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State Representative Jim Buchy
Mid-Biennium Budget Review...
Promising More
Government Accountability and Efficiency
The Mid-Biennium Budget Review is a current topic of discussion in the
Ohio General Assembly. Last year we passed Governor Kasich’s jobs
budget, which provided a road map for state spending in 2011 and
2012. In an unprecedented move, Governor Kasich directed the
state agencies to assess their spending and adjust their budgets
accordingly.
This process is certainly a unique practice in the affairs of state
government. This additional step of fiscal conservatism allowed our
state government to identify ways to cut more than $91 million from the
various budgets for the second year of the biennium. More importantly,
the Mid-Biennium Budget Review provides methods to make a number of
significant changes regarding outdated policies, ending duplicative or
inefficient programs, close tax loopholes, cut bureaucracy, and make
the best use of technologies.
This is part of what Governor Kasich calls his Management Efficiency
Plan, which he recently proposed. The plan is designed to reduce costs
and improve delivery of services for Ohio taxpayers. In testimony
before the Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee, the
Director of the office of Budget and Management, Timothy Keen, said,
“It has been the most thorough budget and policy review outside of the
preparation of the biennial budget process that I have experienced in
my more than 25 years of involvement in state budgeting.” My experience
in government tells me this will make a difference and is the type of
medicine we need to stop wasteful bureaucratic spending. In our
homes we review our budget monthly, it is time government use this type
of common sense and responsibility.
Governor Kasich and officials in his cabinet are stressing the
importance of developing new strategies to improve the management of
Ohio’s government agencies and health systems, focus on Ohio’s
education and workforce development efforts, and provide Ohioans access
to low-cost, reliable sources of energy and fuel. The main highlights
of the Mid-Biennium Review call for an education and workforce
development, management efficiency, and more control and savings for
local governments.
In our region, strong families have served as an example to generations
for hard work and good money management. The least we can do is expect
the same from our government. Together our government will work to cut
red tape, reduce government cost, and ensure funding is being allocated
appropriately. Over the past year and a half, many constituents
have pointed out government inefficiencies that have directly led to
the savings of Ohio tax dollars. This continued discussion will
benefit all Ohioans.
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