Why Not Ohio? Feed-In Tariffs Can Spur Green Energy Growth

The feed-in tariff (FIT) has exploded renewable growth every place it has been implemented and a new study from UC Berkeley says it will do the same in California.

A FIT is an above-retail rate ("tariff") paid for renewable energy-generated electricity that producers "feed" into the grid. It was first used in California in the late 1970s and early 1980s but failed at that time due to design flaws and lack of support. Revived in Germany with stunning success in the early 2000s, the FIT concept has subsequently been used successfully, according to Professor Dan Kammen, the lead author of the UC Berkeley study and one of the foremost U.S. renewable energy authorities, in at least fifteen countries. Dozens more are considering implementation.

The proposed California FIT has been carefully designed to drive the growth of projects in the one-to-twenty-megawatt range. This spectrum encompasses both small solar systems driven by the state's "million solar roofs" initiative and utility-scale projects driven by its Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) that requires regulated utilities to obtain twenty percent of their power from renewable sources by the end of this year and 33 percent from renewable sources by 2020.

According to the study Economic Benefits of a Comprehensive Feed-In Tariff: An Analysis of the REESA in California, from Kammen and Max Wei of the University of California, Berkeley's Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory Energy and Resources Group, a well-designed feed-in tariff like the one used by the newest version of REESA, will bring California $2 billion in additional tax revenues and $50 billion in new investment, add an average of 50,000 new jobs each year for a decade and provide the mega-growth in renewables that California will need to meet its newly mandated standard of 33% renewable electricity by 2020.

Why Not Ohio? Why isn't Ted STrickland pushing for feed-in tariffs? Is it because once again we see that Ted Strickland can not think outside the box when it comes to promoting Green Energy in Ohio? Is it because TEd STrickland is so committed to dirty coal and nuke energy he lacks the drive and passon for feed-in tariffs? I believe so.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Ohio Governor

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

for more info, contact 330-503-1407

The Straight Scoop Strickland And Kasich Won't Tell You
 It shows that Ohio’s tax system at present is regressive — those with lower incomes pay a higher percentage of their incomes in state and local taxes.

The Center for Community Solutions suggests a three part strategy to solving Ohio’s budget crisis

• tax increases,
• reductions in tax expenditures, and
• reductions in programmatic expenditures.

Excerpts For the Report:

• While the term ‘tax expenditures’ may be unfamiliar, their existence and significance are quite familiar indeed. More generally, and pejoratively, described as ‘loopholes’ or ‘tax breaks,’ they may be defined as a loss of tax revenue attributable to an exemption, deduction, preference, or other exclusion from tax law.
• In Ohio, the relative burden of state and local taxes paid by businesses has steadily declined since 1975, from 40 percent to 26 percent in 2010. This trend was reinforced by the business, personal income, and sales tax changes adopted five years ago in H.B. 66, and subsequent modifications enacted during 2009 in H.B. 318. (It is worth noting, too, that these tax changes also shifted a significant portion of taxes paid by individuals and families from the progres- sive income tax to the regressive sales tax.)
• While incomes for most Americans have stagnated for three decades, those of Ohioans have generally stagnated at lower levels, reducing the capacity of the middle class in particular to bear additional tax burdens.
• The wealthiest fifth of taxpayers have enjoyed soaring incomes for over 20 years. While progressive federal taxes have also made them by far the largest contributors to the overall costs of government, the regressive effects of combined state and local taxes in Ohio take a larger share of middle class incomes than the wealthy.
• Business taxes, as a proportion of state tax revenue, have been in steady decline for several decades; the long-range implications in this regard of the 2005 tax overhaul are as yet unclear.
• State personal income and business tax changes during the middle of the last decade (The 2005 Tax Reduction Act) have contributed significantly to the structural deficit.  (About $2 per year or $4 per per biannual budget).
• Returning to the former upper bracket rate of 7.5 percent for those whose incomes have outpaced the vast majority of Ohioans, would affect just over 2 percent of taxpayers, while raising $448 million annually. (This top rate, and all rates, were reduced 17% by the 2005 Tax Reduction Act, and are still scheduled to be reduced 4.1% more.)
• The imbalance between business and individual taxes also might be addressed in a revenue package. Currently, the rate on the CAT is set too low to reimburse schools and local governments for the full amount of lost tangible property tax revenue. The resulting drain on the General Revenue Fund during the next biennium is estimated to be $322 to $438 million, far short of even beginning to replace lost revenue from the former corpo- rate franchise tax. Each 1/100 of 1 percent increase in the CAT would annually raise approximately $50 million. An increase of 0.08 percent would yield about $400 million annually, enough to cover the estimated cost of GRF subsidies to schools and local governments for loss of tangible personal property tax revenue, and return ap- proximately $200 million per year to the GRF. Table 5 outlines some options for increasing tax revenue.

