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RELEASE: Adams Takes Steps to Diminish State Income Tax

Release:

COLUMBUS — State Representative John Adams (R- Sidney) today proposed legislation to continue the incremental elimination of the personal income tax.

“Ohio’s economy and taxes have a direct relationship,” said Rep. Adams. “Whether it is state or local taxes, we have a duty to act on this issue. Eliminating the income tax is the best way to spur our economy and our state’s prosperity.”

Some lawmakers seek to incrementally diminish the income tax in Ohio, while others prefer swift and sweeping changes to the tax policy. If nothing else, this bill is meant to stimulate discussions about the best way to eliminate Ohio’s income tax and alleviate the tax burden placed on Ohio’s businesses and residents.

“According to economist Eric Fisher, eliminating the income tax will have three important benefits,” Rep. Adams stated. “First, it will stem Ohio’s relative population loss. Second, it will increase the long-run rate of economic growth in this state. Third, it will encourage our best and brightest citizens to work more, benefiting their own families and our state’s economy more widely.”

Ohio is currently a high-tax state, which creates a tax burden on individuals who look to make Ohio their home. High-tax states rob citizens of economic prosperity and perpetuate outward migration of wealth and people.

Rep. Adams looks forward to working with his legislative colleagues as this bill is assigned to committee and urges leadership to commence hearings immediately.

TIB Radio: WMD Program TONIGHT

Please join us for tonight's WMD Program on TIB Radio starting at 6PM eastern.

On the program tonight:

Obama's Report Card

WMD Program Voicemails

News and Views

Open Skypeline ???

Healthcare: Better Solutions Are Out There Instead of ObamaDeathCare

From Matt's Congressman, Minority Leader, and Great American John Boehner:

With Washington Democrats’ job-killing agenda more unpopular than ever, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) outlined better solutions to tackle the immediate challenges facing the American people during the weekly GOP leadership press conference:

“It’s been a long year for the American people. We’ve seen American families and small businesses struggling all year in a very difficult economy and all that they’ve gotten from the Democrats here in Washington is more spending and more debt piled on the backs of our kids and grandkids. The American people are asking ‘where are the jobs?’ but when you begin to look at the policies being outlined by this Administration, it’s not just all the spending and the debt It’s this national energy tax which will kill jobs in America and ship them overseas. It’s their government takeover of health care.

“Republicans have offered better solutions all year long. Whether it was a budget that had a lot less spending and a lot less debt. Whether it was our ‘all of the above’ energy bill, which will give us cleaner air, cheaper energy and more energy. Our proposal on health care was a common sense way of bringing down costs and not increasing the cost of health care like the Democrats’ proposals. Our better solutions are going to continue to be brought out day after day because the American people are looking for common sense solutions to deal with the problems that they face. Republicans have been responsible in offering those policies all year and we will continue to do so in the new year.”

Editorial Says Don't Raise Taxes

I must agree with one of the commenters on this editorial: "Finally! An editorial I can agree with!" The editorial board for any of the Cox publications in Ohio (really all of Ohio's 527 media, but since I grew up reading the Dayton Daily Democrat I am most familiar with the Cox brand) typically can be counted on to take whatever socialist position the Demooratic Party wants them to take. So imagine my surprise when I see this in the Middletown Journal.

Do not raise the county’s sales tax rate, gentlemen.
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Let’s deal with the obvious first. This is a horrible time to raise taxes on families and businesses.

Critics often observe that a sales tax is a heavier burden for fixed-, middle- and low-income families because it consumes a greater percentage of their income; and more and more families already are being pushed into poverty because of high unemployment rates. A sales tax may seem like a painless way to hike taxes, but those pennies add up over time.

And pennies that go toward a higher sales tax add up to dollars that then cannot be spent in the private sector, thus stifling spending and hurting businesses. You get the picture.

Perhaps most ironic and hard to swallow is that — at a time when national Republicans are pillorying President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders over anticipated tax increases — local Republicans would consider raising taxes because they apparently lack the will or desire to reduce the size of county government. These Republicans must have forgotten the mantra of conservative icon Ronald Reagan — that lower taxes and smaller government should result in economic prosperity. Where is the outraged Tea Party crowd?
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We believe commissioners when they say they do not wish to raise the tax rate. As members of the political party that loudly espouses fiscal conservatism and limited government, they would be considered hypocrites — especially in the midst of this painful recession. And the threat of a referendum always is present, potentially taking away the anticipated revenue and putting commissioners back at square one.

Officeholders across Butler County government should demonstrate that they understand the Republican philosophy of government and exercise the kind of fiscal discipline that most families have already been forced to employ during this difficult recession. Increasing taxes is the easy action to take; instead, county officeholders must learn to live within a budget. If they cannot, we have to question the local Republican Party’s commitment to their own stated convictions. Everyone else should, too.

Emphasis added to that last paragraph because if the editorial board of the Middletown Journal understands this, it is no longer acceptable for elected Republicans "in good standing" not to grasp this very simple concept.

This is the struggle that our county -- and our party -- faces. Those of us on Central and Executive Committee have been shirking our collective responsibility in providing the electorate with solid candidates what believe in limited and smaller government. It simply can not be enough to point at the scoreboard anymore, we have to start advancing an agenda of fiscal discipline and that starts with reducing the size and scope of government right here in our own communities.

When times are good and we can afford the luxuries, I say go for it. But we must always put an eye to the future and save for rainy days like these have become. That means we have to cut back. That means we have to start questioning ALL of the spending that has been going on in this county. Quite frankly, our elected officials have let us down. It is time to remind them that their job is to serve us. They hold their jobs at the pleasure of We, the People.

Blair: Spending is Government’s Burden!

Release:

COLUMBUS—[On December 11th], State Rep. Terry Blair []introduced legislation that would put an end to the ever-growing financial waistline of the state of Ohio, tying the state’s budget to actual General Revenue Fund receipts for the previous two years.

“Since 1997, the growth of Ohio’s state government, as measured by its spending, has exceeded Ohio’s economic growth as measured by our state’s Gross Domestic Private Product,” Blair said. “To continue on this unsustainable course will lead to further troubles for the state, and it’s time the state became responsible with the taxpayers’ dollars.”

The proposed legislation would prohibit the governor from proposing and the General Assembly from enacting a budget that would exceed 97 percent of General Revenue Fund receipts from the previous two years. Furthermore, the legislation would put a stop to raiding the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund, or “rainy day” fund, by capping the amount that can be transferred to the GRF at 25 percent. The budget passed by the General Assembly in July drained the state’s rainy day fund of nearly $1 billion to help balance the state budget.

During the summer budget process, numerous estimates were given and then revised in an attempt to give legislators an idea of budgeting levels. Ohio is now faced with a budget shortfall of nearly $851 million, after Governor Strickland’s risky reliance on revenues from VLTs at racetracks was walloped by a Supreme Court decision this fall.

“We all witnessed how state government was stymied in its budgeting process as revenue forecasts were being revised downward nearly every week,” Blair said. “The present budget methodology simply does not encourage the necessary discipline to review and prioritize spending, but rather leads the government to focus on revenue by looking for new ways to tax the citizens of Ohio. The time is right to focus on spending.”

