I have searched the sites of the three candidates running for the 53rd District - Ohio House seat and have comiled a side-by-side issue matrix. I have contacted the campaigns of each candidate and requested additional information on the areas in which were not addressed on their campaign website. Should a campaign wish to send in information after the publication of this matrix, I would be pleased to issue an update.The editors of WMD will be issuing an endorsement statement for this race early next week.
The candidates are: Paul Nenni, Tim Derickson and Terri King.
Websites
NENNI: http://www.paulnenni.com
DERICKSON: http://friendsoftimderickson.com
KING: http://www.voteterriking.com
Education
NENNI: Even though the Supreme Court found the funding system was too dependent on local property taxes resulting in substantial inequities from district to district due to the vast disparities in valuation of property between districts, local schools today are more heavily dependent on local property taxes than ever before. Legislators need to take this issue much more seriously than they have been and solve it. The residents of our State are irate at the inaction of the legislature. The people of Ohio deserve more than lip service being given to this problem. I believe we must eliminate the hardship placed on our senior citizens when new school levies increase their taxes.
DERICKSON: The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled on four occasions that Ohio’s school funding system is unconstitutional. The use of property taxes as the sole source of funding places too much of the burden on property owners.
Ensuring adequate support of schools while permitting local control is the real key. I would like to earmark a percentage of the state income tax, corporate taxes and all lottery profits for exclusive distribution to our local districts. Earmarking this money would remove it from the state budgeting process, guaranteeing these funds go directly to education, on a per capita student basis.
KING: I believe that we need to find a new way to fund our school systems, either through privatization of our school systems and giving the money to the parents to decide where there kids go to school, or perhaps a sales tax that would go into a specific fund to be divided equally between all schools.
I would also like to know where all the money that the lottery was supposed to be raising for our schools is going.
Jobs
NENNI: Since Ohio is currently ranked 46th in business tax climate according to the Tax Foundation, the only way to attract business and jobs is by lowering taxes. Its really that simple. Taxes matter to business. Taxes affect business decisions, job creation and retention, plant location etc.
DERICKSON: We must have a tax structure which is favorable to retaining and expanding business, and which can help attract new business and industry. Eliminating estate taxes and flattening income taxes are a good start to achieving this goal.
KING:
Right-to-Life
NENNI: As a devoted parent and member of the Catholic faith, Paul has always and will always fight (in a peaceful way) for the rights of the unborn child.
DERICKSON: Tim will continue his efforts of promoting Pro-Life activities. Tim and his wife Kelly are very involved with the local Pregnancy Care Center and believe every unborn life should be protected.
KING: I am pro-life.
2nd Amendment
NENNI: As a former military soldier, currently licensed for concealed carry and avid hunter, I will always protect the 2nd amendment. I favor the new Castle Doctrine and even went to Columbus to attend the committee hearing on Senate Bill 184. I believe in Thomas Jefferson’s quote after the Revolutionary War: "Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." We have too many gun laws already.
DERICKSON: We have been granted the right to bear arms and protect ourselves since our Founding Fathers endured the aggressive tactics of the British Empire. I believe this right must continue to be granted to our citizens.
KING:
Energy
NENNI: In the US, ethanol fuel produced from corn does, and can reduce the dependency for imported oil from foreign countries to a certain level. However we must be careful not to create too much of a good thing. It is not the total solution and there are many ways to reduce our dependency on oil such as wind, solar, nuclear, clean coal, etc. Research and development is key to finding solutions.
DERICKSON: Our demand and thirst for oil, 60% of which is imported from unstable governments like the Middle East and South America, continues to increase, while the Department of Energy’s budget for research has decreased 85% since 1978.
We need to strive for “Energy Independence”. Solar, nuclear and wind energy technologies are good alternatives to our current energy needs. Corn, soybeans and prairie grasses are good alternatives to our fuel needs. These are only a few examples of alternatives that will lessen our dependence on limited resources and foreign governments, satisfying our current and future energy needs.
Providing incentives (through tax relief efforts) for private investment into research of alternative fuels and renewable energy alternatives will allow us to become “Energy Independent”.
KING:
Healthcare
NENNI: The healthcare crisis is a direct result of punitive law suits brought against doctors and the overwhelming number of illegal immigrants and Medicaid recipients using the health care system for free. Tort reform and stopping illegal immigration will help but mandating health care is not the answer. I believe in publishing hospital costs and success rates for procedures performed so that the consumer knows who the best is and what the cost is.
