TEL opponets on attack

News from the TEL opponents.  Notice in the two articles below that the Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees and the lobbyist for the Mayors group are both Tim Cosgrove....

News Release #13858
March 17, 2006
Contact: Brian Johnston
216.687.2290 | pr@csuohio.edu
Board of Trustees Opposes Proposed Tax Expenditure Limitation (TEL) Amendment to Ohio’s Constitution
The Cleveland State University Board of Trustees today unanimously approved a resolution opposing the proposed Tax Expenditure Limitation (TEL) amendment to Ohio’s Constitution.

Trustee Chairman Timothy Cosgrove said, “As university policy makers, we have at times in the past stood in the background and not exercised a leadership role early-on in matters that involve the serious trust placed in us by our state leadership, our University and – most importantly, the students we serve. We must never lose sight that it is our most serious responsibility to protect them against adverse financial impact in ways over which they have no control. That is the serious charter we accept when we become Trustees.”

In its resolution, the Board affirms its belief that constitutional limits on state expenditures would severely restrict the state’s ability to invest in vital public services, such as higher education, which are critical to the state’s economic growth and well-being; and that access to affordable higher educational opportunities, which would be restricted by constitutional expenditure limitations, is increasingly necessary for Ohioans to succeed in today’s ever changing and competitive global economic environment.

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Cleveland State is a comprehensive metropolitan university committed to providing affordable education of high quality to students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, interests and needs. Located in downtown Cleveland with extended campuses in Westlake and Solon, Cleveland State offers degrees in hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs and law, and professional development programs. Cleveland State reaches out to academically talented and highly motivated students through its Honors Program. And Cleveland State’s faculty is tops, with more than 90 percent holding the highest degree attainable in their field. Approximately 16,000 students attend Cleveland State.

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GOP, Dems agree they disagree, Both sides oppose spending-limit plan
The Plain Dealer
Thursday, March 23, 2006


GOP, Dems agree they disagree
Both sides oppose spending-limit plan

Joseph L. Wagner
Plain Dealer Reporter

Warrensville Heights -- More than 100 local officials -- Democrats and Republicans -- met Wednesday to begin efforts to defeat what they say could be a devastating proposal to limit government spending.

The state constitutional amendment being pushed by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell is a "nexus of evil," said John Mahoney, deputy director of the Ohio Municipal League. The proposal will be on the November ballot.

"The language is broad and fuzzy, it would trump everything else in the Constitution, and would grant everyone the right to sue governments," Mahoney said.

The Tax and Expenditure Limitation amendment, or TEL for short, would limit government spending to either 3.5 percent a year, or the combined rates of inflation and population growth -- whichever is higher. Higher spending would require voter approval.

The meeting of 137 county, city, school, library and other local officials was organized by the Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association. Many officials agreed to return to their local councils and boards to seek resolutions opposing the TEL proposal. When asked, no one showed support for the amendment.

Blackwell's spokesman, Carlo LoParo, said the local opposition does not surprise him.

"These are the individuals that spend the people's money and they always want more to spend," LoParo said.

LoParo said the Republican mayors opposing the issue are more likely expressing loyalties to Blackwell's gubernatorial primary opponent, Attorney General Jim Petro.

Bay Village Mayor Debbie Sutherland, president of the mayors group and a Petro supporter, said the event was not designed to help Petro.

"We are faced with a sloppy, hastily considered constitutional amendment that will turn Ohio into a regressive, backwater state," Sutherland said.

Tim Cosgrove, lobbyist for the mayors group, said there are unresolved and thorny issues.

He asked if sewer districts would need voter approval for rate increases exceeding the threshold or if cities would need a vote of the people each time they want to borrow money for a fire truck, road paving or other capital improvements.

LoParo said the revenue curbs do not apply to utility rates and government securities.

No gubernatorial candidates were invited to the meeting, Sutherland said.

"I think the session would have been more helpful if they had supporters of TEL to present their position," said North Olmsted Mayor Thomas O'Grady.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jwagner@plaind.com, 216-999-4906