Coughlin on State of the State

Release:

COLUMBUS-State Senator Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Ted Strickland's State of the State address:

"Two years and three State of the State addresses into Governor Ted Strickland's term and Ohio shows no signs of turning around. The state is adrift and nothing in today's speech gave Ohioans reason to believe that will change anytime soon.

"The governor's address was long on promises and devoid of details, particularly on how his promises will be paid for and who will pay.

"Most troubling, the governor's speech almost ignored the single most pressing issue facing Ohio's families and businesses - the downward spiraling of our economy. Ted Strickland must come to grips with this reality: It is simply too expensive for employers to create and keep jobs in Ohio."


Sen. Coughlin's comments on specific proposals:

Budget Balancing - "The governor proposes to balance the state budget by paying for ongoing expenses with a mammoth amount of one time money including a handout from the federal government. While some one-time money may be necessary, his proposal will create a huge structural imbalance in the state government and set the table for massive tax increases should he be reelected to a second term."

Medicaid Expansion - "Despite tight revenues, the governor continues his quest to get the middle class hooked on government-controlled health care. I look forward to the debate in the coming months and believe that once government gets control of your health care, it controls your life.

"The governor's Medicaid buy-in program for children has been a complete failure, with only two children enrolled. Yet, he proposes to cut state coverage to critically ill children under the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps. This is a misplaced priority."

Higher Education - "If the governor wants students to aspire to attend college, he should propose something for them to work toward and make it meaningful. In the coming days, I will introduce a scholarship plan that, if enacted, will be Ohio's most sweeping financial assistance program in history."

K-12 Education - "This portion of the speech was a severe let down from every angle. The curriculum and teacher improvement proposals represent nothing new. No indication was given as to how all day kindergarten would be paid for. And the sole offering on school funding was a proposal that will have absolutely no benefit to property taxpayers. In fact, under the Strickland proposal, homeowners will pay more as their property taxes are raised without a vote of the people. In addition, the proposal will widen the disparity between the rich and poor school districts, something we have worked hard to erase.

"Ohio's families are already paying too much for everything. The last thing they need is Ted Strickland and school districts rummaging through their pockets for more money."