League of Women Voters of Ohio
Ohio State Government November 7, 2006 Election
	J. Kenneth Blackwell/Thomas Raga Answers Questions Candidate for Governor/Lt Governor; State of Ohio

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 (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

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)

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.

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)

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.

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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.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 7, 2006 10:24
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