February 5, 2009
Cleveland Plain-Dealer Interviews Staff Economist Josh Barro on Ohio’s Fiscal Situation
"Some See Ohio's Proposed Increases in Fees for Services, Programs as Hidden Taxes"
By Laura Johnston
If Gov. Ted Strickland gets his way, the state's newest chunk of money won't slip out of your paycheck or ring up with your purchases. It won't be called a tax.
Instead, it will sneak out of your pocket as you renew your vehicle registration, order an extra copy of your birth certificate or have your trash hauled away.
More than 150 fees will also burden mortgage brokers, insurance companies, hospitals, cigarette retailers, landlords, campgrounds and other businesses.
All could try to pass the costs on to customers.
"Since the costs go to businesses, they ultimately flow through to individuals," said Josh Barro, a state business tax expert at the right-leaning Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C. "People don't see them the way they see their property or income tax. The tax burden is there, it's just hidden."
