Why Ohio Should Not Build High-Speed Rail

High-speed rail is an idea whose time has come- and gone. A technology that might have made sense a century ago is today merely an anachronism that could cost American taxpayers tens or hundreds of billions of dollars yet contribute little to mobility or environmental quality.

2009 Ohio Piglet Book

With a projected shortfall of $7.3 billion for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010, the budget forecast for Ohio is bleak. This shortfall comes after a tough budget period in FY 2009, in which Governor Ted Strickland ordered most state agencies to cut 4.75 percent from their budget in order to help make up a...

Phasing Out Ohio's Income Tax

Ohio's economy is anemic, ranking near the bottom of most lists on job creation, new investment and business climate. The state, not surprisingly, is also ranked among the most heavily taxed. It's time for Ohio policymakers to consider dramatic steps to reverse its long-term decline by creating an investment friendly business climate. Abolishing the state income tax, while politically bold, should be near the top of their agenda.

The 2006 Ohio Piglet Book

The Buckeye Institute teams up with Citizens Against Government Waste again to produce the 2006 Ohio Piglet Book.

Our 2006 edition features an examination of the state's $22 billion non-GRF budgets which grew at a little noticed 10% rate in 2006 over 2005.

An Economic Analysis of a Proposal to Legalize Casino Gambling in Ohio

Preface to the 2006 reprint In November 2006, an initiative will be placed on Ohio's ballot called the Learn and Earn Amendment.  The measure will allow slot machines to be installed at seven racetracks around Ohio, and three casinos to be constructed, two in Cleveland and one in...

2005 Ohio Piglet Book

The Buckeye Institute, with the help of Citizens Against Government Waste, has conducted the first comprehensive analysis of Ohio's budget and spending plans to see if Columbus has ceased its feckless ways. After ferreting out almost $3.5 billion of pork and waste in this budget, it is clear that our elected officials may not understand what fiscal constraint means to those who have to pay the tab.

Policy Report: Should Ohio Limit Government Spending and Taxes?

The state and local tax burden on the average Ohioan has risen dramatically over the past twenty-five years. By most accounts, Ohio has evolved from a state with one of the nation's lowest tax burdens to a state with one of the highest, with significant consequences.

One possible solution to this problem is for Ohioans to adopt a Tax and Expenditure Limitation, or TEL. These limitations exist in 27 states and have been effective in restraining state and local government spending under the right conditions.

The experiences of these and other states suggest to Ohioans that there are three requirements for an effective TEL: the TEL should be part of Ohio's constitution and limits should not be amended without approval of voters; state government spending and revenue growth should be limited to inflation plus population growth (not personal income growth); and surpluses should be automatically directed to a rainy day fund or, over certain minimum thresholds, refunded back to taxpayers.

Should Ohio Limit Government Spending and Taxes?

Ohio's state government spending increased by three times the inflation rate between 1994 and 2002. At this clip, the state government budget would double every 14 years. More importantly, this rate of growth outstrips income growth and exceeds our ability to pay for it. The result? Government spending as a share of Ohio's economy has increased rapidly since 1980. Ohio left the ranks of low-tax states in 1994 and has been one of the highest tax states in the nation since 2000.

For many, the only practical and realistic solution is to try what other states have already pioneered: adopt a binding constitutional limit on how much state and local governments can spend. These initiatives are also called Tax and Expenditure Limitations, or TELs.

New Directions for Fiscal Policy in Ohio: Citizen Attitudes Towards Spending and Taxation

Ohio's budget crisis has prompted elected officials in Ohio to consider various approaches to fiscal policy reform. Lawmakers have two basic strategies available: spending restraint or tax reform. Unfortunately, recent policy discussions have not reflected popular support or understanding of these issues. Most of the discussion has been "inside the beltway" and therefore isolated from the perspective of the state's voters. This report bridges the gap between spending trends and citizen support for fiscal policy reforms. Overall, Ohioans are deeply concerned about the direction of the State, and economic concerns rank among their most important worries.

