Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform has released the following statement in response to Gov. John Kasich’s income tax cut plan in Ohio:
In last night’s State of the State Address, Governor Kasich unveiled a plan to lower income tax rates for Ohioans by $2 billion. While this is a laudable goal, the proposal also contains nearly $1.5 billion in tax hikes – primarily on job creators.
The recent drop in energy prices has already triggered layoffs in some Ohio steel plants as the demand for pipeline manufacturing has declined. Increasing taxes on Ohio’s energy producers and small businesses could lead to more layoffs and set Ohio back in its economic recovery.
Additionally, the proposed increase on tobacco products leaves open the door to future income tax hikes as tobacco has proven consistently to be a declining source of revenue. And increasing taxes on e-cigarettes and vapor products, devices many people use to quit smoking and improve their health, is counter-productive to the goal of a healthier Ohio.
Between the year 2000 and 2009, Ohio’s spending exceeded the rate of inflation and population growth by $73.6 billion. There is room to cut in the state budget. The legislature would better serve Ohio taxpayers by reducing state spending and reducing income taxes rather than cutting taxes on the backs of job creators.
Gov. Kasich’s plan to reduce state income taxes is a step in the right the direction for Ohio taxpayers, but doing so on the backs of job creators leaves the plan less than inspiring.