sufficient [Miller-HB 17]

-- Tax breaks for those training for critical jobs like nurses [Boccieri-HB 46]

-- Incentives for colleges to retrain workers [Dann SB 62]

Reward Hard Work and Playing by the Rules

Attorney General Jim Petro, Auditor Betty Montgomery and government appointees failed to properly oversee Ohio’s state pension and health care funds leading to 30% increases in health care costs for some state workers and retirees. [STRS Health Care Program Books]

Democrats have fought for:

-- Inspector General oversight of pension systems [SB 104-Fedor]

-- Reduced cost child care to low-income working families [budg. amendment]

-- Increased home health care services for elderly Ohioans [budg. amendment]

-- Fair treatment of Ohio’s military families and protection of Ohio soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan [HB 275-Key, SB 177-Dann ]

Protect Against Greed

Taft and his party reward greed such as devising a plan that allowed FirstEnergy to recover billions of dollars from Northeast Ohio residents beyond what it deserved. [Plain Dealer 10/17/03]

Democrats have fought for:

-- Prescription drug discounts [SB 14-Hagan]

-- Banning state work for companies dodging taxes by moving offshore [HB 286-Skindell]

-- Tough regulations of mega-farms and offshore drilling that threaten public water supplies. [HB 46-Redfern, HB 152-amendment]

-- Ensuring government investments in high-tech gets results [State Issue 1]

End One Party Rule

Special interest favoritism has led to enormous failures in state government policy including the nation’s most expensive electronic food stamps program. [Col. Dispatch 5/16/03]

Democrats have fought for:

-- Full disclose of campaign contributions and a ban on campaign contributions from children. [HB 262 Amendment, Redfern]

-- Independent Audit Commission to root out waste and abuse [SB 95- Fedor]

-- Increased oversight on unbid government contracts and tough ethics laws to prevent perks to big campaign contributors. [SB 133 amendments]

-- Cutting the pay of part-time state legislators [HB 123- Domenick, Seaver]

To Change the Direction of Ohio Call Your Democratic State Representative at: 644-9777 Or Call Your Democratic State Senator at: 466-3509 -30-