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BuckeyeBlog |
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[wait for it...wait for it... Ok, now...]
It’s so easy to give away taxpayers’ dollars in the form of politically-directed corporate welfare…when you yourself are not a taxpayer!
Talk about being a bad host. Ohio was just ranked 45th in a national survey that asked CEOs for their opinion of states as it relates to jobs and business growth. 
Chief Executive magazine’s 2009 “Best & Worst States” survey polled 543 chief executives on a range of issues, including proximity to resources, regulation, tax policies, education, quality of living and infrastructure.
Perception, as they say, is reality. And if CEOs across the country do not view Ohio as a good place to set up shop, we should only expect our economic woes to worsen in the coming years.
Apparently Lt. Governor Lee Fisher is concerned because there isn’t enough money to implement his economic development plans for the state. I’m confused as to why the state needs to spend tax money on economic development in the first place. Economic growth doesn’t come from the government; it comes from businesses and individuals interacting in the marketplace. In fact, one of the main impediments to economic growth is taxes, the shortage of which is preventing Lt. Gov. Fisher’s plans. But if the Lt. Governor really wants an economic growth plan, why doesn’t he support something like eliminating Ohio’s income tax? I’d wager that this move would do much more for economic development than all the government programs Fisher is supporting.
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.
Earlier this week, from the Department of Development:
Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that more than $1.6 million in economic development and roadwork development grants have been awarded to aid in the growth of businesses and the creation and retention of jobs in Ohio. The grants, administered by the Ohio Department of Development, were approved today by the State Controlling Board and could create 324 positions and retain 1,514 jobs for Ohioans.
“Through strategic investments, we are helping to provide Ohio’s communities with the tools they need to compete for economic development, and businesses with the tools they need to invest and succeed in Ohio,” said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Our robust partnerships with these businesses and communities are fostering the development that will grow Ohio’s economy.”