Currently, Governor Strickland’s only solution has been a retroactive tax increase, delaying the final two years of a 21 percent reduction of the state’s income tax in House Bill 318.

GUEST COLUMN: "2009: A Year In Review"

By State Rep. John Adams

With 2010 quickly approaching, I would like to take a moment to discuss the Ohio House’s performance during this General Assembly. One of the most difficult years we’ve experienced in decades, 2009 was marked by record unemployment, tax increases and billion-dollar deficits. And to top it all off was the passage of an unsustainable, inherently flawed budget that has left many Ohioans without vital services and has succeeded in pushing jobs out of state.

In July, the $50.5 billion state budget passed the Legislature and was signed by Governor Strickland. This budget increased biennial spending by $2 billion at a time when spending should have been drastically reduced, and it also relied on more than $7 billion in one-time funds for long-term projects. Once this short-term money runs dry, taxpayers could see massive tax increases and devastating cuts to public services.

State revenues dropped $2 billion in just two years, and I believe that when revenues drop, state government should shrink to fit the economy. Unfortunately, the budgeting mistakes of this General Assembly will make balancing the next biennial budget extremely difficult, and for that reason it is important to take immediate cost-saving measures to alleviate some of the burden later.

In February, I introduced House Bill 25, a government consolidation measure to restructure our state agencies through reorganization and streamlining of services. This bill would examine each funding item and make our government efficient and accountable to the taxpayers, while improving the care and services that so many Ohioans rely on. If enacted, House Bill 25 can save the taxpayers $1 billion each year by producing a more cost-effective government.

I have faith that this legislation could be a viable alternative to tax increases. However, House Bill 25 has only received one committee hearing after remaining idle for nearly a year while our economy and families suffer. I hope to see this bill receive additional hearings during the second half of the General Assembly so we can finally improve our government structure.

Additionally, I co-sponsored House Bill 240, introduced by Representative Barbara Sears, to locate fraud, waste and abuse within the Medicaid system. Ohio’s Medicaid system is 40 percent costlier than the national average, and for this reason I think we need to fully understand the out-of-control growth of this system. House Bill 240 would repair inefficiencies while ensuring that each Medicaid funding item is working effectively. This bill could save the taxpayers $122 million each year, but it has sat idle in committee since its introduction and has not even been allowed sponsor testimony.

This difficult economy can serve as a catalyst for improvements to our state structure. Now more than ever, Ohioans are demanding that their elected leaders use their money wisely and budget just as carefully as their families have done. I have witnessed leaders in charge of setting policy in Columbus follow a “business as usual” plan that does nothing to change Ohio’s downward spiral. They are spending money like we have it, and believe me, we don’t. We have introduced nearly sixty bills that would help the business climate in Ohio only to have them shelved by the Speaker of the House. We have an opportunity to fix Ohio’s broken economy not just in the short-term, but for years to come by lowering the tax burden and attracting jobs.

I hope that 2010 will bring a cooperative legislative environment here in the Ohio House, and I will continue to fight for responsible economic policies.

Brown County GOP Update 12/10/09

The Brown County GOP Central Committee met at Gepetto's Italian Grill last night. The meeting started at 7pm and I arrived at 7:20pm. Among the items up for discussion were endorsement policy, Lincoln Day, and getting geared up to get out the vote.

The first item was the endorsement policy. The rules as last amended had stated that the party would not endorse in national elected offices. This was done during the presidential primary season so as not to fracture the party, but it could be interpreted that we would not endorse in either a US House or Senate race, so this rule was amended to say that the Central Committee may now endorse on any issue or race but not the Presidential primary races. This now allows the CC to endorse issues, like the recently passed Issue 2 dealing with agriculture and animal husbandry.

The meeting went on to discuss changing the Central committee terms to 4 years as opposed to their current two years. This passed as well. Before anyone says, see, trying to grab power, the Democrats had already done this way before the GOP.

Lincoln Day was discussed and some preliminary plans were made. The celebration will take place sometime during the last two weeks in February. More details will be announced when they are concrete.

Bill Herdmann and Mariah Votel announced their plans for full participation and victory in 2010. Details were given and are easy to follow and with following will produce continued excellence for the party in the future.

Nominees for party awards were taken.

Rick Eagan's condition was discussed and a card was passed around to be sent to him. Also, Mrs. Cahall, who fell and injured herself at the Christmas party, had a card sent to her as well.

Lastly, Paul asked for people to be county chairs for some of the candidates. It should be noted that the only candidate that NO ONE AT ALL expressed interest in assisting was failed US Senator and current AG candidate Mike DeWine. ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION COLUMBUS?????

John Kasich has great representation for his county chair, as do Josh Mandel, Rob Portman, Jean Schmidt, Mary Taylor and I believe also Dave Yost, as well as Robin Piper and Rachel Hutzel. Jon Husted, I believe was not mentioned as needing a county chair. DeWine had asked for one but NO ONE ATTENDING OF THE QUORUM was interested.

Note to State Central Committee: Endorse Yost Today

Dear State Central Committee,

I am posting this message to you today to encourage you to do the right thing and endorse Dave Yost for Attorney General at today's meeting. Yost has secured the endorsement of 70% of Ohio's Republican prosecutors. He is a man of integrity and values. He is proncipled. He is a leader. Most importantly, he is the right man for the job.

Please do the right thing TODAY.

Sincerely,
MATT

Note to WMD readers: Today would be a really good day to contact your state central committee man and woman and let them know that you want them to endorse Dave Yost for Attorney General.

A Season of Thankfulness

As I have not posted anything in many months, I wanted to inform and update the status of what has been going on with me in the recent past. As many of you know I have been struggling with some health issues and have been working to regain some semblance of health and vitality.



While I am not there yet, I am much better and have a profound sense of gratitude for it. I am grateful for the many cards and letters and phone calls received and I know that many people are able to separate the personal from the political. Not all, but most can!



On Monday, I was fortunate enough to have my fourth surgery of the year. Of course, this one didn't hurt as much as the other ones and it has restored vision in one of my eyes. That is one reason I find myself typing away at the keyboard being able to see what I type, how amazing it is when they remove a cataract!



The other day, I read through my cloudy eyes, that someone couldn't find anything to be thankful for. I was wondering what it took to make someone grateful. Was it a positive cash flow, great business success, super health? I then realized that some folks can never be thankful for what they have because they live in a fantasy world beset by pure selfishness! If you can't be thankful, at least don't be a putz about it.



This political season has seen a lot of turbulence and ups and downs. Of course, there are some who live for the opportunity to mix things up and more power to them if that is how they get their jollies. I am interested in seeing how it all turns out and after the first of the year, look for things to start jumping around here. I predict that there will be a sense of change in the air and that we will see more people getting involved. I look forward to working with new people and I am excited about what the future holds.