Why Not Ohio? Oregon and Others Fill Budget Holes With Tax Increases

Ohio must develop a balanced approach for raising revenues, one that least burdens low-income families and the unemployed.

Government spending-on payroll, contracts, and subsidies-can also be a form of economic stimulus that can ease the impact of the recession. John Kasich is wrong when it comes to budget cuts-deep cuts not only hurt people who need assistance-they can make the recession worse.

Ohio must look to raising revenues, even if it involves tax increases to help fill holes in the budget. 11 states raised income taxes in Fiscal Year 2010, including Oregon, which also raised it's corporate income tax. The nonpartisian Oregon Legistlative Reference Office compared the economic impact of the tax increases with the impact of the expenditure reductions that would have been needed to fill the budget gap. The report concluded in the short run, the state would be better off with a tax increase instead of budget cuts. In the long term, the economic effects of a tax increase depended on how increased revenue was spent. Spending on educationa nd infrastructure were likely to raise productivity and have a positive economic impact.

Why Not Ohio? Why must Ohio continue down the same old re-hashed ideas when it comes to economic stability? Ohio needs to follow the leads of other states and create truely new ways of doing business and raising revenues to rebuild our economy.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

For mroe info, contact 330-503-1407

Ohio Has A Revenue Problem, Not Spending Problem

Why is Ohio in an 8 billion dollar budget shortfall? Well, Ohio government doesn't have a spending problem, it has a revenue problem. The deep recession and structural problems in the economy have compounded the effect of tax policy decisions.

Receipts to the General Revenue Fund did not grow at all between fiscal year 2006 and 2008. Between fiscal year 2008 and 2009, revenues fell by 12 percent, and are expected to fall another 7 percent in fiscal year 2010.

It's time Ohio begins to look at reversing the tax changes of 2005 that reduced state revenues by 2.4 billion dollars.

It's time Ohio begins to look at increasing taxes which historically have not hindered a strong economic recovery. During the recession of 1983-1989 Ohio's economy gained an average of 118,00 jobs a year. During the recession of 1993 to 1999, Ohio's economy created an average of 108,000 jobs a year. In contrast, the economy has not seen a boost from the tax cuts that have taken place since 2005.

It's time Ohio has a Green Party Governor who will truely work to get Ohio out of a recession.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspissak.com

 

for more info, contact 330-503-1407

To Fix Ohio's Budget, Tax Loopholes Must Go

Last month, the nonprofit Center for Community Solutions called for a three-pronged approach of cuts, tax increases and eliminating tax breaks to fix the budget.

"Closing any loophole is difficult because each has a particular rationale and specific interest group that will rise to its defense," the Cleveland-based group said. "Often, supporters of these exemptions justify them on the grounds of economic development and job creation. Equally often, the rationales are long on theory and short on measurable evidence."

I am the only candidate for Governor who agrees with the Center and calls for such tax loopholes to be studied and eventually elimintating some tax breaks to fix the budget.

