League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
	Hamilton County, OH November 2, 2010 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues State Senator; District 9

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualification, Priorities, Budget deficient, School finance, Tax structure Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit) Answer from Eric Kearney: "I have served in the Ohio Senate for approximately 5 years. I have sponsored a number of bills that are now law. I am a small business owner and attorney. I am a husband and father of two children." 2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit) Answer from Eric Kearney: My top priorities for the State of Ohio are jobs, jobs, and jobs. I have and will continue to host Town Hall Meetings regarding small business development. I have and will continue to support job-training programs so that we can develop our workforce to take advantage of 21st Century opportunities. Additionally, I will continue to support education. 3. Ohio is facing a huge budget deficit for the FYs ending in 2012 and 2013. What specific revenue increases would you support and what cuts would you make to balance the budget? (150 word limit) Answer from Eric Kearney: The projections indicate that Ohio will face a budget deficit, but we do not know the size. The size will determine the extent of the cuts we will need to make. In order, to meet our constitutional responsibility of a balanced budget, the legislature will need to look at all areas for efficiencies. We need to weigh the human suffering with the financial responsibilities. 4. What should be done to ensure that all community schools and nonpublic schools that accept state financial support (including vouchers) are accountable to the public? (150 word limit) Answer from Eric Kearney: We should uniformly apply the rules to all schools. We must demand accountability from all schools. 5. What would you propose, if anything, to change Ohio’s tax structure? (150 word limit) Answer from Eric Kearney: We have the C.A.T. tax currently. I believe that we will need to adjust the C.A.T. for Ohio's new casinos. We will likely have to change the tax structure to reflect the current economic situation (e.g., more tax incentives and tax credits). Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.