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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2011 > February > 01 > Entry
House approves JobsOhio plan for economic development
Republican Gov. John Kasich got the vote he wanted Tuesday from the Ohio House, but it took two and a half hours of heated debate before Kasich’s “JobsOhio” won approval.
The vote was 59-37 on House Bill 1, with Rep. Connie Pillich, D-Cincinnati, voting with Republicans accidentally, an aide to Pillich said. The bill now goes to the Senate, also controlled by Republicans.
It would privatize the state’s economic development effort by creating a non-profit corporation run by a nine-member board, headed by the governor.
JobsOhio would not be a state agency and the state’s open meetings law and public records law would not apply to it, although supporters said there would be sufficient public disclosure. Kasich has made it a key ingredient in his plan to make Ohio “open for business.”
It’s what the state needs at a time of unemployment hovering around 10 percent and thousands of jobs continuing to leave the state, he and his allies have said.“We need a different direction,” said Rep. Danny Bubp, R-West Union. “This bill does that….Ohio is at war with other states and countries for jobs.”
The plan lacks accountability and transparency, said Democrats.
“Accountability and transparency are what separates Ohio and America from the Chinese and Iranians and the 18th century English,” said Minority Leader Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, former House Speaker.
“John Kasich does not want to be governor. He wants to be king. We….do not bow down to kings.”
House Speaker William Batchelder, R-Medina, said he thought Budish’s rhetoric was “somewhat extreme.” Batchelder, a former state appeals court judge, said, however, that he also has concerns - which he wouldn’t detail - about the bill. He said that he hopes they can be worked out in the Senate.
He said it’s possible, but not certain, that a final version of the bill could be ready to send to Kasich before the governor submits his budget to the legislature in mid-March.
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By Squirrellygirl
February 7, 2011 12:34 PM | Link to this
Looks like you can’t “spend” your way out of a recession, and I suppose raising taxes on businesses either drives them away or puts them in an economic decline to where they have to lay people off or not expand business and definitely is adverse to hiring new people. Obama has proven his plan doesn’t work. Oh, and brilliant idea, Nobama, to add a trillion dollars to our deficit and drive up hc insurance premiums and hc costs, AND add an army of IRS personnel to help “collect” more taxes or penalties, or whatever you are calling the mandates now. Obama reminds me of Bam Bam from the Flintstones. Just keep pounding on that there drum, Obama. The message hasn’t changed at all, has it? The voters sent a message to the politicians at the last election, but were the Democrats listening? The answer is a resounding NO!
By Squirrellygirl
February 7, 2011 12:25 PM | Link to this
I read some of Karon’s rantings on here. Has anyone seen the commercial of the guy who didn’t get the nicer items when he was a kid, and his mom and dad told him it was the same thing, but he said “no, it’s not!” and then at the end of the commercial he buys this car he loves…that commercial reminds me of Karon. She must have been toyless as a child! Somebody buy her a toy train—quickly! She needs to grow up. Seriously.
By Huh?
February 2, 2011 12:52 PM | Link to this
obama did everything in his power to ensure stickland didn’t get reelected. obama made 11 campaign stops in the buckeye state, more than anyother state, and strickland was at 10 of them. all while obama’s popularity was plunging. the last one in cleveland was to a half empty csu arena. go kasich! obama doesn’t need successful governors to look bad—he has biden and holder for that.
By karon
February 2, 2011 12:40 PM | Link to this
BY Paul, Kasich does not care about ohioians getting jobs , especially since that would make Obama look good if the country is working again in 2012! Kasich and his republican friends are trying to do anything they can so that Obama will NOt be priesdent again!
By Paul
February 2, 2011 11:31 AM | Link to this
Ohio needs Jobs, and Kasich “gets that” more than Strickland Ever Will. Kasich will put people in place who know how to bring jobs to Ohio, and we Must support his efforts; we will all benefit one way or another from these efforts. Previous efforts for economic development were a failure because perhaps the people involved didn’t have a clue how to attract or even keep jobs in Ohio… that damage has already been done and hopefully we learn a lesson from it. The private sector understands jobs, the economy, and what it takes to attract business in Ohio, much better than the public sector… (we have years of proof)
By Mike R
February 2, 2011 11:26 AM | Link to this
Victoria is the reason lawyers get bad raps. Well, throw in the “Tiger” chasing ambulances into the E.R. drop zone and now you get the idea. Vicky isn’t motivated by “constituational” law as she would want you to believe. She is driven by pure ideology—law be damned. Her website and facebook show an obsession with John Kasich, and not in a good way. Her links are only to liberal organizations. If she were truly concerned about law, and not an obsession with the current governor, she would link her site to objective blogs/articles…
By Mike R
February 2, 2011 10:40 AM | Link to this
Karon says: “those states such as Ohio who are totally dependent on a car and highway for transportation are going to have it rough when gas prices start reaching 4 and 5 dollars.” Great logic, Karon! Would you like me to list all 50 of those states?? Karon says: “doesnt matter if the train is slow or fast those trains are transportation!” So are horse drawn carts. Put your words into action, Karon, when gas hits $4/gal—I’ll try not and confuse you with my Amish friends as I wave while driving by.
By birdseed
February 2, 2011 8:38 AM | Link to this
Good job Victoria! That’s the kind of participatory government we need. Don’t let these jokers ignore their own rules and laws, and constitution. We have them in place for a reason.
By Thelma Slade
February 2, 2011 7:25 AM | Link to this
Gov. Kasich I approve of over Strickland. Strickland supported that healthcare bill and stood in the way of Ohio joining the law suit. Now the Gov. Kasich should take note that his supporters expect him to open about the business he conducts. Unlike Obama with those czars he has. Who does Obama think he is getting involved with telling the Egyptian President what to do? He can support peace without making those Islamists think we believe in them! The Islamists I stand against. I care for Israel. Our Lord cares for Israel and I pray for her.
By John Calvin Mills
February 2, 2011 7:14 AM | Link to this
I support Kasich at this point even though I don’t quite approve of this JobsOhio plan. He does need to be transparent. I am glad he stands with Ohio joining the law suit against the healthcare bill. We need to take that bill down. Obama shouldn’t be driving the car. He should be in the back seat. He should keep his mouth shut and stay out of Egypt’s problems. He should promote peace without expecting the Egyptian President to step down. I certainly don’t approve of those radical Muslims. I stand with Israel and America!
By K-Columbus
February 2, 2011 3:03 AM | Link to this
I fear that JobsOhio is merely a private-sector screen for Gov. Kasich to funnel our tax money to his favorite investors/donors. When Gov. Kasich makes a decision on whether to accept federal money for high-speed rail, we know the facts and we know who makes the decision. If JobsOhio is created by this bill, we will know essentially nothing. Outside of Gov. Kasich and his circle of friends, nobody in Ohio should be comfortable with this plan. The designated JobsOhio director Mark Kvamme, who together with his wife donated over $44,000 to the Kasich campaign, probably likes the plan — but he has never lived in Ohio.
By karon
February 1, 2011 11:06 PM | Link to this
THE FACTS, actually the passenger trains would have cost less to operate and maintain than highways! Ohio should fix the highways it already has, and the rest should be invested into passenger trains!
By Facts
February 1, 2011 9:57 PM | Link to this
@Karon Those trains would have cost the state’s more money then it brought in. The original 400 million wouldn’t have covered the full start up cost. So, add the additional start up cost/1st year costs to the already 8 billion dollar shortfall this state has. Now, add to that the fact that it would have cost the state more money each year afterwards that we would have had to make up in either taxes or further budget cuts. Don’t believe me, take a look at the first Government subsidized rail system. Perhaps you’ve heard of it, it is called AMTRAK and it has yet to have a profitable year, in fact, it hasn’t even broke even one time. That means each year it is in existence, we the people, have to subsidize it in the Federal Budget, of which we are running continual deficits. You tell me, does this sound like a winning situation for our state, doubt it
By karon
February 1, 2011 9:16 PM | Link to this
Troyoh, doesnt matter if the train is slow or fast those trains are transportation! Actually the slow train would have given Ohio an advantage into making the train more in the fast lane! Now Ohio has No advantage! Ohio citizens are going to be looking at 4 and 5 dollar gas prices possibly even more!
By troyoh
February 1, 2011 9:08 PM | Link to this
I know this is hopeless, too many people make up their own facts and they give uninformed opinions. The low speed train deal was plain dumb for many reasons. BUT, here is what Obama said repeatedly on his jobs swing thru the midwest after the State of union-we need to improve and increase the midwest’s freight rail infrastructure(transportation is key to exports and jobs). Those are his words. During debate #2 with Strickland, Kasich he would turn down the low speed passenger rail system, for which there is simply no demand, and spend money to increase our freight rail system-those were his words. So ignore the facts if it is more comfortable for you but the cost is your comments are worthless. That is too bad b/c obviously you care and it’d be helpful to have your informed input. And instead of trying to play Supreme Court and frustrate an attempt at progress, do some volunteer work and help somebody.
By karon
February 1, 2011 8:57 PM | Link to this
Mike R , those states such as Ohio who are totally dependent on a car and highway for transportation are going to have it rough when gas prices start reaching 4 and 5 dollars, this will hurt people and busineses will have to close up! This is why those passenger trains are important to have for jobs and economics!
By karon
February 1, 2011 8:23 PM | Link to this
Victoria, I wish the mayors of the Ohio cities that the passenger train would have benefitted from, would bring a lawsuit against the state of Ohio for losing the passenger train money!
By Mike R
February 1, 2011 8:05 PM | Link to this
Karon started to make an excellent point, but she stopped short (once again). The State that gets train money will be a step ahead of Ohio in the Bankruptcy line as they surely won’t be able to subsidize the routes under Obama’s plan.
By Victoria
February 1, 2011 8:03 PM | Link to this
Jobs Ohio violates a number of sections of the Ohio Constitution. As a lawyer and ohio con expert, I would expect Batchelder to notice this and slow this bill down and actually stop it. When he did not, I wrote up my legal analysis of constitutionality of the bill which appears on my new web site, StatehouseWatch.org and on my KasichWatch community page on facebook. I emailed it to both D’s and R’s in the house. Sounds like maybe somebody read it. But had already scheduled a floor vote and did not want to back down.
By karon
February 1, 2011 7:45 PM | Link to this
Ohio was offered 400 million for a passenger trains! Those trains would have created jobs and economic development! The state who gets Ohio train money will be a step ahead of Ohio !