Tax reforms, the state budget and the economy will be the main talking points of Gov. Bob Taft's State of the State address in Columbus Tuesday.
...Tax reform and the state's economy and how the tax reform has been impacting the state's economy will be addressed
as well as getting into the budget discussion because the budget will be introduced next week as well said Mark Rickle, spokesman for the governor.
Ohio Speaker of the House Jon Husted, R-Kettering, said his predictions are that the address will include the economy, jobs, tax reform and putting people
back to work.
The governor is going to address these same issues and will say the same thing: If we are going to transform Ohio's economy we have to create good jobs today and better jobs through the future
Husted said.
The budget deficit is estimated to be about $5 billion, and Taft is expected to talk about balancing the budget as well as cost containment ideas for Medicaid, said Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens.
Ohio Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, said discussing Medicaid and discussing tax reform are mutually exclusive.
The control of Medicaid is extremely important from the view of economic development
and tax reform is very critical; they are linked to each other....
While the consensus among Republicans is one of optimism for future plans and reforms, some Democrats are skeptical.
House Minority Leader Rep. Chris Redfern, D-Port Clinton, said his expectations for Taft's plans
are limited.
I have attended five state speeches in my 10 years in the legislation. I have yet to hear anything
in my opinion
that will help to rebuild our shattered economy.
Redfern said he wants to see tax reforms that would shift the burden away from the middle class. He also said by making higher education more affordable, Ohio would build a larger work force to staff businesses within the state.
State Sen. Joy Padgett, R-Coshocton, said other possible topics Taft could focus on include: the Blue Ribbon Commission, formed to make recommendations to improve Ohio schools; the Third Frontier program, which provides financial support to projects that contribute to technology-based economic development; and the preparation of Ohio for more high-tech jobs with improvements to its technological infrastructure.
Padgett is especially focused on the last initiative. Building technological infrastructure would allow us to be competitive for high-tech jobs like everyone else
Padgett said.
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