Cincinnati Enquirer...
Kasich: No more for local governments
Governor covers a lot of ground in conversation 

DOWNTOWN — State money will not be restored for local governments, Gov. John R. Kasich told The Enquirer in a wide-ranging discussion with the newspaper’s editorial board and reporters. 

Thursday’s discussion was the governor’s first with the board since taking office in January 2011elected. 

Kasich also talked about the economy, President Barack Obama, charter schools and his faith, among other issues. Here’s what he said: 

CUTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

Last summer, Kasich’s office announced cuts to the state’s local government fund – hundreds of millions of dollars divvied between the state’s cities, villages and townships each year, representing 3.68 percent of the state’s operating budget. Communities spend the money as they see fit. 

Today, they get 75 percent of what they’ve traditionally received and in July they’ll lose another 25 percent. Kasich didn’t waffle on the topic, even in light of a predicted state surplus. 

“You can either cut Medicaid, cut the schools more,” Kasich said. “The federal government cut revenue sharing back in the ‘70s. This is revenue sharing.” 

Kasich said he will veto any bill passed by the state legislature that restores local government funds. He held out a glimmer of hope for local communities, however, saying if the state’s economy continues to improve, he might reexamine the funding formula. 

“If you want to spend, raise it locally,” he said. “Do you realize we had a near death experience? And when you have a near death experience you don’t go back to the old behavior. You need new behavior.” 

The cuts hit some communities hard – including many townships that don’t collect income tax. Some, like Amberley Village, raised taxes for the first time in decades in March. 

OHIO’S IMPROVING ECONOMY 

“We’re outperforming every other state,” the governor said, repeating a pitch he has made to groups across the state. 

A state’s national ranking can vary depending who is doing the ranking, what data is used and what the criteria are. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ohio created more jobs in the Midwest than any other state in 2011 as long as Pennsylvania is not considered part of the Midwest. Nationally, Ohio was ninth in job creation as of January. 

Kasich said Ohio has improved because his administration has brought predictability to regulations and access to financial help. Locally, he pointed to Omnicare’s move from Covington, Kentucky to downtown Cincinnati and the expansion of marketer dunnhumbyUSA. 

“It’s safe to invest” in Ohio, the governor said. “We have the scale, size and workforce. Ohio is a natural winner. Cincinnati is one of the greatest cities in the nation.” 

HIS MANAGEMENT STYLE 

“There’s no turf fighting,” said Kasich, explaining how his administration works to attract employers and jobs. “We don’t do a lot of politics. We work in teams.” 

Kasich also said he doesn’t micromanage his staff, because “I’ve found micro-managers get slaughtered.” He said he provides support for decisions his agency directors make. 

“I’m uncomfortable (taking credit) – it’s a we, not a me,” the governor said. “I set people free.” 

PRESIDENT OBAMA 

Kasich, who has played golf and attended a basketball game with Obama, said he likes the president, but the governor criticized him for making the “federal government a wind in our face.” 

Though Kasich said Congress lacks the cooperation and willingness to compromise to get things done, he said Obama as the leader of the federal government is responsible for putting in place rules and regulations that have slowed economic growth. Kasich pointed to the federal Environmental Protection Agency as an example of an agency having too many rules that impede business development. 

NO ‘TAX AND SPEND’ 

Kasich reiterated that he does not want the Legislature to go on a “tax and spend” spree now that the state’s so-called rainy day fund is growing and it appears the state will bring in more revenue than anticipated by the end of the fiscal year on June 30. 

“The (national) economy is anemic and weak,” he said. In Ohio, “we’re finally getting people to work; we’re getting people out of poverty; we’re seeing more revenue. The reason we’re seeing more revenue is because the (Ohio) economy is better.” 

He said it would be “voodoo economics” to revert to the spending patterns of the past. Kasich said most of the budget improvements have come from reform not cuts in spending. 

CHARTER SCHOOLS 

Charter schools “need to make sure they are not putting kids in a setting where they are not learning.” 

If they do, Kasich said, the state will close them. The Ohio Department of Education is expected to have evaluation standards for charters in place by April 2013. “I’m about what’s going to work,” he said. 

HIRING THE DISABLED 

Kasich’s “Employment First Initiative,” an executive order he issued in March, is intended to prepare the developmentally disabled for employment. “It allows them to reach their potential,” he said. 

The initiative seeks to improve collaboration among the departments of Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Education and Job and Family Services, and the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission. 

SECOND CHANCES 

Abraham, Jacob and David got second chances and did well, Kasich said of the Biblical figures. So did Charles Colson, who was convicted as part of the Watergate scandal during the administration of President Richard M. Nixon. The governor used all of them as illustrations of why it is important that Ohio give non-violent, convicted felons a second chance by reforming criminal sentencing. He said he will remove barriers to employment for about 14,000 felons. 

“I’ll be accused of being soft on crime,” Kasich said. “If you have demonstrated you’re serious, we’ll put you on the road to success. If you’re violent, unrepetant, then you’re not going anywhere.” 

Kasich said “faith talk in prison makes a difference.” 

HIS FAITH 

Since taking office 16 months ago, Kasich said his faith has grown. 

“I have come to the realization that I’ve been entrusted with this position,” he said. “The Creator gave me the opportunity to have authority. I need to be compassionate. I need to be fair. I need to be just. It’s what the creator would want from me.” 

Will he “screw up, stumble and do something stupid? Count on it,” Kasich said. 

“The Lord is smiling when we help the poor,” he said. “Power is a dangerous thing. Let’s do it right.” 

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