If an economic development plan falls in the forest, does it earn a dime?
Thursday, September 4th, 2008 By Mike Maurer
I saw a headline over an Ellen Goodman column today, “Right Wing hypocrisy is evident,” and what was evident was that the headline should have been “Right wing hypocrisy is evident to left-wing columnist.”
Bo-ring.
But that self-parody is nothing compared to Gov. Strickland and Lt. Gov/Director of Development Lee Fisher announcing-didn’t they do this already?-”an economic development strategy for Ohio.”
Among the “highlights”:
–”Customer response line” [They're kidding, right? Did Dave Barry or Joe Blundo write this plan?]
–”Strengthen Strengths” [This one excited me. I immediately went searching for "Weaken Weaknesses," but I was brutally disappointed.]
–”Ohio Means Home” [Uh-huh. And Florida means lower taxes, better development, better (and more exciting) weather, and retired Ohio Democrat Senators.]
Zach Schiller of Policy Matters Ohio says, “Increasing jobs and increasing income are certainly things that we all want to see happen.”
Richard Vedder, Ohio University professor (and Buckeye Institute scholar) says, “”I think it’s just rhetorical excess and wishful thinking at the extreme.”
We’ll let Buckeye Blog readers sort out who’s righter.
The governor, lieutenant governor, Speaker of of the House, and the Ohio Chamber are all happy that the “plan would shift economic-development resources to nine industries, with the goal of building Ohio’s strengths.”
Nine industries, huh? Can I guess the auto industry is one? Is there a requirement that we distribute the largesse to 88 counties? And gee, I hope you’re not a really smart, creative person with a tenth idea. We certainly don’t want people like you in Ohio.
Tags: economic development
