Hamilton County scores A+ Bond rating

Republican commissioners stabilize fiscal situation

Under the leadership of Republicans Chris Monzel and Greg Hartmann, Hamilton County has managed to score a A+ rating from Fitch. Congratulations to this team!

Commissioner Monzel moves to stop MSD funds from going to support the Streetcar

COAST allies in streetcar fight abound

In August, COAST asked the City for records showing the costs associated witht he streetcar for relocation of facilities of Cincinnati Water Works, Metropolitan Sewer District and Duke Energy. As a result, the Cincinnati Business Courier ran this story.

 

What the story revealed was that the City was pushing for MSD to shoulder a share of the costs associated with the Streetcar construction between $2 million and $3 million.

In response, Commissioner Chris Monzel proposed a motion to prevent MSD from spending any monies to support the Streetcar project.

 

Please call Chris Monzel's office at 946-4410 to thank him for this important initiative and call Commissioners Hartmann (946-4405) and Portune (946-4401) asking that they support the Monzel resolution.

A vote on September 26th is expected.

Congratulations on inauguration

This week, COAST welcomes to public office, the following COAST-endorsed candidates:

In Columbus:  Governor Kasich and Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, Auditor David Yost, Attorney General Mike DeWine, Treasurer Josh Mandel, State Senator Shannon Jones, State Representatives Ronald Maag and Bob Mecklenborg and Ohio Board of Education member Debe Terhar. 

In Washington: our newest Senator Rob Portman and  returning Congressman Steve Chabot, who defeated COAST’s declared Public Enemy #1, Steve Driehaus (may he be retired from public office forever!).

In Hamilton County: Consistent conservative Chris Monzel replaces liberal spender David Pepper (may he also be retired from public office forever!)

COAST takes particular note of the fact that its 2009 Fundraiser headliner (John Kasich) and its 2010 Fundraiser speaker (Rob Portman) this week took the oath of office for the two top elected positions in/from Ohio.

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.

Council Can't Cut Costs, Continues Kicking Can

Guest editorial by Councilmember Chris Monzel

"Facing a $51 million deficit this past December, Cincinnati City Council decided continue to "kick the can" down the road instead of doing the tough cuts necessary to have a structurally balanced budget.

The budget, which was approved by a 5-4 vote, had more than $23 million in one-time cuts that will not provide longer-term savings. The budget also included closing 10 city swimming pools; charging $1.06 a month for yard waste and junk appliance collection; canceling police and fire recruit classes to save $4.1 million; and borrowing $4 million from the working capital reserve account, which is reviewed by bond rating agencies to determine the city's financial well-being.

But incredibly enough, besides not making the necessary budget cuts for a structurally balanced budget, Council also added money in the budget for the local film commission, nature education programs, human services agencies and $400,000 for enhanced recycling. Continuing pet projects and expanding programs that we will not be able to continue to afford is not the right way to balance our city budget. Especially, when we still have a $23 million hole that we will have to fill in 2011. Stay tuned to see how Council decides to keep kicking the can down the road.

I was proud to oppose this abomination of a budget Ordinance."

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

Monzel Signs Tax Pledge 1st

COASTers urged to thank him
Cincinnati City Council Member Chris Monzel becomes first candidate to sign COAST's no-tax pledge.

Within hours of COAST issuing its demand for a pledge against raising taxes to solve Cincinnati's budget problems in the coming Council term, Cincinnati City Council Member Chris Monzel became the first to sign the pledge.

Council Member Chris Monzel consistently has been a voice and vote against higher taxes and wasteful spending while on Council. For the past five, years Monzel has sponsored the resolution to roll back property tax rates to assure that increasing valuations did not result in a windfall tax increase for the City.

With the City of Cincinnati facing a $40 million deficit in 2010, and an enormous hole in its pension system on top of that, and with City bureaucrats exacerbating the financial crisis by badly bungling tax income projections, COAST has predicted a 2010 push for higher earnings and property taxes. It has issued the Pledge to stop the drive for higher taxes.

Monzel previosuly endorsed COAST's opposition to the Pepper-Portune Super-Sized Jail tax and the campaign against Red Light Cameras. This year, Monzel is Honorary Vice Chairman of the campaign against the wasteful Trolley and has announced his opposition to the sale of the Cincinnati Water Works.

"I am honored to sign this pledge today reaffirming my belief that the very last thing we should be doing during tough economic times is raise taxes," said Monzel. "Americans across the board are overtaxed. It's time government reforms itself and stops spending money on pet projects and starts focusing on providing core services in the most efficient manner."

COAST thanks Chris Monzel for his consistent leadership against higher taxes and spending, and for taking the Pledge this campaign season.

Please call Council Member Monzel's office at 513-352-3640 or e-mail him and thank him for his leadership.

The text of the pledge follows:

2009 Cincinnati Mayoral and Council Candidate
Taxpayer Protection Pledge

I, Chris Monzel, 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.

/s/ Chris Monzel__________	6/18/09__________________
Signature	Date