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No, We Can't Afford This

By Marc Kilmer

Trying to drum up support for the massive spending package being labeled a "stimulus" bill, a liberal advocacy group is urging a break with the "failed policies of the past." Presumably this is a reference to the policies under George W. Bush. It is strange to describe this bill as a break with his failed policies, though, as it embraces the irresponsible federal spending that was the hallmark of his presidency. In fact, you couldn't ask for a more perfect example of the failed policies of the past than this bill.

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New at the Buckeye Institute

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Ed Reform Should Include Merit Pay

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, "Gov. Ted Strickland offered a slate of fresh ideas Wednesday to revolutionize education in Ohio, calling for a longer school year, innovative teaching, full-day kindergarten for all kids and a plan for getting rid of bad teachers."

In Governor Should Consider Teacher Merit Pay, Buckeye Institute Education Policy Director Matt Carr writes, "Research on policies and programs for reforming K-12 education rarely achieves a consensus. An exception to this rule is the significant impact of teachers on student learning. It is now widely agreed that the difference between a high and low quality teacher can determine whether a student succeeds of fails. The contribution of a teacher can impact whether students move up multiple grade levels in a single year or fall behind irrevocably. Because the research so clearly shows that having good teachers is one of the most important factors for student achievement, Ohio should focus reform efforts on ways to improve teacher quality."

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A Faulty Tax Scheme 

According to the the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation Thursday to provide health insurance to 11 million low-income children, a bill that would for the first time open the [State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)] to legal immigrant children and pregnant women.... Lawmakers voted 63-32, largely along party lines, to renew the joint state-federal program and spend an additional $32 billion to expand coverage to 4 million more children. The expansion would be paid for by raising the cigarette tax by 61 cents a pack, to $1."

In Should the Poor Pay for Health Insurance for the Middle Class?, Buckeye Institute analyst Marc Kilmer writes, "One thing that is often overlooked in this debate is that raising taxes on smokers will not pay the full cost of SCHIP's proposed expansion. Health care costs generally rise year after year; tobacco tax revenues generally decline as fewer people smoke. It is highly unlikely that smokers will pay the full cost of this program. In fact, the Heritage Foundation estimates that the country will need 22 million new smokers over the next ten years to make the math work. Since the number of smokers has been declining, it is clear that this means money for the program will have to come from elsewhere."

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Missing the Benefits of Charter Schools

"[Governor Strickland] repeated his opposition to having charter schools run by private for-profit corporations, a statement that drew applauses from fellow Democrats but left Republicans sitting on their hands," according to the Toledo Blade.

In Charter Schools: Helping Students and Saving Taxpayers, Matt Carr and Beth Lear write, "As the debate over charter schools continues, it is important for citizens and policymakers to keep in mind the following three facts about Ohio's public charter schools: 1) they have not and do not receive any revenues raised by local property taxes; 2) they are creating a net funding gain per student for traditional public schools despite their disproportionate share of state revenues; and 3) district schools would face a significant decline in their per pupil spending levels should the state's public charter school program end."

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Buckeye Institute in the News

An Associated Press story on Ohio's tax system mentions the Buckeye Institute.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer quoted Buckeye Institute President David Hansen on Governor Strickland's school funding plan. The Plain Dealer also discussed proposals put forth by the Buckeye Institute in a story on school reform options.

Gongwer News Service quoted David Hansen on the education proposals made by Governor Strickland.

The Hillsboro Times Gazette published David Kirkpatrick's op-ed on school choice success stories.