Eye on Columbus

More Tax on Haircuts, Auto Repair? Talks Begin For 2-Year State Budget

Rep. Matt Lundy is on the House Finance Committee.

Work is underway in Columbus on the new two-year state budget for Ohio. Once again, I will serve on House Finance Committee (10 Democrats and 21 Republicans). We must work together to do what is best for all Ohioans. The new budget proposed by Gov. Kasich is over $63 billion ($7 billion more in spending). The Medicaid expansion will make 365,000 more Ohioans eligible for coverage (currently 2.3 million Ohioans). Once you factor in additional costs, additional federal reimbursements and eligibility changes, the state expects to net close to $500 million dollars. Schools were cut over $1.5 billion dollars in the governor’s last budget. The new money in this budget doesn’t make up for the cuts and it fails to address the major components of a…

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Gov. Kasich Proposes Income Tax, Sales Tax Cuts in Budget Plan

Check out this video from the governor’s office to learn more about the proposal.

Gov. John Kasich wants to cut income taxes for small businesses and individuals and lower the sales tax in Ohio’s 2014-2015 budget. “Ohio’s taxes are too high,” Kasich said in a video posted to his website. “They hold back job creators and hold back our economy. We need to fix that.” The Columbus Dispatch reports that while the sales tax would decrease from 5.5 percent to 5 percent under the plan, more services would be subject to the tax. Increasing what can be taxed would allow the government to actually bring in more money over time.  The Plain Dealer reports that this proposal includes the first tax rewrite since 2005.  Kasich’s education funding reform plan, which he introduced last week, plays a big part in his budget proposal. …

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Proposed State Budget Could Result in $10,000 Cut To Avon Lake Library

Director says no drastic changes would result from decrease, cites prudent spending.

sIf Gov. John Kasich’s proposed budget goes into effect, several city branches will be affected negatively, including the Avon Lake Public Library (ALPL). The good news is that if the cuts are approved, it will not result in any drastic reductions at the library. “In the governor's proposed budget, the Public Library Fund takes another 5 percent cut,” Library Director Mary Crehore, said. “For ALPL, this is approximately $10,000, which would be effective the second half of the year (starting July 1).” Crehore said the library has been “very conservative” with the budget. “We should be able to maintain this year's status quo and not have to cut any further than we already have,” she said. The 2011 budget includes certified revenue of $2.17 …

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Eye on Columbus

Rep. Matt Lundy Expresses Concern Over State Budget

Lundy will host "Lundy Listens" town hall meeting on March 26 at Avon Lake Public Library.

Governor Kasich has now introduced his first budget as our new governor. As a result, we in the legislature are now beginning to work on the budget through the Finance Committee in the Ohio House. This year I am serving as one of 33 members on the committee. We will make revisions to the governor’s budget plans through the end of April. In May, the Senate will then begin their work on the budget.  There is no increase in taxes, but there are increases in various fees. I agree that in this recession, there should be no tax increases. However, I disagree with very deep cuts to local government and to schools. School leaders across Ohio are disappointed to see more than $3 billion in cuts to education. In addition, the governor intends to …

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