In the Dayton Daily News, Buckeye's Rea Hederman looks at the benefits of tax reform for Ohioans. "Even with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, Congress is finding time for some last-minute business – the most sweeping tax reform bill in a generation. The centerpiece of the legislation is corporate tax reform, but people in Ohio and Dayton will benefit from lower rates and a simpler tax code."
Talk of tax reform has been everywhere recently, with many different opinions being voiced as both the U.S. House (passed on November 16) and Senate (still being debated) have released their own versions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the past several weeks. Like many other attempts for political reform, this tax bill will see more changes and compromise before it is officially passed. With this in mind, let’s take a look at two main ways this initial proposal will impact you, your family, and your fellow Ohioans.
Every morning, hardworking men and women in every state drink their coffee and diligently go to work on our behalf—in our neighborhoods as public school teachers, home care workers, engineers, and in agencies protecting the environment. Unfortunately, while these civic-minded professionals go to work for us, the labor unions that they must join in order to teach our children or serve our communities do not always work for them…There is a solution.
Ohio’s prison system costs taxpayers $1.8 billion every year. By reexamining criminal justice issues, policymakers are ensuring that those dollars are spent wisely. Good policy ensures that dangerous criminals are off the streets, while those who have made mistakes and can be safely rehabilitated in the community are placed on the path to become responsible citizens.
In all too many cases occupational licensing is little more than a mandatory permission slip that is imposed by a “Big Brother” like government and does little to ensure real public safety. Many of these burdens make it difficult for lower-income Ohioans to move up the ladder of economic success by getting a job and getting it quickly.
Medicaid spending was exploding well before the misguided expansion in 2013. Despite the happy talk of Medicaid coming in “under budget,” the influx of more than 700,000 able-bodied adults, according to the latest enrollment numbers, has nearly stressed the program to its breaking point. In August 2017, the total spending for Medicaid totaled $2.4 billion. That’s is $354.9 million, or 17.4 percent, more than spending for the same month in the previous fiscal year!
Many local government officials in Ohio are among those from the 238 different cities waiting with baited breath to find out if their bid to secure the new Amazon headquarters has a shot. Indeed, Cincinnati may offer nearly $1 billion in tax breaks while Cleveland, though skittish about disclosing it’s offering, no doubt will pony up big breaks too, as will Columbus. However, something amid all this hype (and hyperventilation) is being lost, which is, most new jobs come from small business (those employing fewer than 50 people).
Recently, an opinion piece was published on cleveland.com that criticized a report authored by The Buckeye Institute. As one looks at the criticisms, it is important to keep two things in mind. First, the findings of our report were not criticized, nor have they been. And second, the individuals attacking our report represent the renewables industry.
