The Ohio Budget And Government Savings

It is no secret that Ohio is in the middle of one of the worst budget crises in recent memory, and now more than ever it is important to present innovative and real belt tightening approaches to Ohio’s budget problems.

Currently, the state faces a budget deficit of more than $2 billion, double-digit unemployment, and a rising burden on our state’s welfare system when resources are drying up. Families are cutting back on their expenses and finding ways to scrimp and save money, and Ohioans who never needed assistance before are finding themselves asking for it now.

While families are being forced to cut expenses, our state government seems to be growing, as evidenced in the House Democrats’ version of the operating budget which increased overall spending by $1 billion. When looking for additional ways to find revenue and new funds in times of need, many minds will first turn to tax and fee increases to gain new revenues. Imposing a tax is not an option for families when they are looking for additional income. This isn’t fair to Ohio’s taxpayers who will ultimately foot the bill for our state government’s spending.

In times like these, our government in Columbus needs to look internally for cost-saving measures before one single taxpayer is asked to open their wallets. I can tell you based on my time in the Legislature that one can hardly take two steps in Columbus without tripping over an example of government waste. This is why I have joined my colleagues in the Ohio House of Representatives and co-sponsored House Bill 25 (H.B. 25) and House Bill 210 (H.B. 210).

H.B. 25 would shrink the scope of the governor’s cabinet from the current level of 24 departments and agencies to 11. To fully streamline government services, each of the government’s current functions would be grouped into divisions within the appropriate cabinet departments, thereby eliminating duplicate services and saving an estimated $1 billion annually, a real step towards a solution to our financial problems.

State government has not changed the way it has done business in more than 50 years. Removing wasteful repeats of services by consolidating agencies with similar functions will save taxpayers dollars. The House Republicans offered H.B. 25 as an amendment on the House floor as the state’s budget was being debated. The Speaker and House Democrats promptly tabled this plan that would free up $2 billion to help balance the budget.

A recently introduced piece of legislation, H.B. 210 would reduce the salaries of statewide elected officials in the next General Assembly by 5 percent until Ohio and our economy turns around. The pay cuts would equal those imposed on other state employees. It is yet to be seen what will happen to H.B. 210, but I hope to see the House recognize the necessity of this bill. As employees of both private and state jobs experience cuts in pay, it is only right that state leaders undergo pay cuts, as well.