What a primary election day!

The meaning of the May 4 primary election will not be known for years to come, but it appears from COAST’s perspective to be momentus.  COAST-endorsed candidates Chris Monzel (County Commission) and Shannon Jones (Ohio Senate) won in hard-fought primary fights.  Tea Party founder Mike Wilson won a tough three-way primary for the right to oppose liberal democrat Connie Pillich in the 28^th Ohio House District, and two new COAST-endorsed State Central Committeemen won from this area – Bob McEwen and Joann Kemmerer. 

COAST would like first to thank the opposition in these races – Leslie Ghiz, Michelle Schneider, Tom Weidman and Vicki Zwissler as they advanced important messages of limited government and lower taxes in their races, despite their losses.

These local victories combine with important national events to give COAST real hope that 2010 will be fundamentally different – we might actually roll back the size and scope of government when it is all over.  In Utah, conservatives have already unseated hopeless moderate Bob Bennett.  In Pennsylvania,  Arlen Specter – already run out of the Republican Party – is behind for next Tuesday’s democrat primary election.  In Florida, Charlie Crist turned tail and ran from the Republican primary election against new-comer Mario Rubio.  And in New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie has unveiled dramatic and needed proposals to finally rein in state spending.

Now COASTers turn their eyes to the fall election when these important wins can be finalized and legislative solutions begun.

Monzel v. Ghiz for Republican nomination to County Commission

It’s shaping up to be two Cincinnati Council members against each other vying for the Hamilton County Commission seat being vacated (thankfully) by David Pepper, who is running for State Treasurer. Both Chris Monzel and Leslie Ghiz have indicated to COASTers that they will be seeking the Republican nomination for the open Commission seat. Both have a long history as politicians and significant voting records on Cincinnati City Council on which to judge their candidacies. COAST looks forward to being part of a vibrant debate between these two seasoned politicians this spring.

Winburn, Ghiz, Zamary sign pledge

COASTers: Call others to demand they sign
Cincinnati City Council Candidate George Zamary
signs COAST's no-tax pledge

Three more Council candidates have signed the COAST pledge against raising taxes to solve Cincinnati's budget problems in the coming Council term -- incumbent Leslie Ghiz, and challengers Charlie Winburn and George Zamary.

Council's seemingly incurable addiction to spending has created a $20 million deficit for the second half of 2009 and a huge $40 million deficit in 2010. In addition, years of stealing from the City's pension fund to pay for out-of-control general fund expenses has left an enormous hole in the City's pension system.

To make matters worse, bungling City bureaucrats projected a revenue increase in a year of recession and hardship for the nation. As a result, City revenue projections this year were nearly 12% off actual receipts.

COAST thanks Winburn, Ghiz and Zamary for their commitment against higher taxes and spending.

Currently, two Council incumbents have signed the Pledge -- Chris Monzel and Ghiz. COAST asks its members to call or write the other seven Council members and the Mayor asking that they sign as well (click name to send email):

Name/email	Title	Telephone
Mark Mallory	Mayor	(513) 352-3250
David Crowley	Vice Mayor	(513) 352-2453
Jeff Berding	Council Member	(513) 352-3283
Chris Bortz	Council Member	(513) 352-3255
Y. Laketa Cole	Council Member	(513) 352-3466
Greg Harris	Council Member	(513) 352-5303
Roxanne Qualls	Council Member	(513) 352-3604
Cecil Thomas	Council Member	(513) 352-3499

The text of the pledge is:

2009 Cincinnati Mayoral and Council Candidate
Taxpayer Protection Pledge

I, __________________________________, pledge to the taxpayers of the City of Cincinnati and all of the people of this City that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes and create new fees during the 2010-2011 term of Cincinnati City Council. This includes without limitation, any increase in the City earnings tax or property tax, and the imposition of new fees such as a garbage collection fee.

_________________________	_________________________
Signature	Date
_________________________	_________________________
Witness	Witness

Ghiz Sees the Light of Oncoming Train Wreck

Today Councilmember Leslie Ghiz renounced her prior support of Cincinnati's streetcar proposal. City Council got the news yesterday of an $11 million tax shortfall this year and a deficit of up to $40 million next year. "My support for this project came at a much different economic time," Ghiz said, "I'd love to continue this support but in good conscience cannot considering our financial predicament."

Keep in mind we're also $1.2 billion behind in our pension fund, we're facing $2-3 billion in sewer projects to comply with a federal court order, revenues are down, and Mayor Mallory raided the emergency fund in the last budget cycle to cover basic operating expenses.

Council's authorization was contingent on private donations of $32 million. So far less than $3,000 has been raised. To close the gap, the Mayor has proposed selling our street lights, airport, and water works (i.e. essential city assets). Last year he proposed to sell the traffic lights and tax trash collection for the 1st time ever, but citizen outrage shut him down.

There's no point spending $185 million on a luxury when we can't meet our obligations for necessities.