Governor Proposes Tax Cuts, Education Program Changes in State of the State

Saying Ohio has made progress, but is “not at the summit yet,” Gov. John Kasich laid down a series of goals Monday in his State of the State address to further lower taxes, help veterans and increase educational opportunities from pre-kindergarten through college.

“Together, we’ve breathed new life into Ohio in just three short years, but we’re not at the summit yet,” Kasich said. “Think about what Ohio will be like when we get there. What will it look like on the top of that mountain.”

Speaking at the Medina Performing Arts Center, Kasich told members of the Ohio General Assembly he would be sending them requests for legislation soon for his plans. But he also acknowledged some of them might spill into a second term.

“Not all of this going to get done this spring and this summer, and maybe some of it won’t get done this year,” Kasich said. “It’s OK to take our time to get things right, but we can’t drag our feet. If we’re not moving forward, we’re moving backward.”

The governor, up for re-election, faces a challenges from both his left and his right. Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald is his likely Democratic challenger. Charlie Earl, a former Republican state legislator, is running as a Libertarian.

Kasich declared that the state is stronger, more optimistic, more excited and more confident” and touted the state’s fiscal accomplishments: Overcoming an $8 billion shortfall in the Ohio budget, building a surplus and cutting taxes to Ohioans by about $3 billion while the state added more than 170,000 private sector jobs.

“The nation and the world have their eyes on Ohio. They see we’re coming back and they want to know how we’re doing it,” Kasich said. “We’re not done, but we’ve made good progress. We’re getting there, and it’s great to see it happen and to be a part of it.”

Democratic legislative leaders responded to Kasich’s assessment and proposals with skepticism.

“The governor asked a lot of rhetorical questions when he delivered his speech,” said Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of the Youngstown area. “But I’d ask him to tell it like it is, because his facts did not match reality.”

FitzGerald, in a prepared response, said he found hope in the governor’s pledges, but “his record is what we have to go on.”

He criticized Kasich’s agenda — as he has criticized Kasich’s tax reforms — as benefiting “the well connected and privileged few, while everyday Ohioans remain anxious about their future.”

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