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The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
See below for questions on
Economy,
School Funding
Click on a name for candidate information. See also more information about this contest.
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1. What will you do as Governor to improve the economy of Ohio? Specifically, to attract new business to Ohio and to keep college graduates from leaving the state? (150 word limit)
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Answer from Ted Strickland/Lee Fisher:
The Strickland/Fisher Turnaround Ohio plan will create and keep jobs in Ohio by investing in Ohio's strengths, such as energy production and entrepreneurship, while bringing to Ohio the jobs of the future by making sure that we have the most educated workforce possible. We know that healthy, happy children are able to learn; that good learners in effective schools become educated students ready to contribute as workers; that able workers stay where there are worthy opportunities. We know that when good jobs are performed well, for fair pay, we start a cycle of success that builds its own momentum, creating opportunities for new investment, a growing tax base, and stable families -- everything Ohio has been losing for almost two decades. You can learn more about the specific proposals in the Strickland/Fisher Turnaround Ohio plan at tedstrickland.com.
Answer from J. Kenneth Blackwell/Thomas Raga:
As Ohio's next Governor, my top priority is to rebuild our economy and create new jobs by: (1) making our tax code friendlier towards job creation, (2) reforming our regulatory system, (3) finishing the job on tort reform, (4) improving performance in our public schools and (5) providing affordable health care options for all Ohioans.
We cannot tax our way into economic recovery. We must control spending and cut taxes to be competitive. I will spur economic growth and job creation through a lease of the Ohio Turnpike. This will provide new dollars to invest in infrastructure projects vital to job growth, without new taxes.
We will improve our education system by requiring more of every education dollar be spent on in-classroom expenditures.
If we improve our tax structure and educational system, we make a strong case for young professionals to work, live and raise a family in Ohio.
Answer from William S. "Bill" Peirce/Mark M. Noble:
I will improve the general business climate by eliminating the Commercial Activities Tax and the Estate Tax, cutting the Income Tax, privatizing the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, and reducing and regularizing regulation. Special favors to particular firms and industries must be eliminated. We cannot bribe our way to prosperity because programs that are intended to "create jobs" actually destroy more jobs than they create. College graduates will gladly stay in Ohio when the businesses are creating good new jobs.
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2. Given that school funding in Ohio has been ruled unconstitutional, what measures will you propose to provide the necessary resources to public school systems to ensure students' success? (150 word limit)
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Answer from Ted Strickland/Lee Fisher:
Ted Strickland will be a law-abiding Governor, and I will be a law-abiding Lt. Governor. We will make Ohio a law-abiding state by finally obeying the Ohio Supreme Court and funding our schools fully and fairly. Obviously, that will take intensive negotiation with the legislature, as well as all stakeholders. But this much is clear: we need to shift away from an over-reliance on the residential property tax and shift to a fairer way for our state to bring a floor of basic quality funding to all of our schools.
Answer from William S. "Bill" Peirce/Mark M. Noble:
I will ensure that the state budget includes full funding for a base cost that meets the constitutional standard for thorough and efficient education. The state funding would be included in the individual "backpack" of funding that would follow the student to the school chosen by the family in the event that the local public school does not serve the student adequately. The state has an obligation to make educational opportunities available to every child when the local district does not do so.
Answer from J. Kenneth Blackwell/Thomas Raga:
Taxpayers are frustrated with billions being spent without positive results. We need to expand options for schools to reduce dependency on property taxes and rely more on the general revenue fund.
In an effort to improve Ohio schools' classroom performance, Ken Blackwell and I are calling for "The 65 Cent Solution." The proposal would require every Ohio school district to spend at least 65 cents of every state education dollar on "in the classroom" instruction. This adds more than $1.2 billion funding for our children without a tax increase. That's enough to purchase a new computer for every student or hire 24,000 additional teachers with a salary of $40,000. Special program emphasis on math, science, and technology will be funded by proceeds from the turnpike lease noted in Blackwell's answer.
Responses to questions asked of each candidate
are reproduced as submitted to the League.
Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. 150 Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.
The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.
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League of Women Voters of Ohio
