Competing for Jobs
The Challenge
Like many states around the country, Ohio faces unprecedented challenges to its fiscal and economic health. But nothing is more important than the need to bring good jobs back to the Buckeye State, and position Ohioans to take on those jobs.
To do so, Ohio and its many communities are going to have to compete for those jobs, better than they have to date. And to do so effectively, this is not a time for tinkering—it’s a time for real transformation.
At the local level, Ohio cannot advance in a 21st century economy with a system of local government rooted in the 19th century. The state has 3,800 local government jurisdictions, 250 cities, 695 villages, 1308 townships and 88 counties. Measured by percentage of per capita income, Ohioans face the 6th highest local tax burden in the United States. This fragmentation keeps the cost of government high, raises Ohio’s taxes unnecessarily high and hurts Ohio’s ability to compete for companies and jobs when we’re up against more unified communities.
The Auditor’s Role
David Pepper has a strong record of promoting the types of reforms and policies that will be critical to helping Ohio compete for jobs in the short- and long-run. As a City Councilmember and Hamilton County Commissioner, he has worked tirelessly to make government efficient, keep costs and taxes down, and prioritize so that there are resources available to invest in long-term growth and job creation.
As Ohio’s Auditor, David Pepper will do the same across Ohio. In many states, from Texas to New Mexico, Auditors and Governors have worked to conduct regular statewide, top-to-bottom performance audits and reviews to find hundreds of millions of dollars in savings. These savings result in lower taxes, more efficient government and more competitive economic environments. David will push for Ohio to conduct a similar statewide performance audits on a regular basis—looking under every stone for savings and better results. And he will focus in particular on those areas that most impact short- and long-term job creation.
At the local level, David Pepper will encourage the types of reforms that will position communities to be more competitive in bringing jobs and businesses into Ohio. Indeed, because it works with all levels of government on a regular basis, David believes the Auditor is the position best suited to quarterback much of the work needed to get the job done—whether that be sharing or consolidating services, improving governments’ energy efficiency or developing best practices. Other Auditors in the country are approaching the position in just this way, and championing the types of reforms that really make a difference to long-term competitiveness and fiscal health.