OCSEA opposes substitute budget bill, reiterates support for governor’s tax freeze

Nov. 19, 2009 - Senate Republicans yesterday rejected a plan that would provide a sensible budget fix and offered instead an irresponsible substitute version of House Bill 318. For starters, their plan ignores Ohio’s needs, increases government spending, and diverts dollars from the poor to the rich.

State employee union members who serve our communities, local schools and most needy citizens, on the other hand, know best that Ohio needs long-term budget solutions that promote economic development and protect vital public services, not more program slashing.

That’s why OCSEA supports HB 318, a budget bill that would generate $875 million to plug the state’s budget hole by delaying tax cuts that would mostly benefit wealthy Ohioans. This move would prevent additional cuts to vital services and public employee jobs.

In fact, OCSEA President Eddie L. Parks yesterday evening reinforced the union’s support of Gov. Ted Strickland’s plan to delay the last of a five-part tax cut that was implemented in 2005.

“The union stands behind the governor and the House and Senate Democrats in support of the tax cut freeze,” Parks said.  “Even Ohio's business community is in favor of the governor's simple proposal that will get us the necessary savings and get us there quickly.”

Strickland’s plan maintains income-tax rates at the current level instead of further reducing Ohio’s tax revenues. The substitute bill, however, would reduce the income tax freeze by one-third and decrease the budget fix by more than $300 million.

Parks added, “We made a commitment to the citizens of Ohio to deliver a certain level of services. The alternative proposals brought forward today would renege on that promise. Besides, most of these proposals are long-term studies that do not guarantee any cost savings.”

The Senate Republican substitute version of HB 318 does not offer good government, nor will the bill’s privatization tactics be better or cheaper for taxpayers.

OCSEA, however, has a history of working together with management to save the state billions of dollars while delivering quality services to Ohioans. In fact, labor and management already have programs and joint committees in place that promote efficient and effective government.

The Agency Review Teams and the agency cost-cutting teams are two current examples that have produced recent results in agencies such as the Ohio Departments of Job and Family Services and Rehabilitation and Corrections.

See Related

House Bill 318 as introduced

Union Budget News