Mark Dansack and Mark Wagoner face off on Conklin and Company...

I think we all know I am a political junkie, that said, it would have been nice to have had the segment of Mark Dansack and Mark Wagoner be longer. I would have preferred to not have to sit thru Yonke's promotion of his book, I can't help believing who represents voters in the 46th District of the House is a bit more important than someone trying to profit from a murder. That written, on to my notes:

Wagoner stated that economic development, education and utility costs are the "big three" issues

Dansack stated jobs, education, education, higher education funding, that because of the corrupt activity people want confidence that government and elected officials are spending their money wisely.


Wagoner - on Economic Development, we have to innovate our economy giving the example of the third frontier, mentioning one product as ethanol. Reported there is 8 million dollars in a private capital fund - we need to be outfront in developing new ideas.

Dansack on Education, public funding of schools is still unconstitutional and after years of Republican control of government we still have the education funding problem. He suggests reducing the property tax burden on seniors, replacing this with other forms of taxes. Possibilities of sales tax or income tax. He then brought up what he referred to as "Sleezy flyers" from the Ohio Republican party that claim that Dansack is going to raise your taxes. He stated to reduce property taxes going to have to make up funding some place else. That is not increased taxation.

When asked by Conklin on the topic of Education and the statement that funding for public education was still unconstitutional, Wagoner stated they have made progress. He stated that they have doubled the money we spend on public education - seeing test scores improving. Wagoner stated we need to continue focusing our resources - medicaid is 38% of our state budget - restrain spending in those areas so it can be spent on funding. He stated Ohio needed to be disciplined and make hard decisions that he would not increase taxes.

Dansack reponded that of the three sitting there that Wagoner is the only one who voted to increase taxes, he pointed out the commerical activities tax on small business permanently and voted to increase the state sales tax. Dansack continued that Wagoner should publicly "repudiate this garbage coming out saying that I'm going to raise their taxes." Dansack stressed his proposals would replace not increase tax dollars.

On the Issues:

Minimum wage - Dansack - Yes. Wagoner - No, he felt minimum wage should be addressed thru the legislature.

Smoking bans - Wagoner supports Smoke Free Ohio (4). Dansack supports Smoke Less Ohio (5).

Slot Gambling, Issue three - Both are against. Dansack stated we're not prioritizing our budget in Ohio for education.

Then on to Bill Hormann and Jim Tankersley for the political expert portion of Conklin and Company.

Lee just said 502 respondents to the Zogby poll, which Tankersley confirmed so it could be WTVG reported the information incorrectly in the video news story.

On the LCC race, Tankersley said that Konop started as the underdog in the primary - Ben has worked very hard and has targeted his message to those who vote. It's a really bad year to be a republican in Lucas County.

Hormann - Ben is an agressive candidate and Strickland - Sarantou is banking on independents but not in the numbers that he needs. George really believes come election day his community support will help him get votes that republicans don't normally get. He wants experience to be the issue.

On the Auditor race Tankersley stated it's a bad year to be a republican bad year to be an incumbant that Kazcala was the best liked, best known candidate in the poll but you need to be over 50 if you need to win. Anita Lopez is encouraged by the poll results and we have a dog fight on our hands.

Hormann stated on the topic of Noe that Republican candidates are hoping people separate Tom Noe from them.

Tankersley added that Ben Konop had clubbed George Sarantou with Tom Noe, will voters make that separation.

Those are my notes written while the show was on - yes I should probably get a VCR.

:-)

On a personal note, whenever I hear a candidate state that we need to make disciplined, hard decisions it usually means those who can least afford it take the hit. While I am sure there are costs related to Medicaid that can be cut that one comment was of particular concern.