The lone Republican among Ohio's statewide office-holders warned lawmakers Thursday the proposed budget they are considering could lead to a $7.9 billion deficit in 2013.
Mary Taylor based the results on an analysis conducted by her office on Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland's spending plan for the next two years.....
...Strickland, in a prepared statement in response to the Taylor's report, countered that his budget proposal was fiscally responsible and sustainable. He added a failure to use federal stimulus dollars would mean more job losses and decreased state services for residents in need....
Taylor and Republicans are making a concerted effort to fight against Strickland's budget and other proposals. However, Ohioans want to know if Taylor's 'analysis' was influenced by the input of Ohio Republican lawmakers or are her findings unbiased?
*** The high speed rail plan proposed by the Obama administration could change the face of transportation in Ohio and the nation. If you've ever been in Europe, you are aware that passenger trains are an important part of commerce. Why not add trains here?
....President Barack Obama and top transportation officials proposed routes that could run from Cleveland to Toledo before heading to Chicago, and from Cincinnati to Indianapolis and then to Chicago. Another route could run between Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati....
Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said studies have indicated 16,700 new jobs could be created in Ohio by expanding passenger rail service, in addition to tens of thousands of construction jobs.
"It is the right thing to do for our mobility and our environment," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said of Obama's ambitious rail plan....
Commuters, students, visitors, farmers, business people, and others could use trains for many different reasons. For example, farmers could ship produce to other cities. College students could take classes at another university in a different Ohio city. We should not let anyone stop the development of this new rail system because we have more to gain than lose.