To my many friends and my family, thank you again for standing by me. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

GUEST COLUMN: "Keeping the Grinch Out of Christmas"

By Rachel Hutzel

As the holidays approach, busy shoppers head to the mall looking for good deals. Meanwhile, thieves are looking for the opportunity to steal your wallet or purse. The most obvious example is the pickpocket who smoothly slips your wallet from your back pocket while you’re busy picking out a gift, and then blends back into the crowd.

Less slick, but very common, is the thief who cruises the parking lot waiting for you to leave your purse in your shopping cart while you load your Christmas gifts into your car. Many of them don’t even leave their cars – they pull up beside your shopping cart, grab your purse, and make a swift getaway. Secure your purse in your car before you unload your purchases. Lock your purchases in your car trunk while you’re in the mall, too. Always exercise caution in entering a dark parking lot or parking garage.

Many busy shoppers opt for making their purchases on-line instead of dealing with a crowded mall. But thieves are on-line, too. Make sure that you use a secure website before you hand over your credit information, and use a credit card with a good fraud policy. Secure websites will clearly advertise their security measures on their web page. Be sure you check out those measures fully.

It’s always a good idea to save receipts in case you have to return purchases after the holidays. Those receipts also help you check your credit card bill for accuracy when it arrives in the financial aftermath of the holidays. Identity thieves are quite adept at getting their hands on your credit information, and using it before you get wise to them. Check your credit card bill carefully this January. After you get over the shock of the bottom line, make sure those are all your purchases. And report any discrepancies to your credit card company and law enforcement immediately.

There are also scam artists out there who intend to take advantage of your generosity over the holidays. Don’t stop being generous, but make sure you become familiar with a charity before you sign that check. Never write a check to a person collecting for a charity – write the check to the charity itself. Some scam artists will claim to represent a legitimate charity but will divert your contribution to themselves if you make the check out to them. Never give the person soliciting for charity personal information such as your credit card number until you have checked them out. Don’t be afraid to ask for their credentials.

With a little caution, this holiday season can be a happy celebration for you and your family. Happy Holidays from your Warren County Prosecutor.

US SEN GOP Update: Portman vs. Ganley on National Security

CongressDaily ran a couple articles on Ohio's US Senate race yesterday. Here is one of the pieces that need some scrutiny. Take notice that there’s been complete radio silence from Mr. Ganley on the President’s decision regarding Afghanistan.

When asked about his credentials on foreign and military affairs, Ganley said, "I certainly have experience in the real world," and added that he is "willing" to develop a background on international and defense matters. "No one's perfect on every issue," he said.

Now, while I’m all for people learning new things, I think we’re seeing -- in the White House, no less -- just how serious the consequences are when it comes to on-the-job training for national security and defense issues. It ain't pretty, folks.

Here is Rob Portman's statement:

“I agree with President Obama’s decision to follow the advice of his military commanders and deploy 30,000 additional troops in Afghanistan. Our national security is at stake, as Afghanistan remains the central front in the Global War on Terror. However, I disagree with an exit strategy that includes arbitrary withdrawal dates that will embolden our enemies.”

As regular WMD readers (and especially listeners of the radio show) will know, I have been critical of Team Portman in the past for not being on the ball on relevant current events and issues; but Rob has gotten the job done here and his assessment is absolutely correct.

UPDATE: Unrelated side issue -- campaign funding. On this topic, the last sentence is worth examining:

Opponents question the liquidity of his assets, but he said all he has to do is "write a check."

My response: What is he waiting for? Does he want the gig or not?

Butler County Update: The Ironical Edition

While checking in with Intrepid Reporter Josh on the Rawnica story below, I couldn't help but see the story beneath it that asks the question: "Should sales tax hike be on table as county struggles with budget?"

Not only NO...but HELL NO!!!

Of course, you all expected that to be my answer...and that's not why I wanted to bring this up. The reason I highlight this particular post is there is this knee-slapper from Democrat Don Dixon:

Commission President Donald Dixon disagreed, saying any increased revenues would “just get lost in a big, black hole,”

“Quite frankly, I think our spending has been out of control,” he said.

I can hear you already... "But, Matt, he agrees with you."

Uhh...no. He doesn't.

At least, not in reality. He'll say things like this to Intrepid Reporter Josh because Democrat Don Dixon knows that saying things like this will keep him in office even though he hasn't said a word about what he would cut in the budget. He hasn't a word for his buddy Sheriff Rick "Spotlight" Jones and Prosecutor Robin the Pied Piper. Jones' department alone accounts for about 30% of the county's budget and both of these guys have said they are done cutting.

I know that Commissioner Furmon has sent back 10% of his salary. What has Democrat Don Dixon done?

Commissioner "Democrat" Don Dixon, my advice to you is to pay attention to the age old axiom that ACTIONS are louder than WORDS. We've seen the expelling of hot air, now let's see you do something about it.

Rawnica Arrested Again -- BadCheckGate II: Electric Bugaloo

Rawnica's Campaign Sign, welcome back to WMD.




...





So...I hear that you are, once again, in legal trouble.




...





Any comment?




...





Nothing at all to say about passing bad checks... Again.




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The silence speaks for itself.




...

And now...the Dancing Snoopys!!!



This is the time on WMD when we DANCE!

UPDATE:




Next time somebody questions me about secret cabals and how dangerous they are, just remember that there were folks who actually wanted this woman to be a county commissioner.

ObamaCare Negative Effects on States--Passing on the Expenses to YOU!

Obamacare supporters keep talking about how they will manage costs and money spent by the federal government. One way to do that will be to place HUGE AND UNSUSTAINABLE burdens on states regarding medicaid eligibility. Check out this info from dickmorris.com:

The “health-care reform” bills in Congress would hit 39 states hard with new expenses, by raising Medicaid eligibility above the current income cutoffs.

The only states that won’t have to raise eligibility because of the Senate bill are Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin (plus the District of Columbia). And the House bill would force even Massachusetts and Vermont to pay more.


Hardest hit would be Texas ($2,750 million a year in extra state spending under the Senate bill), Pennsylvania ($1,450 million), California ($1,428 million) and Florida ($909 million). Who knows if Florida could avoid imposing an income tax if it has to meet so high an unfunded mandate?

Landreiu: May vote to impose massive Medicaid costs on her state.

Landreiu: May vote to impose massive Medicaid costs on her state.

The required increases in state spending are likely to be quite high in some states whose senators are swing votes on ObamaCare:

* In Arkansas, home to swing Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, the annual increased state spending would come to $402 million (not counting the federal share) — about a 10 percent increase in the state budget, which is now $4 billion a year.

* In Louisiana, whose Sen. Marie Landrieu sold her vote on a key procedural motion in return for more Medicaid funding, the increase would come to $432 million (a 5 percent hike in state spending) — more than wiping out the extra funds she got in return for her vote.

* In Sen. Evan Bayh’s Indiana, spending would go up by $586 million a year, a rise of 4 percent.

* In Sen. Ben Nelson’s Nebraska, the added state spending would be $81 million a year, a 2 percent increase.

The Sebate ObamaCare bill would cost North Dakota, home of Sens. Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan, $14 million. South Dakota, represented by Sen. Tim Johnson, would have to boost Medicaid spending by $33 million.

