Ron's Journal Archive
State of the State of Ohio
1/26/2010
Some notes and observations on Governor Stickland's State of the State message are the topic of these notes. He is speaking to a joint session of our state legislature.
In general, this is a speech that has the right goals being presented, but it has not been one with specifics to back it up.
"In every year I've been in office we have cut taxes." Note: This was not his initiative, but one that was adopted in 2005 under Republican leadership. To his credit, the governor has embraced and supported this plan by continuing its implementation.
Ohio will power the future ...
Toledo, Edward Libby came to Ohio for the natural gas availability and low cost ...
"Today the glass industry is moving into solar panel production." Note: the weakness is that by failing to focus on our primary, base-load electric power generation needs, Ohio is slipping further into the danger zone on meeting our future electric power needs. It is good to push development of alternative energy sources, but these are all suplemental and not useable as dependable electricity sources.
Pointing to jobs bill two years ago. Note: Most of this funding has not even been spent. I was the lone vote against this measure in the last session of the General Assembly.
Quasar Energy is building an anerobic diegester for Franklin County. Note: They are first building a smaller unit in Wooster at the OARDC.
Federal stimulus dollars
Third Frontier: already made major investments in Ohio.
Dramatically accelerated the school facilities construction program and made it an energy efficiency
Energy Gateway Fund announced: fuel cells, solar, wind ... $30m and $10 million to give access to capital for new and expanded energy companies. Require 50-50 private match on these funds.
Federal tax credit in place for renewable energy, inducing companies
Ohio tax structure discourages these companies from coming to Ohio. Asking to erase tangible personal property tax on generation of alternative energy if are in production by 2012.
Will use turnpike rest stops as showcases for Ohio alternative and advanced energy technologies.
Note: The hyperbole on advanced energy advancing to the forefront as our source of electricity is unfortunate in that it diverts our attention from the critical importance of positioning our basic electricty generation capacity for the future. This is not being done. Coal and nuclear generation are the only viable, reliable, cost-effective alternatives for the next 25 years at least. This is the reality. There are advanced techologies that are already developed
"I will not rest until the jobs lost are replaced.."
"I believe in Ohio." "We may have been dealt a tough hand, but we will play it to win."
Announcing today: Small Business Growth Partnership -- a clearing house to help connect businesses seeking working capital with lenders. No indication how this program will improve
InSource Ohio: a new program involving three ODOD, JFS and BOR -- to work with any Ohio company to demonstrate how any company considering outsourcing can have its needs met in Ohio.
Announcing a "manufacturing certificate" that workers can use to show competency in manufacturing.
"Build Your Own Business" - Ohio communicty colleges, Adult Career Centers and small bussiness centers are to be help in start-ups. This is to be an expansion of Lorain County Community College program. Will recommend legislation to use casino licensing fees to helpl fund this.
Wants to push an urban workforce program to help put unemployed
New regulatory reform, called "fast Track", is to move projects faster on infrastructure projects. Mention a proposal to put $100 million into this category. This will probably be existing dollars for projects.
Seeking to contract with P&G and the state and state universities. Want to use this agreement as a template for similar agreements to other companies, especially in the automotive industry. The idea is to linki the companies with university research assistance in innovation and efficiency programs.
Third Frontier involves a commitment to put Ohio at the forefront of research economny. The indicators are already showing good return. Venture capital invistment in Ohio has been growing at more than 20% per year, helped by this program, and will above the national average during recent years.
Why were the former days better than these ... a quote lifted from scriptures, to bolster is argument that we cannot cling to the past, but must press into the future. If you want to read this in context: go here
Note: We will need to examine the new rankings of Ohio on school innovation to which the governor referred in his speech. It appears that this ranking was announced today, with Ohio ranked at the top by some education organization. This ranking would be expected to measure our schools prior to the current administration.
On reduction of government: Governor Strickland quoted Ronald Reagan that government never gets smaller and is the closest thing to eternal life that we experience here on earth. Then he claimed to have reduced state employees by 5,200 compared to the level when Reagan was president.
Claimed that Medicaid program has $796 million billing to third parties -- this is highly misleading as
Serioius budget challenges we have faced here.
Pugh Center made a per capital revenue and spenidng across the states.
Ohio is doing a better job than most at balancing the budget. Pointed to Florida as a state with greater fiscal problems than Ohio.
Compact with Ohio Cities Task force: Would like to see movement on TIAs and Land Banks from the task forces. Also recommended addressing mortgage foreclosure troubles. He wants a bill sent to him.
Ohio Neighborhood Harvest: Local food initiative to help map locally grown foods for consumers.
Ohio is well-position to have advanced bio-refinery because of our Ag output and our polymer sector.
"We will create jobs." This was repeated over and over throughout the speech. But the means to achieving this was not revealed. This is where the conversation needs to go in the weeks and months ahead as we analyze where things have gone and strategies and policies that will help make this happen.
"I believe in Ohio." was also repeated over and over.
Paid for by Citizens For Amstutz, Matthew Hochstetler Treasurer, 4456 Woodlake Trail, Wooster, OH 44691