Fee Increases Are Not A Budget Solution

Ohio’s economic crisis has presented lawmakers with the unique opportunity to examine state spending, rein in costs and create a more efficient, effective government structure. However, many of Ohio’s leaders chose to maintain the tax-and-spend status quo by placing a heavier financial burden on the people of our state.

Instead of creating a sustainable state budget, Governor Strickland and House Democrats raised taxes and created more than 150 new fines, fees and penalties to support Ohio’s ever-growing government spending. Specifically, these fees will affect each and every Ohioan because they will be imposed on everything from court costs and birth certificates to real estate licenses and hospice applications.

One way the Democrats are nickel-and-diming their way to a balanced budget is through a $20 late fee for renewing your vehicle registration and driver’s license. Since October, 400,000 individuals have been forced to pay this late fee, which has fattened the budget by more than $6 million to benefit the tax and spend party that is in control.

In times of economic hardship, state government should shrink its spending to fit its means, not grab at constituents’ pocketbooks to feed its growth. For this reason, I cosponsored legislation to repeal this $20 BMV late fee on motor vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses and motorcycle endorsements. House Bill 428, introduced by Representatives Ron Amstutz and Terry Boose, has bipartisan support in the House and will help keep Ohio’s government accountable to the public.


It is my belief that the government should serve the people, not the other way around. The day we start squeezing petty dollars out of hardworking families is the day we should finally commit to cost-saving measures to rein in state spending. There is no excuse to justify robbing the taxpayers of money that could have been used to put food on the table or help pay their bills—especially when there are so many alternatives on the table.

Since the beginning of the General Assembly, House Republicans have proposed numerous bills that would streamline state spending, reduce Medicaid waste and audit state agencies. Most of all, these bills would hold Ohio’s elected officials accountable for their expenditures and ensure that each dollar spent has a dollar’s return. Together, our bills would increase government efficiency by saving the taxpayers more than $1 billion annually, which would not only put our state on track toward a balanced budget but also eliminate the temptation to raid the wallets of our constituents.


Ohio has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. It is long overdue that state leaders stop pilfering money from individuals who are just trying to make an honest living and provide for their families. As always, I will continue the fight for an accountable, efficient state government.

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.