Budget Should Make Good Economic Sense

By Denise Driehaus

The budget proposed by Governor Kasich made unwise cuts to investments that create economic growth and protect citizens. Op-ed regarding the budget.

At my "Office Hours" in Cleves, constituents came to talk about the elimination of the regional tax department office in Queensgate and the loss of their jobs. These people provide front line services to taxpayers who need help completing their taxes. Governor Kasich's budget eliminates these jobs while preserving the out of state tax offices' jobs.

Investing in education should continue to be one of our top priorities. The Governor's budget cut over $3.1 billion from public and Catholic schools. The Republican version of the budget restores a small portion of these cuts, but not nearly enough. Businesses consistently site an educated work force as one of the top reasons they come and stay to do business in Ohio. It is unwise to shortchange our schools now and pay for it later as companies leave Ohio.

Keeping seniors in their homes saves money and is good for them and their families. From making home visits in the community, I recognize the importance of programs that provide meals, medical assistance and housekeeping help to seniors such as PASSPORT, PACE and Meals on Wheels. The Kasich budget cut significant money to providers and agencies that offer these necessary services and would have forced seniors into nursing homes. Again, the revised budget adds a minor amount of money to this objective, but as the Governor and Republican House talk about their desire to keep seniors in their homes, the money must follow to support these programs + or rhetoric rings hollow.

Agencies that protect consumers' rights should continue to receive support. The Ohio Consumers Council (OCC) is a consumer watchdog. They keep utility rates down while saving consumers money and yet they receive no general fund money and therefore have no impact on the budget. The proposed budget cuts funding to the OCC in half and prohibits them from operating a call center for consumer complaints. This is a slap in face to citizens and will make it difficult for them to resolve disputes with utility companies.

We are constitutionally obligated to balance the budget but must do so in a well thought out way that provides growth for our state.