Gov: Columnist Chides Blackwell (R) For Accusation on Raising Taxes

Canton Repository columnist Michael E. Hanke criticizes gubernatorial candidate Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R-Cincinnati) today for saying in last week's debate in Youngstown that opponent Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon) will raise taxes if elected. As Hanke points out, a governor can’t raise taxes:

He might propose a tax, and he might even veto a tax bill, but only the Legislature can raise taxes. And since hell has a better chance of freezing over than the Democrats have in taking over a majority of seats in either house of the Ohio Legislature in November, you aren’t going to see a tax increase proposal from a Democrat [sic] governor pass in Ohio.

He's right, of course. Despite all of Blackwell's dire warnings, Governor Strickland wouldn't be able to raise taxes in Ohio even if he tried, unless the voters shock all the pundits by turning over control of the General Assembly. Even in that event, Strickland says that a tax increase would be bad for Ohio and isn't necessary to implement his Turn Around Ohio plan.

So, Mr. Blackwell, stop trying to scare the voters with that misleading accusation about raising taxes.