Ohio Has Seen Better Days.

A couple weeks back we here in Columbus, OH found out that we are one step closer to eating our belts.  It is no secret that Ohio is pretty damn broke. We've been facing a $7+ billion dollar debt for quite some time and with a Mayor that has been introducing some questionable projects in the future, it seems to make things in this city appear to be a bit more bleaker than what we have already had to deal with.

The reason I've decided to infuse the brog with a little bit more activism today is centered around what is being proposed to Ohioans is something most residents would have never thought to be on the table.  Ted Strickland is trying to reach the goal of $8 billion dollars. I have no problem saying I voted for Teddy boy, I even have had the spirited argument as to why I supported his slot machines at our seven racetrack initiative.  Strickland has promised a lot and maybe the pressure and power has finally over came yet another Ohio politician. We should not make excuses for Strickland seeing as for the past year he has been responding in kind.

Here is what's on the chopping block: Public libraries, the Early Learning Initiative, a program that combines health screenings and child care. There would be reductions in services for mental health, foster care, cash assistance for the physically disabled and meals and transportation for seniors. Moreover, Medicaid would be slashed $770 million.  Medicaid is already losing money on a federal level.

*Edit: As I type I read a story that says Strickland is trying to stop the bleeding by finally initializing the bill that would introduce slot machines in ohio.

Well it looks like the slot machine bill has passed. By 'passed' I mean Ted and one of his republican cohorts, Bill Harris, met in the middle of the isle and after some bickering they have decided that these 'video lottery terminals' will be installed on racetrack grounds under the guise that the Ohio Lottery council as well as the Ohio Supreme Court can install 'guard-rails' to prevent this projected, new heap of money, be channeled through the proper sources in order to help the struggling education system in this state.

However, even with this news we are still expecting libraries to lose 20% percent of their staff.  The money being used to put this plan into action is supposedly coming from higher education cuts [yay!...wait.]. One could say that Ohio is in such a rut that there will clearly be no 'magic fixes'.  You can't help but feel a little uneasy about this plan coming from someone [or someones] who were almost TOO willing to put the essentials of every lower-to-working class person's daily routine on the chopping block.  

I am sure these cuts will be felt throughout all classes, and as I stated earlier, I did [and to some extent] still do support gambling devices being put into gambling areas.  I support this with the 'hope' of the language of a silly bill [that at this point, none of us have read] will be used for good.  Columbus still has plans of opening new condo projects in the next ten years, expect a rail system that goes througout the state, expect jobs to be created...for the moment.

Good things are coming to Columbus. Good things can happen in Ohio.  Why do I feel like storm clouds are gathering?  I suspect being a Cleveland native keeps me optimistic [but cynical].  When people complain about losing funds and programs here [Columbus] I think of how people on the East Side of Cleveland struggle and make it; day-to-day.  Slot machines could cause an even larger divide in communities.  The middle-to-upper class can keep money circulating in their suburban neighborhoods given the right legislative language [allowing schools and local businesses to keep taxes down and their heads above water].  The lower-to-working class could see a change in how money is doled out to districts, again, if the language of this bill permits some sort of even scale for city schools. If taxes are going to rise: And at this point, how could they NOT? Every 'class of person' feels the heat, only each class suffers differently.

The Ohio Lottery system has been a joke for a while and I wish more issues like these would be pushed more to the public.  Double-edged sword, the slot machines are always voted down [maybe its because the bill being proposed is always in the trashiest of lights].  Ted Strickland passed this bill with no vote from the people. I believe this is a quick-fix to a complex solution.  How do we keep jobs, essential programs and the average person from putting a bullet in their brain from fiscal depression? Or maybe this is just one of those rants I should not have haphazardly thrown up on the internet.

What Say You?

Source: July 13th 2009 "Slot Machine Article"

Supplement: Strickland's "State of the State 2009"