Ask your state senator and representative to support the Governor's proposal to postpone the final reduction included in Ohio's five-year 21 percent tax cut. Without this step, Ohio will be forced to make even more drastic cuts in education funding or to vital health, human, and other essential government services.

Ohio is facing a large budget deficit following the ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court that the authorization for video lottery terminals (VLTs) provided for in Am. Sub. HB 1 (the biennial budget) is subject to referendum. Petitions are being circulated, and it is anticipated that the issue will be on the ballot in November 2010. This means that the $851.5 million anticipated VLT revenue, which the state had earmarked for education in the current biennial budget, will not be forthcoming. Governor Strickland has proposed that the gap be closed by delaying implementation of the final 4.2 percent installment of the five-year income tax reduction that began in 2005. It is anticipated that this action would raise $844 million, enough to offset most of the lost VLT revenue.

Background
The biennial budget passed in July included approximately $2 billion in cuts that necessitated drastic reductions in health and human services. These cuts have already undermined the ability of the state to provide essential services at a time when the number of Ohioans in need is increasing dramatically. The loss of an additional $851.5 million would be catastrophic to the education of Ohio's youth, and education funds cannot be realistically restored by shifting moneys from other human services, given the drastic cuts already made.

The Governor has made the right decision by proposing to delay the last phase of the 21 percent reduction in personal income taxes. It is time for the Ohio House and Senate to join the Governor, put politics aside, and support this proposal.

Action Needed
Contact your state senator and representative now, and urge them to support the Governor's proposal to delay the last phase of the 21 percent reduction in personal income taxes so that Ohio can ensure support for education and other essential health and human services.

Help the League Track Your Advocacy Efforts
The League of Women Voters of Ohio wants to know how responsive members are to action alerts and how many calls/contacts are made to the Ohio House and Senate. If you take the action suggested, please let the state office know by dropping us an e-mail: leg@lwvohio.org.

The League of Women Voters of Ohio, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.