Issue 1 Debated At Forum

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In less than three weeks, Columbus voters go to the polls to decide whether there should be an income tax increase in the city, the first in nearly three decades.

At the Columbus Metropolitan Club people backing the hike and those against it squared off Wednesday, and NBC 4’s Mike Bowersock was there.

Residents have heard so many reasons why the city says it needs a tax increase, but not everyone is buying.

Some say the city has plenty of money and needs to manage it better.

The club hosted a forum with City Councilman Andrew J. Ginther and Republican political strategist Terry Casey. Ginther supports the tax increase, and Casey opposes it.

“We have the opportunity to move this city forward by investing in what matters most,” Ginther said. “We can stand by and let it slip away.”

One of the biggest myths in this campaign is that Columbus hasn’t had a tax increase since 1982, Casey said.

As debates go, it was calm, with only the minimum fireworks.

At issue, of course, was whether voters should approve a .5 percent income-tax increase Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Without the increase, police officers and firefighters could lose their jobs.

The money would help offset a $115 million budget deficit, but opponents say there is wasteful spending in City Hall now and that too much money is being spent on Downtown beautification projects.

The city defends its projects, claiming only a small percentage comes from city taxpayers; more is spread out through state and federal funds, the taxpayers who don't live in Columbus and also private funds.

“I think both individuals are raising points that have some validity, but I think we need some perspective,” analyst and fact checker Allen Proctor said.

FACT CHECK

Ginther talked about why the proposed increase should be approved. Casey told the group why the city doesn’t need it.

Casey: “Just because we've only had the same 2 percent income-tax rate doesn't mean revenue has not grown and grown significantly.”

It has -- approximately fourfold since 1982.

It also has slowed significantly in more recent years. The resources for that growth may be tapped out.

Proctor: “The one thing that really hasn't been talked about is why do we have this problem now? For 50 years, we funded our budget by annexing more territory by bringing more businesses into the city.”

Because of that, the city didn't need more money, it was getting it through more people.

Casey: “It’s nice to do certain of these do-good feel projects, like some of the Downtown bridges some of the Downtown parks, some of the other street-scaping, granite pavers, but we gotta look at the basics in the neighborhood.”

Ginther: “On all the major Downtown infrastructure projects, Columbus is spending about 15 cents for every dollar it's spending on Downtown infrastructure and projects. The other 85 cents are coming from the private sector or federal and state government.”

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