It was talk of doom and gloom that dominated the Democratic reaction to Gov. Bob Taft’s State of the State address yesterday afternoon.
The Democratic caucus shared its concerns with Taft’s new tax proposal, reduction of state spending and other ideas about improving the state’s education in lieu of what Taft referred to as a “dire budget situation.” The budget deficit is now at $720 million, and some fear that drastic cuts are on the horizon.
House Minority Leader Chris Redfern, D-Port Clinton, is very critical of Taft’s new plan.
“Republicans in this state are all about supporting tax increases all of a sudden,” Redfern said. “They continued to spend like drunken sailors when things were going well. Now their only alternative is to tax working families.”
Redfern said Taft and the rest of the Republicans will realize the value of working together during this difficult time with the budget looming.
“Tim Hagan (Democratic gubernatorial candidate) warned us that the budget would be in bad shape. It’s time that Taft reaches across the aisle to solve the budget problem,” Redfern said.
Senate Minority Leader Greg DiDonato, D-Dennison, wants the governor to get serious about a commitment to education.
“Economic development is tied directly to education. We have seen yet another increase in tuition across the state. We are now seeing the effect of these increases. Families are losing the ability to send children to school,” DiDonato said.
Taft’s new commissions on higher education and student success are being labeled as a “stall tactic” by some Democrats.
“By the end of these commissions, we will have spent well over 18 months coming up with solutions. Republicans are refusing to fund education. We cannot fix the budget on the backs of our children,” said Sen. C.J. Prentiss, D-Cleveland.
Prentiss remains unhappy about the status of primary school funding, which the Ohio Supreme Court ruled last month to be unconstitutional.
“Too many children continue to fail under our current system that punishes students raised in lower income families,” Prentiss said. “We cannot wait any longer to improve a system that is in clear violation of the constitution.”
Assistant House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, is not satisfied with Taft’s proposal.
“We would be hesitant to support Taft’s plan as it stands now,” Beatty said. “Ohio students are being left behind, and with this proposal, things aren’t looking any different.”
Democrats maintain the other side of the aisle should have seen the budget crisis coming.
“Why wasn’t the public informed before about the ‘Perfect Storm’ that is now before us?” DiDonato said. “It looks like we need a new weather forecast.”
