Ohio Senate GOP must pass state budget, not jeopardize city and school funding

Tom Bullock is a candidate for the 13th Ohio House District seat currently held by term-limited Michael Skindell. This post promoted from the Forums section of OhioDaily

The Plain Dealer editorial, “GOP antics hurt Ohio”, is right on target. House Democrats passed a responsible, balanced budget in October, but two months later and only weeks from the deadline, the Ohio Senate Republican majority has neither passed that budget nor offered an alternative.

Senate Republicans seem heedless of the real consequences state budget decisions have on Ohio cities, schools, and families. The City of Lakewood, for example, expects a Local Government Fund cut of $655,000 in 2010. Lakewood won’t raise taxes, thanks to fiscal discipline in the past two years, but lost revenue likely means a hiring freeze and greatly-reduced economic development investments. That means less stimulus and fewer jobs for our economy. These cuts could get worse if Senate Republicans don’t avert the coming train-wreck.

Ohio schools face even larger losses: missing the Dec. 31 deadline jeopardizes $1 billion in federal education aid. Local school levies, already possible for many communities, can’t make up that huge amount.

In this tough economy, we can’t afford budget disruptions and resulting job losses and higher debt payments. Senate Republican budget delays might hurt Gov. Strickland politically, but they would hurt Ohio jobs and communities far, far worse.

Sincerely,

Councilman Tom Bullock
Lakewood City Council, Ward 2

NOTE: this letter was also submitted to the editor of the Plain Dealer, which first published it here: http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/12/political_posturing_b...