Yesterday, Ohio’s State Auditor confirmed to the Dayton Daily News what we already know: John Kasich’s budget cuts are causing severe challenges to local communications, in many cases resulting in tax increases.Cuts to local funding and continued economic difficulties could lead to more Ohio municipalities landing in fiscal trouble during the coming years, state Auditor David Yost warned recently during an exclusive interview with the Dayton Daily News.
In an examination of how the Governor’s budget will impact communities in the Dayton area, the article lays out the grim facts:
In July, Gov. John Kasich said he plans to cut another 25 percent next year from local government funding — already cut 25 percent — draining $14.4 million from governments in Montgomery, Greene and Warren counties, according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. Also next year, cities and villages will have to adjust to the repeal of estate taxes. In 2010, area communities reported collecting $18 million from the estate tax.
The result? Cuts to public services, job losses and tax hikes:
In response, cities have sought new levies, cut staff and services funded through general operating budgets.
It’s not limited to Dayton. The President of Canton’s City Council penned a scathing editorial in the Repository about impacts there:
Due in large part to the radical budgetary agenda of Gov. John Kasich and his Republican allies in Columbus, our city is now faced with the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The projected shortfall, between $4 million and $5 million, would result in the dismissal of 90 police officers and firefighters, as well as other draconian measures. It would devastate our community.
Earlier this year, Innovation Ohio tabulated the damage and mapped budget cuts for each of Ohio’s 88 counties on a map and chart, available here.