Ohio Legislators Are Cowardly Lions

As we come to the end of the first week of limping along with a temporary budget here in Ohio, thanks to both parties having little intestinal fortitude and even less foresight, let's take a look at where we are in the debate over what to do.

On the one side, slot machines save everything, even though voters have given a thumbs-down four separate times. Way to listen to your constituency, you empty suits.

One the other hand, cutting every social safety net program to the bone, which will cause even more suffering among groups of people who endure endless pain and heartache is proposed as the alternative. After all, when the economy goes south, what better way to muddle through than to take away from those who have nothing and are powerless to fight back?

Here's a snippet from an Ohio Department of Taxation news release in 2006:

Every Ohio income tax filer will find their tax rates cut 4.2% this filing season and Tax Commissioner William W. Wilkins says the quickest way to take advantage of that tax cut is to file electronically.

“Everyone who files this year should benefit from the cut, “Wilkins said. “Those with refunds, who file online or use TeleFile, and choose direct deposit, can expect the refund back in 5-to-7 business days.”

Wilkins says people who owe tax can file early and choose to pay at a later date, (anytime through April 17th) when they file electronically. The filing deadline this year is April 17th because the traditional April 15th deadline falls on a weekend.

This year’s tax cut is the first of five scheduled as part of a cut totaling 21% or nearly $2.2 billion annually when fully phased in five years. Taxpayers with taxable income of $10,000 or less will pay no tax. The cut, and many other major tax reform initiatives, was part of the most recent state budget bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Governor Bob Taft last summer.

$2.2 billion dollars each year when fully phased in five years.

So what's the current budget gap, you ask?

$3.2 billion.

Now, I'm no financial wizard, and I understand that unemployment and the crushed economy have put a dent in tax revenue, but doesn't it make sense to reverse the 21% tax cut rather than either of the two options that seem to be running neck and neck toward the edge of the cliff?

Why has no one in a position of leadership raised their voice and championed the cause of maintaining most of the programs scheduled for massive cuts in exchange for having a sensible tax rate that is sustainable in good times and bad?

This is beginning to sound a bit like the situation in California, where Governor Ah-nold pushed through huge tax cuts that, coupled with legal requirements to balance the budget, has pushed the state over the edge to the point that they are issuing IOUs instead of paying bills.

This is irresponsible leadership on every front. The very same loudmouth windbags that are decrying the management of GM and Chrysler, and who sound off early and often about Wall Street bailouts and executive compensation are themselves failing to live up to the very same standards they are imposing on others. Is there a better example of heresy?

It's time for Republicans and Democrats to reach down like they have a pair and make the hard decisions that come with the offices they hold. Gambling isn't the answer. Punishing our weakest citizens will not suffice. Reversing a wrong-headed decision to cut tax rates 21% without thinking that the soaring economy would eventually sputter is the government equivalent of the housing bubble.

Get to work, you losers.