League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
Butler County, OH November 2, 2004 Election
	Melvin A. Smith Answers Questions Candidate for State Senate; District 4

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.

Read the answers from all candidates.

Questions & Answers

1. What are your qualifications for office?

I have worked in labor 23 years and been elected to 4 different positions including President and Vice-president Butler. Warren-Clinton AFL-CIO, Vice-president CWA 4400. I have extensive experience and training in budgets, Federal mediation/arbitration, negotiation and bargaining; all the same duties performed by our State legislature but accomplished in a labor-corporate environment. I have earned 21 endorsements representing more 1han 110,000 people, evidence of their confidence in mc. I am Butler County's choice for Senate!

In addition, I am an honored and decorated veteran of the US Air Force and lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). American legion and the Disabled American Veterans (OAV). I sit as labor's voice on the Board of Cincinnati Red Cross and Butler County United Way. I am the "2004 Democrat of the Year" awarded by Butler County Democratic Party. I am an avid supporter of working men and women of Butler County. Together we must bring sensible and responsive leadership to the General Assembly to take Ohio into a bright future. Together, we must rid our state of the one party rule that has us in a stranglehold!

3. Would you change Ohio's business tax structure, and if so, how and why?

Ohio's business tax structure definitely Deeds to be changed. There needs to be incentives for new job creation in terms of tax credits. There also has to be responsibility for failure to abide by promises made to obtain concessions. The overall focus of how businesses related to the State government needs to be redefined in terms of fairness for both business and communities to get jobs here, but also preventing the outsourcing of jobs whenever possible.

4. What should be the state's role in encouraging local governments to work together?

The State should focus on job development and fairness in educational opportunities. There should be leadership in the form of focused collaboration to get local governments to work together to get businesses to locate/relocate in our communities The State should use the Economic Development offices to facilitate contact between businesses and local government The State should also use its resources to troubleshoot potential obstacles to promote real job growth.

The State should also use is power to pool resources and develop fair programs so that all have access to a good education including college. This is the core of an overall plan to make Ohio attractive to businesses.

5. What plans do you have to promote a more balanced transportation system in Ohio?

Ohio needs public transportation. It can be promoted with real marketing that changes the image of what public transportation is and shows how it can be used as an alterative transportation method. Additional focus needs to coordinate the immense possibilities of public transportation in support of new business opportunities. Routes need to be both user-friendly and business-friendly. Studies need to be commissioned to see if systems like Washington D. C.'s public transportation, can be implemented here in our region and communities. Successful public transportation plays an important role in the elimination of the ineffective and unfair E-check in Butler County.

6. How would you implement your top priority?

Butler County has a lucrative property tax base so many of our tax dollars are shipped to schools around Ohio. I want to keep Butler County's education dollars in Butler County. Let's explore funding schools by diverting existing sales tax on all items sold primarily for children & families with children (including diapers, toys, child furniture, clothing, books, supplies, family-oriented vehicles; CD's, DVD's. marketed fur children/teens).

7. How would you implement your second priority?

Lower prescription drug costs via fair prescription pricing program similar to or in partnership with the Veteran's Administration. Governmental favoritism to drug companies must end. Direct to the patient drug advertising needs severe limitations so doctors are not pressured to prescribe newer, higher priced and often unproven drugs. Allow Ohioans access to lower priced identical Canadian drugs. Educate patients and doctors about alternatives such as vitamin and herbal treatment along with more healthy lifestyles.

U.S. Senate: Total words in answer to the question may not exceed 100 words. The word limit must be observeds. Words over the limit will be cut off in published information.