The Medicaid-expansion provisions of the Senate bill are complex. In the first year of the program (2013), states must enroll anyone who earns less than 133 percent of the poverty level in their programs. For a family of four, the national average poverty level in 2009 is $22,000 a year. So any family that size that makes less than $29,000 would be eligible for Medicaid.

Many states, particularly in the South, actually have Medicaid cutoffs below the poverty level. Arkansas, for example, cuts off its Medicaid eligibility at only 17 percent of poverty level, and in Louisiana it goes up to only 26 percent. For these states, the spending increase required by the new bill is huge.

For the first three years of the program (2013-15) the federal government would pay for all of the costs of the Medicaid expansion. But, starting in the fourth year of operation — 2016 — the average state would be obliged to pay 10 percent of the extra cost.

For Democratic governors, this provision means sudden death. Particularly in states with limited Medicaid coverage, it would require huge tax increases.

Yes, the federal government will be passing on the debt to the states, who will pass it along to you in the form of more fees and taxes. Woohoo!

So, the question is, how much will state taxes go up? Again, I turn to Dick Morris:

The Obama health care initiative will be the biggest unfunded federal mandate on the states in history. It will force dozens of states, particularly in the South, to abandon their low tax ways and to move toward dramatically higher rates of taxation. It may even force Florida and Texas to impose an income tax!

In the Senate version of the bill, states must expand their Medicaid eligibility to cover everyone with an income that is 133% of the poverty level. The House bill brings it up to 150%. But a host of states have kept their state taxes low precisely by so limiting eligibility for Medicaid that it essentially is only for seniors needing long term care and not for poor younger people who require acute care.
For the first three years of the program (2013-2015) the federal government would pay for all of the costs of the Medicaid expansion. But, starting in the fourth year of operation — 2016 – states would be obliged to pay 10% of the extra cost.

While Obama has often spoken about how he won’t raise taxes on the middle class, his health care legislation will require the governors to do so. Particularly in those states with Democratic governors, it is easy to see how the backlash against these new taxes could fundamentally alter state politics.
STATE SPENDING INCREASES IN MEDICAID REQUIRED BY SENATE HEALTH BILL

Alabama = 394 million

Alaska = 39 million

Arizona = 217 million

Arkansas = 402 million

California = 1,428 million
Indiana = 586 million

Kentucky = 199 million

Michigan = 570 million

Ohio = 399 million

Think it sucks to live and work and run a business in Ohio now? Imagine when these tax hikes take effect!!!!

OMG! If Stimulus Employment Projections So Far Off, What About Healthcare Spending Projections?

The White House has said that Obamacare will be deficit neutral. There have been various projections for the spending of money for the various bills in Congress under the blanket of Obamacare. However, one has to greatly question the validity or sanity of believing such numbers, given their horrendous estimates of what would happen with the stimulus in terms of employment vs. what might have happened without it. Jake Tapper nailed Press Schlubertary Bobby Gibbs on it:

TAPPER: In January, Dr. Romer, representing your incoming administration, put out a paper talking about the need for the stimulus package. And in it, she anticipated unemployment rates without the stimulus package basically where they are right now. In other words, it was a -- I don't want to call it a rosy scenario, but it was a more optimistic projection than what turned out to be. Are you guys...

GIBBS: What was the -- I don't -- I...

TAPPER: She predicted that the unemployment rate was, right now, would be what it actually is if the stimulus package didn't pass.

GIBBS: Right.

TAPPER: So my question is knowing that, being able to look at what the projections were in January and see that they're actually there -- slightly more optimistic than reality has proven...

GIBBS: Well...

TAPPER: Do you think...

GIBBS: Go ahead.

TAPPER: Well, do you think that there needs to be more action taken on stimulating the economy now that the rubber has met the road, so to speak?

GIBBS: Well, I think, to some degree, that curve, at least in the short term, the scenarios might well as easily matched each other based on the notion that when those figures were made, I think, in many ways, for a December meeting that the transition had to lay out a plan for developing that recovery, I think the bill did not get signed into law until -- if I remember -- the 12th or so of February.

I think, obviously, it's going to take some time to get that spending into the bloodstream of the American economy. That having been said, I think -- as you saw the president yesterday give people a progress report on the ability to get that money into the economy quickly, to do it in a way that was ahead of schedule and under budget, particularly, in highway and road projects, which are not terms you generally see within a few words of a highway project.

But I think the president is encouraged that the spending and the recovery plan are kicking in. Dr. Romer said this morning and I said yesterday that we're likely to see many more months of hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. I don't think -- I don't think anybody's under the illusion that, particularly, as it relates to the employment statistics or the employment market, that we're going to see an instantaneous turn around.

But the president and Dr. Romer and the entire economic team are pleased that we've taken steps to address the downturn in demand, to do that in a way that they believe will save or create three and a half million jobs and move from recession to recovery. I think the president expanded on that today by discussing, again, what he believes has to be done in order to lay a strong foundation for continued long-term economic growth, which is the goal.

TAPPER: If I could just do a follow-up on something you just said that the president said yesterday when announcing the 2,000th project as part of the transportation stimulus dollars. How many of those have actually started? I recognize it's 2,000 projects have been approved. But how many have actually started?

GIBBS: I can certainly look for a number. I think what we highlighted was the fact that you've got bids that are coming in. You've got the acceptance of a bid. But I can get exact numbers in terms of how much ground has actually been broken.

Remember, we all heard that we cannot debate the stimulus, we cannot discuss or refine. We must act now so we can keep 8% unemployment. Their chart said that unemployment would not go above 8% if we passed the stimulus. Well, maybe they labelled the chart backwards because we are more in a position for their forecasts of no stimulus. And all Gibbs and Team Big Lie can say is "wait for it, wait for it." Come on now. Gibbs's verbal diarrhea leads us to some key conclusions:
1) By their own estimation, the stimulus isn’t working as planned: The administration’s own estimates said that if the stimulus would pass, the unemployment rate would never rise above 8%. Its peak would be around 7.9% around the end of the year. Well…It’s at over 10 to 17 percent already, and slated to rise even more....
2) By their own estimation, the stimulus might be making things worse: The administration’s report showed that the unemployment rate would be about 8.1% right now if we had done NOTHING. So, it’s either that the stimulus plan is actually making things worse, or the economy is significantly worse than they thought.
3) What does this do to their estimates?: If their economic prognosis was this far off, this soon, what does this do to their deficit estimates 6 or 8 years out? They already were very ugly, but doesn’t this make them far worse?

Now, they do admit that there are high levels of uncertainty in their estimates–but this is the scenario that they’ve planned for. It’s early proof that the charges of “rosy scenarios” were correct.



Now who’s ready for their universal healthcare estimates?

