Ted Strickland

Legislative Update by Senator Jon Husted

For the past several weeks I have been reviewing the finer details of Governor Strickland’s proposed two-year budget blueprint. Among the hotly contested aspects of the proposal are: fee increases totaling more than $1.5 billion on almost all Ohioans; a new K-12 education plan; and the use of $7 billion of borrowed and one-time money (creating a revenue hole equal to 15 percent of the overall budget).

As a member of the Senate Education Committee, I listened to the many Ohioans who testified in opposition to the Strickland education spending plan. The Governor’s “evidence based plan” is unfunded, unsustainable and serves as a false promise to Ohio schools. Further, it would effectively close all charter schools within two years – 88,000 students’ school choice options would be eliminated. Even Democrats in the legislature acknowledge that the Governor’s education plan does not provide the required funding for its ten year rollout.

The Republican controlled Senate recently countered with a balanced budget that removes all 139 earmarks and cuts more than $650 million in spending on state government. A balanced budget that does not raise taxes – this is the Republican way.

On another note, as I prepare to become Ohio’s next Secretary of State, I have also introduced legislation to change Ohio’s redistricting process – the way Ohio draws its legislative district boundaries. Currently, the party that controls two of three statewide elected offices – Governor, Secretary of State or Auditor – draws district boundaries that are in place for the next decade. I am seeking to replace the winner take all system with a bi-partisan commission to draw legislative and congressional district lines. We must discontinue the system that allows politicians to pick the voters rather than allowing the voters to pick their public officials.

These issues and the mounting job losses Ohioans are experiencing have me working overtime to find solutions. Please contact me at 614-466-4538 or via e-mail at SD06@senate.state.oh.us if I can be of assistance. For more information on my campaign, please visit www.hustedforohio.com.

Sincerely,

Jon Husted
Senator
6th District