Local educators gathered on the Athens County Courthouse steps yesterday to collect pennies and to protest the efforts of Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell to repeal Ohio's one-cent sales tax.
The tax, enacted last July, is set to expire at the end of July 2005.
Blackwell submitted a petition last December to the General Assembly, forcing legislators to consider repealing the tax, said his spokesman Carlo LoParo. But, before that consideration could take place, boards of elections in 59 counties challenged the petition, claiming the 96,870 signatures were fraudulent.
LoParo said he did not know which 59 counties were disputing the petitions.
In response, Blackwell called on the Ohio Attorney General's office to intervene in the court cases, LoParo said. Members of this special council would help the defense attorneys in court to ensure the even application of the law
LoParo said.
He said the attorneys would make sure all 59 cases reached the same verdict.
The supporters of the tax said that if repealed, the state would lose $600 million to $800 million, money that would go towards education, libraries and local government funds. The Ohio Department of Taxation estimates that figure at a $798.4 million loss for the remainder of 2005 fiscal year, according to an Office of Budget and Management news release.
- McGuire said. The Federal Hocking district currently employs 120 teachers. He called Blackwell's push to repeal the tax politically motivated, adding that many politicians in Columbus, even - he said. It's easier for politicians to appeal to people's selfishness than to appeal to their long-term best interest.
LoParo denied the accusation.
It's a political move if that means (Blackwell) is acting in accordance with his political ideals for an efficient government
instead of consistently asking taxpayers for additional funding
he said.
-
he said. It's almost a given that
unless we repeal it
the General Assembly will enact it.
Jordan said Ohio's tax burden is already too high, something that prevents job creation and economic growth. If the state kept spending at the same levels as last year, it could save half of the $800 million. The other half would have to come from cuts to primary and secondary education and Medicaid, he said.
-
(Blackwell) is playing politics and not practicing good government
he said. To date
he's refused to provide a solution for the sate budget mess if the tax is revoked.