Obama's Apology Tour Has Done Nothing But Weaken America

Barack Obama's bowing, IPod giving, I'm a Citizen of the world, taking Michelle out on expensive dates on your dime, America Sucks and We're Sorry Apology tour has done nothing but add to the national debt and erode confidence and respect for the strength of our country. While Obama has been apologizing to the likes of Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Japan, and others, while flipping the bird to our allies in Polnd and elsewhere; nothing has come good of his globetrotting. He can't even get an Olympics with Oprah's help! Iran is laughint at us, continuing to build up nuke techonology. North Korea ignores us unless a Clinton photo op is promised. Don't just take it from me. Check this out from the WSJ:

'He talks too much," a Saudi academic in Jeddah, who had once been smitten with Barack Obama, recently observed to me of America's 44th president. He has wearied of Mr. Obama and now does not bother with the Obama oratory.

He is hardly alone, this academic. In the endless chatter of this region, and in the commentaries offered by the press, the theme is one of disappointment. In the Arab-Islamic world, Barack Obama has come down to earth.

He has not made the world anew, history did not bend to his will, the Indians and Pakistanis have been told that the matter of Kashmir is theirs to resolve, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the same intractable clash of two irreconcilable nationalisms, and the theocrats in Iran have not "unclenched their fist," nor have they abandoned their nuclear quest.
There is little Mr. Obama can do about this disenchantment. He can't journey to Turkey to tell its Islamist leaders and political class that a decade of anti-American scapegoating is all forgiven and was the product of American policies—he has already done that. He can't journey to Cairo to tell the fabled "Arab street" that the Iraq war was a wasted war of choice, and that America earned the malice that came its way from Arab lands—he has already done that as well. He can't tell Muslims that America is not at war with Islam—he, like his predecessor, has said that time and again.

It was the norm for American liberalism during the Bush years to brandish the Pew Global Attitudes survey that told of America's decline in the eyes of foreign nations. Foreigners were saying what the liberals wanted said.

Now those surveys of 2009 bring findings from the world of Islam that confirm that the animus toward America has not been radically changed by the ascendancy of Mr. Obama. In the Palestinian territories, 15% have a favorable view of the U.S. while 82% have an unfavorable view. The Obama speech in Ankara didn't seem to help in Turkey, where the favorables are 14% and those unreconciled, 69%. In Egypt, a country that's reaped nearly 40 years of American aid, things stayed roughly the same: 27% have a favorable view of the U.S. while 70% do not. In Pakistan, a place of great consequence for American power, our standing has deteriorated: The unfavorables rose from 63% in 2008 to 68% this year.

Damn, and Barry worked so hard to pronounce it Pahhh-kee-stahn.

We had once taken to the foreign world that quintessential American difference—the belief in liberty, a needed innocence to play off against the settled and complacent ways of older nations. The Obama approach is different.

Steeped in an overarching idea of American guilt, Mr. Obama and his lieutenants offered nothing less than a doctrine, and a policy, of American penance. No one told Mr. Obama that the Islamic world, where American power is engaged and so dangerously exposed, it is considered bad form, nay a great moral lapse, to speak ill of one's own tribe when in the midst, and in the lands, of others.

Right here is proof Obama is not a Muslim, he doesn't know how they think over there. So see, he isn't a Muslim. But, such an abject ignorance of the psychology of a region belies a certain arrogance about the certainty of one's own self loathing for one's own country, does it not? But let's look at Iran....

Mr. Obama could not make up his mind: He was at one with "the people" and with the rulers who held them in subjugation. The people of Iran who took to the streets this past summer were betrayed by this hapless diplomacy—Mr. Obama was out to "engage" the terrible rulers that millions of Iranians were determined to be rid of.

On Nov. 4, on the 30th anniversary of the seizure of the American embassy in Tehran, the embattled reformers, again in the streets, posed an embarrassing dilemma for American diplomacy: "Obama, Obama, you are either with us or with them," they chanted. By not responding to these cries and continuing to "engage" Tehran's murderous regime, his choice was made clear. It wasn't one of American diplomacy's finest moments.

It is obvious that when it comes to expanding liberty, Obama will not even vote present.

Mr. Obama has himself to blame for the disarray of his foreign policy. American arms had won a decent outcome in Iraq, but Mr. Obama would not claim it—it was his predecessor's war. Vigilance had kept the American homeland safe from terrorist attacks for seven long years under his predecessors, but he could never grant Bush policies the honor and credit they deserved. He had declared Afghanistan a war of necessity, but he seems to have his eye on the road out even as he is set to announce a troop increase

Check out the whole thing....

Obama's Big Afghan Speech: What's Missing?

Here is a link to the full text of Der Dithering One's Afghan speech. There is something very important missing, something crucially important to the well being of our troops and the outcome of the Afghan war. It is a single word. Can you guess what it is? It is a 7 letter word.

V I C T O R Y

Either you are in this to win it, or you bring the boys home. If you are not trying to win the war and have victory, then there is no point. Obama is trying hard to get America to screw another generation of American soldiers.

WMD Cares About Team Mike DeWine: Some Help

In our effort to show that we truly do care, Team WMD has decided to extend a hand to Team Mike DeWine for AG by suggesting some campaign slogans to help Mark Weaver as he takes over as new head political consultant for Mike the Fink.

Mike DeWine--Not Wiser, Just Older

Mike DeWine--Hey, At least as State Attorney General, He Can't Screw the Whole Country Like He Did in the Senate

Mike DeWine for Attorney General--He'll Respect and Defend Ohio Law, Just like He did in the Senate....ok, maybe not.

Mike DeWine--He's For Gay Rights but Not Gun Rights

Mike DeWine--Keep Him Off the Welfare Rolls

Mike DeWine--He'll Ask His Daughter Before Making any Key Decision

Mike DeWine--Oil and Gas Exploration? Who Needs That!

Mike DeWine--Real Libs Wear Flannel

Mike DeWine--Same Old Guy, But with New Campaign Promises (Conceal/Carry Reciprocity) to break

Mike DeWine--If you Vote for Me, Serenades from the Barbershop Quartet for Everybody

Mike DeWine--If you vote for me, I promise I will quit sending out annoying recipe suggestions from my wife

Mike DeWine--As Conservative as I Need to Be...Until I Take the Oath

Mike DeWine--I'll Defend and Protect Ohio Law with the Same Respect I have for Campaign Law

Vote for Mike DeWine, It'll Make Cousin Kevin So Happy

and finally....

A Vote For Mike DeWine is a Vote for the good ol Days of George Voinovich and Bob Taft! Happy Days are Here again!

DeWine Firing and Hiring: What's Next to Go? The Barbershop Quartet?

Mike DeWine's big comeback appears to be in trouble. The Ohio blogosphere is abuzz with confirmed reports that Mike the Fink has fired his political consultant, Jon Seaton. Who is Jon Seaton? Well, he was a DC based consultant who was a former national field director for failed presidential candidate John McCain. He will be leaving the DeWine campaign at the end of the year. One wonders why this magical pairing has separated? Could Mikey not be able to afford paying Seaton's bill? Could Seaton have realized the Fink is dead in the water? Is Mike cutting costs to keep the barbershop quartet going?

