State Issue 2

State Issue 2 is now behind us and most agree on one thing … it was one of the most divisive and contentious public policy issues this state and our community have faced in a long while. In a recent Dayton Daily News Op-ed piece on October 30^th, I spoke of concerns about how do we as a community and state continue to fund our schools and local governments. Issue 2 overturned Senate Bill 5, just one piece of the puzzle. There is still much more to balancing our future budgets; but where do we go from here?

We may be at or near the “perfect storm” as it pertains to sustained funding of good local and state government. With the sluggish economy, high unemployment, reduction of property values, foreclosures, reduced wages and less state funding for local schools and community governments, there are few choices left … either government job layoffs or passing new, higher and more tax levies. Just look at the November 8^th election … only six of sixteen new-money levies passed for our area schools. My own school district in Beavercreek lost its levy a second time and immediately announced sixty new layoffs.

We are at one of Ohio’s most challenging times for taxpayers as to how to pay for government services; and it may not get any better until our economy returns to a much more robust environment. This issue is something that our community must solve together or face another bloody ballot battle.

The issue of sustaining good government will not go away. It will probably now fall more squarely on the shoulders of our local elected leaders and their tax-paying constituents. Cost of fuel for school buses and government vehicles, wages, healthcare, text books, street repairs, utilities and more will continue to rise … but will our tax revenues? Does anyone’s crystal ball predict the guarantee of new tax levies passing at future elections … in every district or community … every time? I think not. We must sit together … both sides and come up with viable solutions to improve the efficiencies of government, mediate rising costs, and perhaps even reduce the cost of government for our taxpayers.

Maybe, just maybe this idea of regional collaboration and shared services is ripe for us to begin serious consideration and debate … from all sides.