Statehouse lawmakers shouldn't need an impending election to take action on Ohio's affordability crisis, but here we are at the beginning of October, and suddenly, it seems the Republicans have noticed that Ohioans are hurting. So earlier this week, Democrats in the Ohio House reached across the aisle to give the votes needed to pass the gas tax holiday that gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton called for, and her opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, quickly echoed.
We will always work with anyone, anytime, to try and make a positive impact in the lives of the people we represent. But make no mistake: This was nowhere near enough relief for the emergency we are in, and it should have happened long ago.
could save at the pump
Ohio's affordability crisis didn't start last week
In fact, the lawmakers who introduced this bill should be embarrassed that it took them until now to recognize the cost-of-living emergency that their constituents have been dealing with. Why did it have to take bad political polls five weeks before an election for Republicans to get off the sidelines and take some action on affordability? Where were they five months ago during the summer travel season?
Ohioans have been desperate for support on high prices for years, especially since the Iran war started. Gas prices spiked in April, but the Statehouse supermajority did nothing until Acton called for action last week. Utility costs averaged $800 this summer. Property taxes continue to threaten the ability of homeowners to stay in their homes. All of these elements of the cost-of-living crisis are regulated or legislated by the state legislature, yet every Democratic proposal to address these issues has been shelved or ignored.
Ohio House Democrats have introduced dozens of bills that have been bipartisan and proven to lower costs around the country on health care, utilities, property taxes, childcare and housing. Maybe if we had elections around the corner every couple of months, we could convince the Republican supermajority to pass more bills to actually help people.
Relief can't stop at the gas pump
Here is what real relief should have looked like this week:
- First, fund the gas tax holiday responsibly with the $1 billion Republicans set aside for billionaire sports team owners and use surplus dollars to fund a $150 energy rebate for every residential customer as the heating season starts.
- Second, lower property taxes by increasing the homestead exemption so most seniors can qualify.
- Third, ensure strong enforcement so the money actually reaches Ohio drivers instead of gas companies.
- Fourth, pass a bipartisan resolution urging our congressional delegation to end the war in Iran, the actual reason gasoline and diesel are at record highs. Democrats offered it. Republicans refused to sign on.
Everyday Ohioans know the Republican-controlled legislature should have done something about the price of gas as soon as it became clear how disastrous this failed war in Iran was going to be for Americans. They should have taken the time this summer, instead of campaigning and vacationing, to get it right. And − as I will never get tired of pointing out − the legislature should use the $1 billion Republican-backed slush fund for billionaire sports team owners to cover the cost of the gas tax holiday as well as other cost-relief measures.
We must do everything we can for Ohioans while keeping our budget balanced.
Ohio House Democrats mean it when we say we’ll work with anyone, any time, to have a positive impact on the lives of Ohioans who need it most. We’re ready to work every day to bring down costs, and we have concrete plans to get the job done. That’s why we reached across the aisle to give the Republicans the votes they needed to pass an immediate gas tax holiday this week.
It shouldn’t take a looming election to force bipartisan action. Ohioans deserve so much better than they are getting from the Republican supermajority in Columbus.
But I have one last question: What is it going to take for Republicans to wake up to the cost-of-living emergency Ohioans are living every single day in all of the other aspects of their lives?
State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn, a Democrat, represents Ohio's 24th House District.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio's affordability crisis doesn't stop at the gas pump | Opinion