Isn't it telling, however, that Mike's big consultant was DC based, and not Ohio based? I wonder if Seaton ever came to Ohio? I wonder if he ever made any trips through Ohio? Mikey sure doesn't seem to be campaigning too much. He just wants everyone to come to him and suck up some free ice cream and somehow that is supposed to make his miserable failure of a tenure in the Senate go away. He has not been asking for votes. In fact, he hasn't even asked people to be on his mailing lists. No, instead he just took his old McCain mailing lists and automatically ASSumed they would be followers of him. Same old arrogance. Same old Mike DeWine.

Stepping into the breach as Mike the Fink's chief political consultant will be the all seeing all knowing campaign sign hating Mark Weaver. I know, I know, this is amazing. This is the same guy who lifted slightly less liberal Betty Montgomery on his spindly shoulders and engineered her victory....FIFTEEN YEARS AGO. Woohoo! Way to be on the cutting edge Mikey boy! Weaver has some great people working for him, even if he is an arrogant, self serving egomaniac, though he is talented.

Look, it doesn't matter who Mike the Fink gets. He doesn't think he should campaign. He thinks he should be coronated. How much real travelling and shoe leather has he worn out? Not as much as Dave Yost.

Dave has also worked very hard at winning the hearts and minds of Ohioans. He has attended 46 Lincoln Day Dinners, visited over 60 counties and is endorsed by more than 70 percent of Ohio’s GOP county prosecutors. Dave also writes frequently on his blog, letting his views be known. Mike DeWine has mostly just talked to special interest groups and party insiders. Dave Yost has been pounding the pavement.

Let's review a little bit about Mike DeWine, shall we:

_Part of the Old Guys Club and Bob Bennett Cabal
Failed to support drilling in Alaska (ANWR). Domestic energy exploration is critical to national security and the economy.

· Failed to support 2nd Amendment rights (Endorsed by the Brady Campaign.) And named to the top 10 list of anti-gun senators by Human Events.

o Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)

o Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)

o Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)

o Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)

o Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)

o Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)

· Failed to support conservative judges by joining the gang of 14 who supported the Democrat filibusters. Several conservative appellate court nominees “got thrown under the bus” (Miguel Estrada, Charles Pickering, Carolyn Kuhl, and Fourth Circuit Court nominee Terrence Boyle).

· Failed to support the 2004 Ohio Marriage Amendment.

· Failed to recognize that his support for the McCain–Feingold Act would lead to the creation of left-wing monsters such as Moveon.org.

· Failed to recognize that his support for Hate Crime legislation makes “wrong thinking” and real criminal acts, crimes.

· Failed to recognize that his support for a federal minimum wage hike would lead to higher unemployment.

· Failed to support repealing the federal 55 MPH speed limit.

· Failed to retain his US Senate seat.

· Failed to keep up in the fund raising race with Dave Yost. (DeWine $39,500; Yost $42,727)

(information from several sources including the Becker Report)
And let's not forget his campaign already has shown a disdain for the law:

_He failed to list his campaign treasurer on his original website when he announced for the campaign (from RightOhio)
_According to Mike DeWine’s campaign report, DeWine gladly accepted a $1000 donation from Michael R Heaphy MD, a Medicaid provider from Lima. Ohio Revised Code prohibits campaign contributions from Medicaid Providers to candidates for Attorney General:

3599.45 Candidates prohibited from accepting contributions from Medicaid providers.

(A) No candidate for the office of attorney general or county prosecutor or such a candidate’s campaign committee shall knowingly accept any contribution from a provider of services or goods under contract with the department of job and family services pursuant to the medicaid program of Title XIX of the “Social Security Act,” 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C. 301, as amended, or from any person having an ownership interest in the provider.

As used in this section “candidate,” “campaign committee,” and “contribution” have the same meaning as in section 3517.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

Effective Date: 07-01-2000

And then there is the quickness with which they respond to issues, like say the sitting attorney general DICK Cordray deciding to defend the hacks who used their government jobs and access to dig up dirt on Joe the Plumber, not to mention their web presence. For this analysis, I go to Tom Blumer at Bizzyblog:

Yost, at his web site (excerpted; read the whole thing; bold after title is mine):

Lowering the Price of Perfidy

The taxpayer-funded defense of three rogue state workers who invaded Joe the Plumber’s privacy sends the wrong message to other state workers: don’t worry, we’ll take care of you if you get caught. It’s more than just an individual wrong: it degrades our government and encourages bad behavior.

…. The attorney general has a duty to defend state workers who are sued.

…. But the law lets the attorney general off the hook when state workers go rogue. When the worker is doing stuff that’s not part of the job – say, searching for politically embarrassing material in confidential government databases – the attorney general “shall not” represent them. The same rule applies for workers who act with malice, or recklessly. No free legal defense.

“Shall not” is not my phrase – it’s what the law says.

When a state worker makes a mistake, the government should defend them. Mistakes happen — but what happened to Joe the Plumber wasn’t a mistake. It was a deliberate act, with an attempted cover-up.

…. The threat of big trouble and legal bills is a deterrent to such bad behavior, and it should be. A free, taxpayer-funded defense lowers the price of perfidy for others who would loyally do the dirty work of their political masters. That price doesn’t need to be lowered — it’s low enough already.

DeWine, at his web site:

….. ….. ….. …..

The story’s three days old. Where’s Mike?

Yeah, he commented on Cordray’s move in the DDN article:

“These people violated the privacy of an Ohio citizen and they did it, it would appear, to advance a partisan political campaign, and I think taxpayers will be shocked to find that their tax dollars are going to defend them,” said Mike DeWine of Cedarville, the former U.S. senator and Greene County prosecutor.

But so did Yost:

“It’s an outrageous use of taxpayer money to defend the invasion of a citizen’s privacy.”

Yost even does the sound-bite thing better than DeWine, who supposedly has had years of practice.

DeWine has begun the process of receiving what from all appearances will be serial spankings at county endorsement meetings; the first of what I expect will be many was administered by Butler County last week (BizzyBlog coverage and commentary is here). Yost got the county’s endorsement by a 68%-32% margin.

DeWine’s virtual non-presence on the web (a home page, a bio, and a PDF of his candidacy announcement) contrasts sharply with Yost’s frequently-updated, well-presented effort.

Yost has been following the state employee-orchestrated Joe the Plumber perfidy almost since it began and campaigning aggressively while carrying out his prosecutorial duties in Delaware County. DeWine has been virtually silent and schmoozing big-bucks people (not very successfully, as I understand it) while teaching a college course or two. I think that’s a precursive indicator of who will work harder as a sensible, principled conservative representing the interests of the Buckeye State’s citizens.

Well, Mark, good luck with salvaging the coronation gone awry.

Liberal Patriotism: West Point is Now an Enemy Camp

Chris Matthews is a disgusting human being. Not only did he used to have intern sandwiches with the deceased drunken vehicular manslaughterer Ted Kennedy, but he considers the military academy at West Point as "an enemy camp." He did it last night before Obama's speech about the "quasi" surge in Afghanistan.
Check it out:



This is liberal patriotism. The home of our future officers is an enemy camp. Terrorism is man caused disasters.

Who is writing for Matthews now, Gaffe-tastic Joe Biden?

