At the State House
2010 – sixteen years ago. That was the last time Democrats controlled one side of the State Legislature, or the Governorship here in Ohio. In fact, for the past fourteen years, Republicans have held a “veto-proof” majority in the Legislature.
So it’s always kind of a “hoot” when you hear Republicans blame Democrats for what’s wrong here. After all, the GOP controls all the levers of power in the state, without check or balance. Democrats at the State House are down to deciding which “crazy-right” faction of the Republican Party they would support, in a kind of, “they’re bad, but the other guys are nuts,” choice.
Here in my little town, Pataskala, our school district went from financial stability to “instant” crisis. It wasn’t because they did anything wrong. The State Legislature has cut funding to schools for the past decade, dropping from 45% of the costs to 37%. Many schools, including ours, made up for the difference by going to the people and passing property tax levies for operating costs.
But that wasn’t enough cutting for the folks at the State House. They mandated a property tax “rollback”. So now the school is pleading to the voters again, asking for an income tax this time, to make up for the more than 10% deficit the state legislature created. Meanwhile, the taxpayers of Ohio are paying almost $1 billion to send kids to private schools, including religious schools, with vouchers. That’s 8% of Ohio’s state education money, public money going to private schools, in what euphemistically is called “school choice”. Do the math.
Bread and Butter
There’s a famous quote, inaccurately attributed to Mark Twain; “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” Ohio’s “experiment” with one-party rule is a great example of that.
But it’s election season, thirty-eight days until the vote is finalized. And Republicans are faced with a rare crisis of their own. While incessant gerrymandering will still guarantee a Republican majority in the legislature; the statewide offices, particularly for Governor and the US Senate are up for grabs. In the most recent polling both Democrat Amy Acton (Governor) and Sherrod Brown (Senate) hold 3% leads over their Republican opponents (although within the polling margin of error).
The biggest campaign issue isn’t the war in Iran, or even the “horrifying specter” of transgendered girls competing in women’s sports. Ohio is literally a “bread and butter” state, and both are costing a whole lot more than they did just two years ago. A lot of that’s because both bread and butter, and almost every other commodity, is arriving at the retail store on a truck. That truck runs on diesel fuel, that used to cost $3.50/gallon, way back in January. Today, down at the I-70 interchange, it’s now doubled to $7.04.
Gas isn’t much better. After New Year’s it was $2.53/gallon, today it’s right around $4.50. Ohioans aren’t dumb. They know that the costs of oil are driven by events in the Middle East, most of which were caused by President Trump’s “war of choice” with Iran. But knowing that doesn’t make them feel any better, as they hear that giant sucking sound in their wallets, filling the tank one more time.
Back in Session
And state Republicans are afraid the voters are going to take those “negative feelings” out on them.
Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton made a suggestion last week. Ohio charges a $0.38/gallon tax on gas, and $0.47/gallon on diesel. She called for a suspension of the tax for ninety days, allowing Ohioans a little financial breathing room. The Republican candidate for Governor, Vivek Ramaswamy, thought that was such a great idea, that he called for the state legislature to come back into session and pass it.
Now Vivek doesn’t hold an office in Ohio; he never has. His qualifications are that he is a self-made billionaire, who grew up in Cincinnati, and ran for President in 2024, for a minute. Ohio still has a Republican Governor, Mike DeWine, who expressed grave doubts about the tax suspension. But Republicans need something to turn this election around, both for Vivek and for John Husted, running against Sherrod Brown. So the Republican Speaker of the House, Matt Huffman is all-in on Ramaswamy’s suggestion (not, of course, Acton’s).
Sugar High
Don’t be surprised if the Legislature meets in emergency session, and suspends the tax for ninety days. And don’t be surprised if Mike DeWine gets “over” his doubts, and signs onto the legislation. The few Democrats in the legislature aren’t fools, they’ll join in too.
The question is: will the “sugar high” of gas going down to “just” $4.00/gallon be enough to change voter opinions?
Like I said before, I don’t think Ohio voters are stupid. They’ll see this for what it is – a short-term solution to a much greater long-term problem. They’ll take the money, but I don’t think it will buy their votes. Ohioans might even do something they haven’t done in over a decade. They might, “throw the bums out,” and let the Democrats have a try at making things better.
It’s hard to see how they could do worse.
