Strickland to outline tax relief proposal

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The governor will make two stops here to promote the centerpiece of his budget plan.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — More than three months into his gubernatorial term, Ted Strickland will make his first trip to the Mahoning Valley with Tuesday stops in Youngstown and East Liverpool.

Strickland, a Democrat formerly of Lisbon, will tout his plan to expand the homestead property tax exemption. This is a key component of his proposed two-year state budget.

The exemption is currently available to those 65 years of age or older, and those who are permanently and totally disabled with annual incomes under $27,000.

Strickland's plan eliminates the income limit. The number of Ohioans receiving the benefit would increase from 220,000 to 775,000 with the average property tax cut being 25 percent, said Keith Dailey, Strickland's spokesman.

"It's the largest targeted property tax in the state's history," he said. "One out of every four homeowners in the state will get the tax break."

Strickland's plan calls for state money to replace the lost local property tax dollars. Strickland says by securing future tobacco settlement funds, the money for this property tax cut will be available for the next 20 years.

Strickland has traveled the state in the past few weeks touting his budget's key proposals, primarily the homestead tax exemption, increased funding for primary and secondary education, providing health care for children and a zero percent increase in tuition next year at state colleges and universities, Dailey said.

First visit

These will be Strickland's first public appearances in the Mahoning Valley since he beat Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell in the November 2006 gubernatorial election. Strickland received some of his strongest support in that election from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Also, Strickland represented all of Columbiana and a portion of Mahoning in Congress between 2003 and 2006.

In the past week, Strickland has traveled to communities such as Wilmington, Mansfield, Delaware and Athens to discuss his budget proposals — but hasn't been to the Valley since he was sworn-in as governor Jan. 8.

"It's a big state, and he wants to get around to all of it," Dailey said. "Since the budget process, he's been all over the state."

The Ohio House may vote on Strickland's two-year budget proposal as early as this month. It then moves to the state Senate. The budget must be adopted no later than June 30, the day before the state's fiscal year starts.

skolnick@vindy.com

Saturday, April 14, 2007