Raising income taxes in Ohio

Thomas Suddes continues to push for higher income taxes for Ohio. Or, as he says, just delay the planned last phase of the income tax cut from the 2005 tax bill. Either way you look at it, his idea would mean higher taxes for Ohioans.

I've got an idea for Mr. Suddes. He can continue to pay the higher rate after the tax reduction is implemented. That way, he can sleep better at night.

He mentions the "21%" income tax cut in the 2005 tax bill. What he does not mention is the sales tax increase. Remember that? That's when we had our sales taxes raised because we were in an "emergency" and it was only "temporary". Then, about a year later, the sales tax hike was cut in half. In other words, after this we were left with a tax increase, though just not as much. (This is when the GOP got in trouble with their base....and I believe this is what cost them the 2006 elections......) We were told that having our sales tax hike reduced 50% was a tax cut!!! I know we've all gotten dumber since the 60s, but anytime we have a tax hike of .5 cents. Then awhile later the sales tax is reduced .25 cents, that is a tax hike of .25 cents from where we started. This was not a tax cut as the GOP tried to sell it.

Then, during this same time period, we increase the sale tax on fuel (incrementally) by 6 cents. This was to help the counties and townships (which should be abolished, townships that is) with their road maintenance.

As a matter of fact, the Tax Foundation has Ohio ranked number 47th (with 1 being good!) tax friendly state for business. This is a 2006 study. The CAT tax was implemented in 2005 and should be accounted for in this.

I'm convince that we are losing businesses (and the jobs that go with them) due to high tax rates. See previous examples here and here.

As far as personal (state and local taxes), Ohio is number 7 (with 1 being the highest). As a side note; in 1977 Ohio was number 45!

Ohio is taxing itself out of existence. It looks like Ohio will lose two more congressional seats. This is determined by state's population vs. other states. We all know folks that have moved to Texas and Alaska looking for and finding work. We all probably know retirees that have moved to Florida to shield their income from Ohio's income tax.

I'd say we need to lower taxes, not raise them. And we need to do it fast before the last one out forgets to turn the lights off.