This guy gets a tingle down his leg when Der Chosen One speaks but can't respect West Point?

Good news is that only 5 people saw it because it was on MSNBC.

Buckeye Institute Tackling ObamaCare and Union Control of Wages

Our friends at the Buckeye Institute are amazing. They are like a state focused Heritage Foundation, looking at policy from a conservative point of view and showing the fallacies of big government, wasteful spending, and bloated budgets. There are a couple of fascinating articles that recently came out you might want to take a look at. The first deals with some of the negative effects of Obamacare on Ohioans. Here is an excerpt:

In 2008, there were 1.1 million Ohioans without health insurance. All these individuals face fines if they do not obtain coverage. Certainly some will obtain insurance as a result of Medicaid expansion or the health insurance subsidies under this plan but there would be some who would not.

What is often overlooked in the discussion of the uninsured is that many choose to go without insurance. In 2008, there were 272,000 Ohioans who live in families making at least three times the poverty level who were uninsured. These families could presumably purchase some form of health insurance if they wanted. They chose to go without for whatever reason. Under the plans moving through Congress, they will be forced to buy a product they presumably do not want or pay high fines. Either way, this legislation will cost them.

Other Ohioans would be targeted for punitive taxes under the both the Senate and House health care bills. There are over 76,000 households that make over $200,000. Many of these would be subject to a new income surtax. The men and women in this income group are business owners and other members who are a vital part of Ohio's economy. Their productivity will be penalized if this legislation becomes law.

Not only would many Ohioans be paying higher federal taxes, this federal legislation will also likely mean state taxes will need to be raised. Both House and Senate bills mandate that the state Medicaid program be expanded, which could mean as many as 519,000 new enrollees in this state. While the federal government would pay much of the cost for this expansion, state taxpayers would be required to fund part of it. One estimate puts that cost at $922 million over five years. With the governor and legislators struggling to find ways to balance the current state budget, it seems likely this new burden will mean even higher state taxes.

Ohioans will also be paying the price of these bills far into the future, as it is almost certain the legislation will add to the deficit. While proponents of the bills moving through Congress say they are "deficit-neutral," independent analyses question this. The only way to assume these bills won't add to the deficit is if the new health care spending stays within projections (something that rarely happens) and that Congress makes the promised future cuts in Medicare (something Congress has repeatedly refused to do).

Go read the whole thing.

The second article deals with possible changes in the prevailing wage laws in Ohio. Developers are asking a Franklin County court to strike down Ohio's prevailing-wage law, saying it is unconstitutional to allow labor unions to determine wages paid on public construction jobs. In a great article, the Institute reports on why ending the prevailing wage law will be a good thing. Here is an excerpt:

The intended purpose of the prevailing wage law is to keep government construction projects from depressing local wages. Its real effect, though, is to increase the cost of these projects to taxpayers since by mandating higher wages than would otherwise be paid and decreasing the number of bids for the project. Taxpayer-funded construction could be done for less money if this law was repealed, helping both local governments and the state during this period of severely decreased tax revenue.

Not only are taxpayers hurt, but so, too, are the companies which unintentionally violate the law's complex regulations. There are many instances of companies filing complaints against other businesses in order to stifle competition...

...This political jockeying could be ended if the prevailing wage law were repealed. Businesses would no longer have to worry about unintentionally violating the law. And with the increased competition on government construction projects and the ability of local governments to accept the lowest bid for these projects, taxpayers would see significant savings.

This law's repeal would be a winning proposition for most Ohioans. Some businesses would no longer be as competitive for these contracts, though, and some union bosses would no longer have the leverage they possess today. Protecting inefficient businesses and the power of Big Labor should not be a priority for Ohio's legislators, though.

Go check it out for some great facts and background.

David Pepper: Another Tax and Spend Phony in the Line of Strickland

Remember how candidate Strickland said raising taxes would be bad? Remember how candidate Ted Strickland said increasing fees would be the same as raising taxes? Then, remember how Governor Strickland went ahead and raised taxes and raised fees, in the middle of a terrible recession for Ohio and a looming one that has come home to roost for the nation. Well, Governor Strickland has someone who thinks lying to the voters and making them think you are fiscally responsible and beholden to constituents then screwing them out of their own money is perfectly acceptable. I am talking about Hamilton County Commissioner and Democrat candidate for State Auditor David Pepper. Pepper voted on Monday to raise taxes on the hardworking people of Hamilton County for the 2nd time in three years.

The Democratic candidate for state auditor cast the lone vote in favor of a plan that "would increase the amount people would pay next year in property taxes," according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The plan to reduce a promised property tax rollback reflects a similar proposal made recently by Gov. Ted Strickland that calls for postponing a promised state income tax cut in order to balance the state budget, effectively asking Ohioans to pay nearly $1 billion more in taxes next year. How about we cut some costs, there fellas? I mean, what about lessening the overhead on the executive branch? Surely there are some flame painted SUVs left over from the Marc Dann era we could sell off?

In a move reminiscent of shooting fish in a barrel, Ohio GOP Chair Kevin DeWine (aka Mr. P) had this to say: "David Pepper is proving to be nothing more than a lapdog for Ted Strickland's failed policies," said Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine. "He took a play from the governor's budget playbook and voted to stick Ohio's struggling families with another bill at a time when they can least afford it. Ohio's state and local tax burden has been ranked among the top ten highest in the nation, and it's no coincidence that our economy is ranked among the worst."

What Kevin failed to mention is that then Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted rolled over on these failed policies because he didn't want to damage his Q rating with voters, since Strickland was so popular a governor at the time, and even engaged in a manly embrace with the governor over the passing of such horrendous fiscal policy.

But, back to Mr. Pepper, who seems to be trying to fool voters with a Hackett manuever (making voters think you are one thing, while doing the opposite). He tries to talk fiscal restraint and being responsible with taxpayer dollars, but he doesn't want to give people back their money. Strickland previously claimed that higher taxes would be "harmful" and "have the effect of deepening the recession and causing it to last longer." Pepper echoed the same theme in September. "I just think right now citizens are feeling a real squeeze," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Property taxes hit people hard because they hit them whether or not they bring in income at that time. Anything you can do to reduce the cost of property tax levies you should do." He also wrote on his blog as recently as last week that fulfilling the promised property tax rollback was "simple and clear cut" and that not doing so "would fundamentally breach our mandate at a time when citizens already have lost so much faith in government."

The Hamilton County Democrat has developed a controversial reputation for tax hikes and fee increases during his tenure as a county commissioner. He voted in 2007 to raise the county sales tax, but the increase was defeated overwhelmingly when citizen groups rallied to put it on the ballot. In 2002, Pepper led a successful effort to pass a $1 million annual tax on visiting athletes, musicians and entertainers. He also voted to approve numerous fee increases for home security systems, parking tickets, fire inspections and building permits.

