For Immediate Release Contact: Andrea Fejes

April 26, 2011 614-221-4570, andrea@oneohionow.org

One Ohio Now Responds to House Republican Press Conference

Comments Further Misconceptions and Ignore Impacts of Drastic Cuts

COLUMBUS, OH – It is disappointing that the House Republicans are setting up a false choice
between the draconian cuts proposed in the Governor’s budget and what they allege it will take
to fill the hole if these cuts are not made – at least a 23% increase in income taxes.

This is simply not the case and it does not have to be an either/or choice.

First, yesterday’s comments furthered the misconception that Ohio is a high tax state.

According to data posted on the Ohio Department of Taxation’s website, in FY 2008, the most
recent year for which data is available, Ohio’s state and local taxes per person ranked 25th in
the country at $4,048, compared to the national average of $4,371.

Moreover, to talk only of the negative impact of raising taxes without also citing the economic
impact of cutting state spending and jobs is disingenuous. Thousands of Ohio Jobs are at risk if
the proposed cuts are implemented. Teachers, school bus drivers and support staff all pay
taxes and contribute to the economy.

Yesterday’s comments also reflect that the House Republican leadership fails to recognize the
negative impacts these cuts will have on local governments and school districts which will
inevitably lead to the need for tax increases at the local level to maintain service levels and help
stave off massive layoffs. If Ohio is high in tax rankings among states, it is the level of local
taxes levied. The proposed cuts exacerbate the problem – not help.

One Ohio Now is advocating for an approach to our state’s budget crisis that balances spending
cuts with reasonable, wise revenue investments. There are revenue options that ensure
accountability, equity and balance, such as reducing unneeded tax exemptions and credits,
strengthening major corporate taxes and freezing the last and final year income tax cut.

The solutions laid out by the Republican leadership do not represent the balanced approach
that many Ohioans support as we deal with this budget crisis.

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One Ohio Now is a coalition of over 40 member organizations ranging from those involved in health and
human services and transportation to education and labor who are advocating for a balanced approach
to addressing the state’s budget.

Advocates for Budget Legislation Equality•AFSCME Council 8•America Votes – Ohio•Center for Working Class Studies –
Youngstown State University•Children’s Defense Fund – Ohio•Cleveland Jobs with Justice•Cleveland Tenants
Organization•Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO)•Columbus Jobs with Justice•Communications Workers
of America •Community Partners for Affordable Accessible Health Care•Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People •The
Empowerment Center of Greater Cleveland•Environmental Health Watch•Georgetown Federation of Teachers •The Hunger
Network in Ohio •Legal Aid of Southwest Ohio•LiveCLEVELAND!•Lutheran Metro Ministries•Mahoning Valley Organizing
Collaborative (MVOC)•Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless •Ohio AFL-CIO• Ohio Association of School Business Officials
(OASBO) •Ohio CDC Association•Ohio Center for Progressive Leadership•Ohio Civil Service Employees Association
(OCSEA)•Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding •Ohio Conference on Fair Trade•Ohio Education
Association (OEA)•Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT)•Ohio Poverty Law Center• Ohio PTA•Ohio Public Transit Association
(OPTA)•Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA)•Ohio Voice•Ohio Youth Voices•Planned Parenthood Affiliates of
Ohio•PolicyBridge•Policy Matters Ohio•ProgressOhio•SEIU 1199•Toledo Jobs with Justice•UFCW Local 1059•UHCAN