Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute issued the following statement upon the Ohio Tax Expenditure Review Committee passing its report by a vote of 4-2.

“The Buckeye Institute appreciates the efforts of the Tax Expenditure Review Committee to examine Ohio’s tax expenditures. However, we hope that as this process continues there are further opportunities for a more detailed and rigorous examination of tax expenditures and special interest loopholes.

“When we first called for the creation of the review committee in 2011, The Plain Dealer said, ‘When 3 think tanks with quite different outlooks agree on a list of tax loopholes to close, Ohio's leaders should listen.’ At that time, The Buckeye Institute, along with the Center for Community Solutions and the Greater Ohio Policy Center, identified 20 loopholes that should have been closed. Earlier this year, Buckeye identified $1.8 billion in loopholes that should be closed.

“Clearly, there remains numerous tax expenditures and loopholes that can be eliminated and closed to simplify Ohio’s tax code. Doing so would create a tax climate that is positive for job creation and helps hardworking Ohioans by keeping their taxes low and making sure special interests don’t get unfair tax breaks.”

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