Pepper has an inconsistent record on the issue of reversing Hamilton County's property tax rollback:

•2009: Commissioner David Pepper supported the option [to reduce the tax rollback], calling it a responsible move. (Cincinnati Enquirer, 10/30/09)


•2008: But the behind-the-scenes research is fueling rumors that the county is secretly considering a tax increase. Commissioners said again Tuesday that's just not true. "I've said in every way I can to our administration we won't touch the property-tax rebate and won't raise the sales tax," said Commissioner David Pepper. "We'll make cuts and we'll get through it. "I have no idea how I can be any more clear on any of this. Besides, the voters have spoken pretty loudly. It just makes no sense." (Cincinnati Enquirer, 7/16/08)


•2007: Hamilton County residents will continue to get a property tax rollback promised to them in return for their support of a sales tax hike back in 1996. County commissioners voted unanimously on Wednesday to keep the rollback. It had been suggested by the county administration that dropping the rollback would raise up to $20 million to stave off a looming deficit. "We cannot go back on a promise made to taxpayers over a decade ago," said Commissioner David Pepper. "While we have to tackle our tough budget issues, we cannot do so by raising property taxes." (Cincinnati Business Courier, 11/28/07)


The guy sounds just like Strickland and Obama and Pelosi. If they can't pass an out and out tax, then they will go stealth or subtle and raise fees and mandates so you end up giving them more of YOUR money. Disgraceful and shameful, but typical of Democrats.

Let's contrast this with Mary Taylor, who in her job as auditor has been busy serving the people and exposing government waste wherever she finds it. She has been working hard and serving the people, not going out and talking through both sides of her mouth.

Quote of the Day

Jenny Brunner:

"Usually I come out with something first and then [Fisher] follows with something less emphatic," she said, adding, "I think it's a question of courage."

Ohio Chief Justice Race: Petro Out

From some highly placed sources, I have heard that former State Attorney General Jim Petro is dropping his bid to run for Chief Justice. This leaves current Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor as the only candidate for the Republican side. In related news, Supreme Court Justices Judith Lanzinger and Paul Pfiefer are running for reelection.

Why Are Southern GOP Chairs Dragging Feet in Yost/Dewine Race?

According to sources, there was a meeting held October 24, 2009, in which the Southern Ohio GOP County Chairs Association met to endorse the same candidates that the ORP has endorsed. There was also discussion of endorsing David Yost. The committee decided to wait and see what the ORP decides in this race. Do these people not realize the power they have? The Southern Ohio area is some of the strongest in GOP support and membership. Why wait to see what Mr. P., Kevin DeWine, and his toadies up north are going to do? Are you intimidated? Why are so many Republicans afraid of Mike DeWine? This guy lost to an also ran like Sherrod Brown, even though he outraised Sherrod Brown and outspent him. This is a guy who ran a horrible state campaign for John McCain. This is a man who betrayed southern Ohio values and conservative principle by being a member of the Gang of 14, by voting against drilling in ANWR, as well as by not exactly in his legislative past being an ardent defender of gun rights, even though he has changed his tune now.

Is it the cashola? Is it the DeWine name, does it send a tingle up the spine? Me, it makes me vomit. As written elsewhere, more people are realizing that liberals are not needed. More conservatives are standing up to the liberal country club republicans. Why didn't the Southern Ohio Chairs stand up to Mr. P, Kevin Dewine, and the rest of the no principle crowd and vote for someone who is conservative, who campaigns, and does more than give out thanksgiving recipes and hold ice cream socials with barbershop quartets?

People are tired of arrogant, self serving, uncommunicative arses like Mike Dewine. People were sick of him last time he ran for office, and they aren't feeling any better now. He let us down then, he will let us down now. Call your county chairs and ask them why they aren't voting to endorse a true conservative. Ask them why they aren't voting based on you, the constituents they were elected to serve, and why they are waiting for marching orders from Mr. P Kevin Dewine and the clowns in C-bus!

Brown County Update

Petitions Submitted Regarding County Sales Tax Hike

Three business owners spearheading an effort to get a recent increase in the county sales tax on the spring ballot delivered petitions to County Auditor Doug Green on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Daryll Gray, of Gray's Maytag in Georgetown, as well as Seth and Tina Meranda, owners of Meranda-Nixon Winery in Ripley, turned the petitions over.

Many local business owners in the county spoke out against the .25 percent increase in the county sales tax, due to take effect January 1. The increase will make the sales tax for all taxable good in the county to the state set maximum of 7 percent.

The all Democrat County Commissioners (Jennings, Paeltz, and Geschwind)voted to approve the hike after two public hearings on October 28. Meranda's group had 30 days to submit a petition signed by 1500 voters in the county. According to the Merandas, they secured 25% more than required.

If enough signatures are verified, a referendum will be placed on the spring primary ballot. More from a local paper carrying the story:

The Brown County Commissioners said the delay would force the county to make additional cuts due to the loss of revenue from the first quarter of 2010. The Commissioners passed a temporary budget in the beginning of October but they will need to pass an updated temporary budget by the end of the year.

Commission Board President Margery Paeltz said if the petitions are approved and the referendum goes on the ballot they will not be able to figure the potential increased revenue into their budget. Additionally they cannot use potential increases from property taxes due to Certified Agricultural Use Value changes. Paeltz said they are expecting the state to give them finalized funding amounts for next year on Dec. 1 and at that time they will have a clearer picture of how much they will need to cut from the budget. The Commissioners will then meet with the county elected officials to discuss where those cuts will come from. Brown County Commissioner Bill Geschwind said the county would need to make additional cuts even if the sales tax increase is not put into effect.

Green said the petitions will be kept under lock and key for 10 working days and at the end of the day on the 11th day they will be turned over to the Brown County Board of Elections for certification. The BOE will have 10 days to certify the petitions.

Brown County Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda helped her husband Seth circulate petitions. She said in total there were 30 volunteers that helped.

“The Commissioners said they did the hard thing and raised the sales tax,” Tina Meranda said. “But sitting in their office and raising taxes is not hard. Spending every evening for 30 days away from your family travelling around getting signatures, that was hard.”

Former Commissioner Candidate Eagan Seriously Injured in Car Accident

Two time Republican candidate for County Commissioner Rick Eagan was seriously injured in a car accident Tuesday November 24th. At approximately 6:40am, Eagan struck and killed a deer on New Hope White Oak Station Road, just south of Goose Run Rd. He stopped his vehicle left of center and started to get out of his vehicle. As he was exiting the vehicle, a 17 year old Sardinia male driving a 2002 Ford Mustang struck Eagan and the door of the Explorer. Eagan suffered a compound fracture to his right leg, multiple fractures to his right arm, and internal bleeding, among other injuries. He was taken by Mt. Orab EMS to Mercy Hospital and later taken to University Hospital. The accident remains under investigation.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Eagan Family.

Brown County Republican Dinner Set for December 5th

The Brown County Republican Dinner is set for Saturday, December 5th at the Southern Hills Joint Vocational Center just off of Rt. 68 on Hamer Road in Georgetown. See browncountygop.org or their facebook page for details. Candidates Josh Mandel for Treasurer and Jon Husted for Secretary of State have been invited to speak. Let's hope that Mandel speaks because the JVS may never be able to remove the slimy residue from its floors if Husted is the one to speak.