Harmful Policies Plagued 2009

COLUMBUS- House Republican leadership today asked "Will Governor Strickland and his Democrat colleagues change anything?"  The question is released one year to the day that Democrats in the Statehouse took the majority, a feat that hadn't been seen in 14 years.  While unemployment steadily increased and shortfall after shortfall was apparent to the state's operating budget as touted by Governor Strickland and House Democrats, numerous viable, alternative solutions to the irresponsible policies proposed by the majority were ignored.

"Ohio is faced with a unique opportunity to jumpstart the economy and reform how we do business," said House Republican Leader William G. Batchelder (R-Medina). "Throughout 2009, I welcomed the opportunity to work in a bipartisan manner with members from across Ohio.  However, many Republican-offered solutions were either silenced or ignored throughout the process.  It is my hope that the New Year will encourage an open and honest discussion."

In the past 12 months, 200,000 Ohio jobs have been lost and unemployment numbers remain in the double digits. Recognizing that fixing the state budget requires fiscal discipline and a long-term vision, House Republicans proposed numerous bills to create jobs, encourage business investment and propel Ohio's economy forward.

"2009 was a year of devastating loss and industry deterioration," said House Republican Whip John Adams (R-Sidney). "For the first time in more than a decade, under Democrat control true economic reforms were silenced, necessary restructuring was not established and partisan games plagued the House floor."

House Democrats have silenced and ignored many viable Republican ideas, House Republicans remain hopeful that 2010 will bring bipartisan discussions about Ohio's future.

 "This past year was plagued by unfunded mandates on schools and damaging funding cuts to poorer districts, charter schools, e-schools and Catholic schools," said House Republican Asst. Whip Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City).  "Rather than streamlining state spending to ensure adequate funding for education, Governor Strickland chose to fund K-12 education with unstable revenue from video lottery terminals, an unconstitutional plan that eventually failed and put Ohio's education system at risk."

"The House majority managed to slash state education funding by nearly $400 million over the next two years," said House Republican Asst. Leader Louis W. Blessing Jr. (R-Cincinnati).  "Many districts cannot afford the expensive mandates on schools by requiring the implementation of all-day kindergarten starting in the 2010-2011 school year."

The Ohio Department of Development has estimated that establishing all-day kindergarten in Ohio's 613 school districts will cost more than $200 million, including $127 million in operating costs and $78 million for classroom space. House Republicans avow that enforcing this mandate on already-struggling schools will force many to cut programs or extracurricular activities to be able to afford the mandate.

House Democrats have silenced many responsible initiatives since the beginning of the General Assembly. Although the Ohio House has been plagued by stalemates and inaction in 2009, House Republicans remain hopeful that 2010 will bring bipartisan discussions about Ohio's future.

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Editor's Note: Attached are 10 examples of viable, alternative Republican offered solutions throughout 2009.