FACT CHECK: Kasich's Record is the Opposite of Compassionate

At the RGA conference in Scottsdale, John Kasich said that the keys for Republicans moving forward are “create jobs, compassion, and care.” Given his record, Kasich couldn’t be a more absurd messenger for those ideas. On Kasich’s watch, Ohio remains 44th in the nation in job creation while he’s cut taxes for the ultra-rich, raised middle class taxes, gutted education, health care, and public safety.
 
No matter their rhetoric, Republican governors like Kasich continue to reward the wealthiest and well-connected at the expense of the middle class and working poor – a failed economic philosophy that was resoundingly rejected in their states in the 2012 presidential election.
 
Here are the facts:
 
Kasich Signed Budget That Included Income Tax Cut While Increasing State Sales Tax. “Ohioans will receive a 10-percent income tax cut [Kasich wanted 20%] phased in over three years but will see the sales tax rate rise from 5.5 to 5.75 percent. The budget includes a 50-percent tax break for small-business owners with up to $250,000 of yearly net income claimed on personal tax filings…Political volatile parts of the budget, like starving Planned Parenthood of funding, barring abortion providers from entering into emergency transfer agreements with public hospitals and forcing women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound, were untouched by Kasich’s veto pen.” [Examiner, 7/1/13]
 
“Ohio to Limit Food Stamps for Some Adults.” The administration of Ohio Gov. John Kasich plans to limit food stamps for more than 130,000 adults in all but a few economically depressed areas starting next year. According to The (Columbus) Dispatch, the requirement will cover able-bodied adults without children. They will be required to spend at least 20 hours a week working, training for a job, volunteering or performing a similar type of activity unless they live in one of 16 high-unemployment counties. [FOX News,  9/7/13]
 
Medicaid Payments to Nursing Homes Cut by 6 Percent. “If you have a loved one in a nursing home, Medicaid payments to nursing homes are cut by 6 percent, which the industry says will reduce staffing levels. Rates could bump up next year for homes that meet certain goals.” [Columbus Dispatch, 7/3/11]
 
Kasich Cut School Funding By $700 Million. “If you pay local taxes, local officials could be asking you for an increase as they deal with significant state budget cuts that total about $640 million for local governments and $700 million for schools. Totals include cuts from accelerated phase-outs of payments that covered the loss of tangible personal property taxes and utility property taxes.” [Columbus Dispatch, 7/3/11]
 
College and University Funding Cut by $250 Million. School districts will see $700 million cut from the funding of kindergarten-through-12th-grade education, and colleges and universities will receive $250 million less over two years. [Columbus Dispatch, Editorial, 6/30/11]
 
Kasich’s 2012-2013 Budget Cut Local Government Aid By $1 Billion. “The current state budget for 2012 and 2013 cut local government aid by a billion dollars. This is a big number, but what does it mean? It means cuts in services we depend on, from road repair and emergency services to crossing guards, senior transportation and child protective services. No community or special district escaped the ax: most were hit from many different directions.” [Policy Matters Ohio, 11/13/12]
 
 
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