DERICKSON: The Butler County School consortium (in which I managed for six years), has promoted affordable healthcare through the introduction of managed care options (offering negotiated discounts) and self-funding their plan to lower overhead expenses. This model can and should be duplicated to groups large enough to justify this cost saving measure. Individuals and small employers should have the privilege to associate with others to form and create these groups.
KING:
Regional Cooperation
NENNI: I think it is important for all local government to share ideas and cooperate in any way that saves taxpayer money and improves the quality of life. I favor consolidation of services whenever possible. When I served on the City Commission in Middletown, I was an active member of the Warren County Municipal League and attended many regional meetings with other city and township officials.
DERICKSON: I would encourage local governments, our cities, townships and villages to form Alliances. These alliances would allow and encourage open dialogue when planning for changes within any jurisdiction. The Northwest Butler County Regional Alliance is a successful example of an Alliance that has effectively been used as an open forum to discuss issues like housing developments (effecting roads, bridges and culverts throughout the region), local school district issues (having regional impact), and grant preparation and support for local road projects.
KING:
Illegal Immigration
NENNI: We need to get serious about illegal immigration. Stiffer penalties should be enacted to force employers who disregard the rules to stop doing business in Ohio. Law enforcement should be empowered to examine documentation on the employer's premises to prove every employee is here legally. Schools should be required to document the legal status of all students enrolled in grades K-12.
DERICKSON:
KING:
Budget, Taxes and Economy
NENNI: The General Assembly recently passed a tax reform bill that established a Commercial Activity Tax. For the first time in Ohio's history businesses are being taxed twice, once on total revenue and then again in net revenue. The CAT tax is the wrong tax and it is unfriendly to business. It should be abolished.
Ohio should conduct a thorough study of every department of state government to see where cost saving consolidation can be accomplished, make cuts, remove duplication of effort and adopt a simpler, fairer taxation system which allows Ohioans to retain more of their hard earned dollars.
We are one of 18 states that still have an inheritance tax that causes people to establish residency in Florida and other states to avoid the death tax. It needs to be abolished.
Ohio has the 5th highest state and local tax burden and is the only state that penalizes married taxpayers for trying to save money on their federal taxes. The marriage penalty in Ohio should be removed.
We need legislators who have had real world experience in the private sector and/or in community elected positions who have demonstrated the courage to make difficult decisions during difficult times.
DERICKSON:
KING: I [] believe in the government being fiscally responsible, and stop wasting our money.
I believe we are taxed too heavily and need to stop raising taxes all the time.
I believe that once a person turns 62 or the age of retirement they should not have to pay any property taxes.
Environment
NENNI: Although closing Middletown’s landfill was an example of an "unfunded mandate" by the Federal Government and cost $2.5 million, the appropriation was given top priority in order to preserve the local environment. Paul has always supported legislation that provides for the protection of our environment but will be a strong voice for us in Columbus if that legislation is unfunded or includes unfair taxation.
DERICKSON: [Endorsed by League of Conservation Voters]
KING:
Agriculture
NENNI: Paul’s wife Cecelia (Vogelsang) was raised on a farm south of Monroe. Her brothers still raise livestock and bale hay in the fields. Paul and Cecelia have horses they ride and care for. Paul is a member of the Butler County Farm Bureau and understands the need for Ohio to continue to promote a successful ranching and farming climate.
DERICKSON:
KING:
Drugs
NENNI: As a parent, Paul is concerned about the availability of illegal drugs and the impact they could have on future generations. We must ensure that our children receive the education they need to avoid the pitfalls of drug abuse. We must also maintain a strict law enforcement policy to punish the drug dealers to the fullest extent.
DERICKSON:
KING:
State Welfare (Entitlements)
NENNI: The State of Ohio currently spends nearly 40% of its budget on welfare. Medicaid assistance is spiraling out of control and needs to be reduced. Many young adults graduating from or dropping out of high school are not prepared to start a family. They can't find a job and have no health insurance but that does not deter them from having children born into the welfare system. We must provide the education and job creation necessary to stop this drain on our tax dollars.
DERICKSON:
KING:
Infrastructure
NENNI: We need to identify the need for major road construction in the 53rd District so that when business and employers look to relocate they will know that that we have a plan. I would like to identify Route 127 from I70 to Route 129 as a major highway for future construction. It would give access from I75 to I70 around Hamilton and would create a major industrial expansion in Butler County.
DERICKSON:
KING:
