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Governor blames Bush administration for state's suffering economy
By Andrew Welsh-Huggins
Associated Press
Published on Saturday, Nov 08, 2008
COLUMBUS: Gov. Ted Strickland, who must put together a new state budget early next year, warned Friday that Ohio faces tough economic times that won't be easily overcome.
Strickland, a Democrat expected to run again in 2010, says the state would probably have experienced moderate but steady growth had the nation not been hit by the financial crisis.
He says Ohio and other states are paying the price of what he calls the irresponsible economic policies of the Bush administration.
''Now President-elect Barack Obama has to come in and clean it up,'' Strickland said. ''It's not going to be quick. It's not going to be easy. And it's not going to be painless.''
A message was left with the White House seeking comment.
Asked about his prospects for a second term, Strickland acknowledged a campaign was
likely.
''I'm not going to be coy about this,'' he said. ''I see no reason why I wouldn't seek re-election.''
But he added he hasn't made a final decision and said he's focusing on the present for now.
The two years leading to that election could be tough for Strickland, who in 2006 was the first Democrat elected governor in Ohio in 20 years.
Even before the financial meltdown, Ohio faced a budget deficit of $540 million during the final year of the state's two-year, $52 billion budget.
The next budget is likely to be extremely tight.
Tax revenue in the state dipped 0.6 percent from July through September compared to the same period a year ago, according to a preliminary report by the State University of New York's Rockefeller Institute of Government.
Ohio's September unemployment rate was 7.2, 1.5 percentage points higher than a year ago.
With that as background, Strickland must not only deliver a balanced budget, he's also expected to introduce his long-awaited school-funding plan next year.
He hinted at the tight times to come when asked what he expects out of the Legislature's lame-duck session this year.
''I'll tell you what I don't want it to bring, and that's a lot of spending of resources that we don't have,'' Strickland said.
Also Friday, Strickland said he supports a federal bailout of the automotive industry, but wants to make sure workers are protected and expectations are put on the automakers.
''I don't want those resources used in ways that would benefit the shareholders of the auto companies while costing Ohio and Michigan jobs,'' Strickland said. ''I don't want this to be one more example where shareholders and decision makers were protected and the average worker is cast aside.''
Strickland said he got a call Thursday from a General Motors Corp. executive he wouldn't name asking to support a bailout.
GM said Friday about 3,600 workers will be laid off indefinitely beginning early next year as the automaker slows down production at 10 of its assembly plants, including Ohio's Lordstown plant.
COLUMBUS: Gov. Ted Strickland, who must put together a new state budget early next year, warned Friday that Ohio faces tough economic times that won't be easily overcome.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 05:04 AM, 11/08/2008
Contact Gov. Strickland, and express interest in him teaming up with Sen. Brown and the entrepreneurial task force that was proposed by a local entrepreneur.
Barberton, OH
Posted 05:15 AM, 11/08/2008
I'd blame Taft too. We suffered 8 years with that buffoon in office too.
akron, oh
Posted 07:33 AM, 11/08/2008
Sure blame all the politicians. But dont forget that the auto companies had every chance and many incentives to produce cars with higher mileage and they simply did not. Instead they gave us the Hummer and bigger trucks. In the meantime - Toyota and honda were prudent enough to look to the futre and understand that hybrids would sell. They produced them and did so without the government incentives that the big three got. and by the way - it was Democrat Carl levin of Michigan that fought higher CAFE standards tooth and nail. Say good bye to the big three before long.
Wheaton, IL
Posted 10:42 AM, 11/08/2008
WE MUST FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS. Ohio's economy has fundamental weaknesses that have impeded its growth for decades, and the dearth of marketable skills of its citizens is foremost among these weaknesses. Currently, Ohio's state universities are among the most expensive in the nation, and Ohio's residents have a much lower than average rate of attaining a college degree. Ohio and the individuals who live in Ohio will not see a better economy until we have an educated, skilled workforce. Economic gains are impossible without that condition.
Wheaton, IL
Posted 10:42 AM, 11/08/2008
WE MUST FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS. Ohio's economy has fundamental weaknesses that have impeded its growth for decades, and the dearth of marketable skills of its citizens is foremost among these weaknesses. Currently, Ohio's state universities are among the most expensive in the nation, and Ohio's residents have a much lower than average rate of attaining a college degree. Ohio and the individuals who live in Ohio will not see a better economy until we have an educated, skilled workforce. Economic gains are impossible without that condition.
Wheaton, IL
Posted 10:42 AM, 11/08/2008
WE MUST FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTALS. Ohio's economy has fundamental weaknesses that have impeded its growth for decades, and the dearth of marketable skills of its citizens is foremost among these weaknesses. Currently, Ohio's state universities are among the most expensive in the nation, and Ohio's residents have a much lower than average rate of attaining a college degree. Ohio and the individuals who live in Ohio will not see a better economy until we have an educated, skilled workforce. Economic gains are impossible without that condition.
Here’s an example of a plan that could remedy the situation. Consider a new college loan program: Anyone wishing to attend a university, community college, technical, or trade school in the state of Ohio (and who has applied for federal aid) could do so by paying for their education with a LOAN from the state of Ohio. Then, upon completion of their education, 50% of the OHIO STATE INCOME TAXES they pay will go towards repaying their loan. If they stop paying Ohio incomes taxes (because they’ve left the state), they must repay the loan in the standard way.
Posted 12:48 PM, 11/08/2008
Every politician passes the buck. Two years ago Strickland made grand promises of change and School reform. So far nothing. Taft is gone and so will Bush be in the next couple months. All I know is the economy was not this bad 2 years ago but since the bitterness of Pelosi and Reid have come about along with our liberal press things and the feelings of America is worse then ever. Obama is going to be crucified over the next couple years and all his smooth talking isn;t going to help him. He will however have to live with what is about to happen to him. Mccain would have gotten the same treatment. This is all the result of Al Gore and his bitterness of 8 years ago when Bush beat him.
Posted 09:33 PM, 11/08/2008
I agree that most politicians can't solve our problems. I also agree that the entrepreneurial task force can work if you have local or regional business point people who can engage prospective local business owners, as well as, national businesses. That's part of the whole problem in parts of Akron....you don't have any of those people in positions of authority (ie: Councilman) to work a job development agenda in their Wards. In Akron we give everything to Goodyear and Akron U. While we need those entities, and the mayor is right to develop those entities, in Ward 9, especially, we literaly got nothing. We need to reach out to local, regional and national busineses and corporations to at the very least see how they feel about expansion in a certain area, or even if they have expansion on their minds given the economy. Next, we need to identify a quality site to expand, with the help of a specific business. If it matters enough to politicians to bring jobs home then you make a deal work between the county or state and that business, if taxes are the sticking point. Local businesses have always thrived in Ward 9, however, in the last 8 years or so, we have seen most of them close (primarily due to the age of the business owner), but some due to the area. We need to identify those in the community that want to own a small business and give them all the tools necessary to succeed. This is not hard to do and these ideas can, and probably have been successfully in areas across the country......just not here.