Five Steps to Fundamental Tax Reform: A Pro-Growth Blueprint

By Samuel R. Staley, Ph.D. and Joshua C. Hall

Ohio policymakers are at a crossroads on tax reform. Ohio's current tax burden ranks among the highest in the nation, stifling economic growth and job creation. The tax system can be changed to promote private investment and job creation by adopting fundamental reforms that improve transparency, equity, and consistency in the tax code.

Should Electronic Slot Machines Fill the Budget Gap? An Assessment of Ohio Voter Attitudes

Ohio's budget crisis has prompted elected officials in Ohio to consider various approaches to tax reform. Unfortunately, these discussions have occurred without a gauge of popular support. This report is the first of two by The Buckeye Institute that assesses Ohio citizen concerns about tax reform and fiscal policy in Ohio. This report focuses on attitudes toward video lottery terminals, or VLTs. VLTs are electronic slot machines that would be placed at Ohio race tracks. Proponents argue they will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the state government.

Income Tax Progressivity in Ohio

Economic research shows that a high degree of income tax progressivity harms economic growth and increases the variability of a state's income tax revenue. In other words, a state with a highly progressive income tax code, such as Ohio's, will have lower economic growth and greater swings in income tax revenue than states with less progressive income tax systems.

Decentralizing Federal Employment: Feasibility and Impact on Ohio Cities

The Federal Government is facing a human capital "crisis." The average federal employee is 45 years old and by 2004 over 50 percent of the workforce - 900,000 employees-will be eligible to retire. Approximately 71 percent of the current federal workforce will be eligible to retire by 2010. More importantly, the challenge of replacing these workers is more daunting than ever.

While the federal government is beginning to grapple with these issues, few are considering decentralization of federal agency functions as an option. This is unfortunate for several reasons. First, moving to a city with a lower cost of living would increase the attractiveness of current government compensation. Second, relocating agency functions away from Washington, D.C. could have national security implications in the post-September 11th environment. Third, decentralization could help to improve the perspective of some agencies often accused of being "out of touch" with main street America. Finally, decentralization of federal functions and their workforce can have substantial economic benefits for the receiving cities.

This study focuses on the potential economic benefits of relocating federal agencies, divisions, and jobs to urban areas outside of Washington, D.C.

Grinding to a Halt - Ohio's Tax Policy and its Impact on Economic Growth

Ohio has rapidly increased its tax burden in the last generation, while its economic performance has been among the poorest of the American states. These two phenomena are closely related. This study concludes that, Ohio's tax burden rose over 20 percent in the two decades after 1977,...

Making Sense of the Ohio Estate Tax

Ohio’s population and aggregate personal income growth has lagged behind the national average and other states in the Midwest because of Ohio’s poor tax and fiscal policies, including itspunitive estate tax. If Ohio desires to regain its competitive edge, an appropriate starting point would be to repeal the Ohio estate tax. This action would send a message that those with significant assets will not be punished or chased to other states and will encourage investment in Ohio.

Tax Reform for Ohio's New Millenium

This report considers the implications of relying on income taxation as a major source of revenue for financing state government. The report argues income tax cuts are needed to ensure the long term prosperity of the state.

Taxicab Regulation in Ohio's Largest Cities

Ohio's largest cities impose numerous regulatory burdens on the start up and operation of taxicab businesses. The regulations often prohibit small, independent operators from starting a taxi business. This limits economic opportunities in Ohio's major cities. Additionally, the regulations severely limit service and price competition among taxi companies.

Meanwhile, other U.S. cities have found success in deregulating their taxi markets, Within the first six months of deregulation, Indianapolis had 32 new companies start up. In Denver, four entrepreneurs sued the State of Colorado in order to start their own company. "Freedom Cabs" became the first cab company in 48 years to open up in Denver and now employs 100 drivers.