The only thing I see in his budget good is privatizing the liquor sales in Ohio, although it is a very good revenue stream even in a depression. The government should only be involved in things that the private sector is unwilling or unable to provide the public at a reasonable cost. Unfortunately, even this Kasich is screwing up. He is giving Robsohio this revenue stream, breaking a promise just weeks ago that Robsohio would be funded by the private sector. I am sure writer and the boys are just fine with this one to.
Lets look at his proposal a bit deeper, and see how us taxpayers are getting screwed again.
Let’s look at the math:
Profits on liquor sales generate $228 million for the state of Ohio every year. JobsOhio is set to take over liquor sales oversight and own that revenue stream. They, in turn, will sell 30 years worth of that revenue — worth around $6.8 billion — to a group of investors (recruited by a Wall Street firm, who will of course take a cut) in return for a lump sum payment to the state.
According to the administration, they expect to receive about $1.5 billion in return for this $6+ billion in state revenue. Of that, around $300 million will fund JobsOhio, $700 million will defease the bonds that are currently back by liquor profits and $500 million will go to the state general fund to plug the current budget hole.
How many problems do you see here?
* We are selling nearly $7 billion in revenue for $1.5 billion
* If there are $700 million in outstanding bonds against liquor profits floated by the state, it will likely cost far more than $700 million to pay them off and float new bonds. And they clearly intend to float new bonds, as the liquor-backed economic development programs funded by the bonds — including the facilities establishment fund at ODOD — are fully funded for both years in the Governor’s budget.
* JobsOhio is an unproven entity, the legality of whose business model is questionable according to the Ohio constitution. How attractive, in these credit markets, will its bonds be to investors? At best, we’re probably talking junk bond ratings, perhaps explaining why the State is paying such an insane premium to get anyone to invest.
http://ohiobudgetwatch.com/2011/03/wall-street-math-jobs-ohio-funding-resolved/
Plus no money is designated for alcohol abuse as was previously. Kasich will do for Ohio would he did for his last job at Lehman Brothers. Keep defending this moron.