September 22, 2008
State Business Tax Climate Index Cited for Hillsboro Times Gazette Op-Ed on Income Taxes
"End Income Tax and Ohio Will Thrive"
By Marc Kilmer
What should the state do to stimulate Ohio's economy? That's the question many Ohio residents and politicians are asking as the state continues to stagnate. Unfortunately, some seem to ignore the main problem facing the state—its oppressive tax climate. Without fundamental tax reform Ohio will continue to see jobs locate elsewhere and population growth dwindle.
Every year the nonpartisan Tax Foundation rates states based on their tax climate. Those who burden their citizens with heavy taxes that kill jobs and strangle economic activity rank at the bottom. In recent times, Ohio has ranked near the bottom every year.
The results of this are obvious. One of the things politicians from both parties agree on is that Ohio's economy is in trouble. Even during the good economic times of a few years ago, Ohio experienced lower-than-average economic growth. Now that the nation's economy in stagnating, Ohio is suffering even more.
