Public Policy Advocates

Governor Announces Proposal to Fill $850 Million Budget Gap

In the wake of last week’s Supreme Court ruling that the Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) plan in House Bill 1 would be subject to a referendum, the state was left with an $850 million hole in the state’s biennium budget.  Governor Strickland announced there were three realistic options to fix that gap: cutting $850 million more in spending from the budget (after nearly $3 billion in recent cuts), implementing a half-penny sales-tax increase, or postponing currently-scheduled income tax cuts.  The year 2009 is the fifth year of a gradual, five-year reduction in the personal income tax in Ohio, as outlined in HB 66 (2005). The state personal income tax was to be reduced by 4.2% this year.

The Governor proposed delaying this 4.3% cut until the state’s budget could be balanced.  He estimated that this proposal would save the state $844 million over the biennium.  The Governor stated his intention to eventually implement this final phase of the tax cut, as soon as the state’s finances could be settled.  He reiterated that he is willing to hear alternative proposals and plans from the Legislature, but that this is a topic which must be addressed immediately.  The Governor also said that he will continue his legal fight to give the Ohio Lottery the authority to implement the VLT plan.

Senate Passes Legislative Redistricting Proposal

The Ohio Senate approved SJR 5 last week, sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted (R-Kettering).  The proposal would alter Ohio’s legislative redistricting process, creating a seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission.  The Commission would be made up of the Governor, State Auditor, Secretary of State, House Speaker, Senate President and Minority Leaders of each chamber.  The Commission would be given the task of drawing both federal and state legislative districts.  The proposal requires a supermajority of five votes to approve new boundaries, including at least two votes from each political party.  Currently, a simple majority of the five-member Apportionment Board is required to redraw boundaries, a procedure which Sen. Husted says creates a partisan process.

SJR 5 was passed 21-12, strictly along party lines in the Republican-controlled Senate.  It now moves on to the Democrat-controlled House, where it seems unlikely to garner much support.  A spokesman for House Speaker Armond Budish, responding to the Senate vote, said “The speaker feels that real improvements to the redistricting process must start with broad consensus-building efforts and conclude with bipartisan support.”

New Director of Public Safety Appoints Key Positions

New Department of Public Safety Director Cathy Collins-Taylor has filled two leadership posts at the agency.  Captain Kevin Teaford of Grove City was appointed Interim Superintendent of the Highway Patrol.  Director Collins-Taylor also named Glenn Taylor to serve as executive director of the Ohio Investigative Unit. Mr. Taylor, formerly of the Columbus Police Department, previously served as deputy director under Ms. Taylor-Collins. 

Secretary of State Brunner Nullifies Senator Husted’s Voter Registration

Former Speaker of the Ohio House and current State Senator Jon Husted’s voter registration was cancelled by the Montgomery County Board of Elections at the direction of Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner. Questions about Mr. Husted’s residency have been raised in the past, and the Montgomery County Board of Elections was split in its ruling on the most recent challenge to his residency, 2-2. It has been alleged that Mr. Husted resides in the Columbus area, despite representing Ohio’s 6th Senate District, which consists of Dayton suburbs.

When a county Board of Elections cannot settle a residency challenge, the tie-breaking vote falls to the Ohio Secretary of State. In this case, Secretary Brunner ruled that Mr. Husted does not reside at the address at which he is registered to vote, in Kettering. Mr. Husted has admitted that his wife owns a house in the Columbus area and that he stays there with his family.  However, he maintains that his primary residence is in Kettering.

In response to the Secretary of State’s finding, Mr. Husted said he would immediately appeal the decision to the court system, saying, “During this dispute, Jennifer Brunner failed to follow the law and exceeded her authority [...] Since I could not get a fair resolution from Jennifer Brunner, I will file a legal action and ask for the courts to decide the matter so that I can exercise my right to vote in the November elections.”

Supreme Court Rules on VLT Lawsuit

The Ohio Supreme Court issued a ruling on Monday regarding the Governor’s plan to install Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) at Ohio’s seven racetracks. The court ruled 6-1 that the enabling legislation from House Bill 1, and the Governor’s Executive Order, are subject to a referendum by the people. The lawsuit was filed by a ballot issue group called LetOhioVote.org.

LetOhioVote.org now has 90 days in which to submit at least 241,366 valid signatures from at least 44 of the state’s 88 counties. If it is able to get these signatures, the issue will be placed on the November 2, 2010 ballot.

Governor Strickland said in a statement that he was “disappointed” in the court’s decision. However, Mr. Strickland did not reveal whether he would direct the Lottery Commission to move forward with the slots program in the meantime until this issue is put before the voters.