BUDGET TRAINING - DAY 1  
Strickland cabinet members, experts address union leadership at budget training

March 8, 2007 - The new Tax Commissioner, a friend of OCSEA, Rich Levin addressed a packed crowd at OCSEA Headquarters today to discuss the implications of tax reform on the upcoming state budget.

> Speaker Photo Gallery - Speakers included OCSEA Executive Director Andy Douglas, Tax Commissioner Rich Levin, Budget and Management Director Pari Sabety, Policy Analyst John Corlett, and Rep. Scott Oelslager.

OCSEA Executive Director Andy Douglas and the executive officers—OCSEA President Ronald Alexander, Vice President Eddie Parks and Secretary Treasurer Kathy Stewart—welcomed a group of about 100 local leaders. They were warned of the shortfall that will only get worse in 2010 when a number of business tax and personal income tax reforms are fully phased in.

> Leader Photo Gallery - Subordinate body officers, stewards, and legislative activists gathered to learn from speakers and work in groups on budget strategies.

According to Levin’s calculations, even with the new CAT and cigarette tax, revenue is expected to increase by only 1.4 percent, less than the 2 percent rate of inflation in 2008 and only by .9 percent in 2009.
               
Levin called on OCSEA to help him in protecting revenues by preventing any new tax breaks for businesses. “Every new tax break hurts you. There are already two bills to cut the estate and inheritance taxes and there are other bills to cut various other taxes,” he said.

Other speakers—including another cabinet member, a policy expert, and a legislator—also addressed the state budget situation. See below.

See Related

Website of the Ohio Department of Taxation

Training Day 1 - OBM Director Pari Sabety: Money savings explored

Training Day 1 - Rep. Scott Oelslager talks to leaders about talking to legislators

Training Day 1 - Senior Policy Analyst, John Corlett describes budget process

Training Day 2 - Speakers talk messaging, impact of federal cuts

Photo Gallery - Check out photos of speakers and leaders