A three-pronged approach is the most logical way to fix Ohio's 8 billion dollar budget shortfall. Ted Strickland and John Kasich will tell you cuts alone can save the budget. Ted Strickland and John Kasich are wrong.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Partry of Ohio Nominee for Ohio Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

for more info, contat 330-503-1407

Let's Use A Green Agenda To Turn Ohio Foward

It's time we use a Green Agenda to fix Ohio after 2010. Ted Strickland's Turn Around Ohio plan has failed. John Kasich's plan to will Turn Ohio Backwards. Let's Turn Ohio Forward using a state-wide Green Agenda.

To Fix Ohio's 8 billion dollar budget shortfall, I call for an income tax increase and business tax increase. I believe we should pairs these tax proposals with plans for an audit of the state budget to identify and cut wasteful programs, practices and positions – and ending pork-barrel spending. We must take these actions first before we commit to cutting another 10% in the state budget that would hurt
Human Services and Public Education.

I believe in raising the minimum wage to a “living wage,” making college free for qualified residents and expanding public sector employment with more, higher-paying social service jobs.

I believe in a state-run bank – similar to one created by North Dakota – which would collect all state revenues to invest both surplus funds and private deposits in projects that would benefit the state.

I also want to promote green energy by implementing a “fee and dividend” system, which would collect fees from greenhouse gas producers and nuclear power companies. Part of the proceeds would be used to pay the state’s bills, while the rest would be redistributed to among Ohio residents, with low-income residents receiving the largest shares.

This Green Agenda will help Turn Ohio forward. Ted Strickland and John Kasich's plans won't.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Governor

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

For more information, contact 330-503-1407

Time For A New Green Deal For Ohio
It's time for a Green New Deal for Ohio.

Here are the eight policies endorsed by the Green New Deal Coalition:

• Create millions of green union jobs through massive public investment in renewable energy, mass transit and conservation;

• Set ambitious, science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, and enact a revenue-neutral carbon tax to meet them;

• Establish single-payer “Medicare for all” health care;

• Provide tuition-free public higher education;

• Change trade agreements to improve labor, environmental, consumer, health and safety standards;

• Enact tough limits on credit interest and lending rates, progressive tax reform and strict financial regulation;

• Amend the U.S. Constitution to abolish corporate personhood; and

• Pass sweeping electoral, campaign finance and anti-corruption reforms.

Let's Turn Ohio Green! Let's remove Red and Blue Politicians from Ohio!

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Governor

 

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

for more info, contact 330-503-1407

Why Not Ohio? Colorado Passes 16 Green Energy Bills

Green Energy:  It was a big year for Gov. Ritter's "New Energy Economy" - in a year when renewable energy legislation was stagnating at the federal level, both houses passed 16 bills to promote clean energy within the state.  Highlights include:

• HB 1001 raises the standard from 20% to 30% for the amount of electricity that large utility companies must derive from renewable sources by 2020.  The new Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) is one of the most aggressive renewable-energy goals in the country.
• HB 1365, The Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act, places new standards on coal-fired power requiring Xcel Energy to cut its nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80% by the end of 2017.  Toward this end, Xcel is converting three of its coal-burning power plants to natural gas, an effort that will involve retiring or retrofitting 900 megawatts of coal-fired capacity.  This is the first legislation of its kind in the country.
• Under SB 100, counties and municipalities can join together to finance renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects.
• The Smart Grid Task Force, created by S 180, will study the state's infrastructure and develop policy recommendations to make the transition to Smart Grid.
• New special districts can borrow money to fund renewable energy or energy efficiency projects for residents under HB 1328.
• HB 1333 creates the Green Jobs Colorado Training Pilot Program, a two-year pilot program that expands job training programs by offering grants to community colleges and other training providers to develop programs for jobs in wind, solar, energy efficiency, and other renewable energy industries.
• HB 1342 allows apartment dwellers and others who can't utilize solar technology on their own roofs to join together to purchase shared panels in community locations.
• Colorado state parks must increase the use of solar and other renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2020 under HB 1349.

Why Not Ohio? Because Ohio is led by Old King Dirty Coal Ted Strickland who would rather fire up new dirty coal and nuke plants in Ohio instead of leading the charge to pass massive Green Energy Bills.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

For more info, contact 330-503-1407

More Ways To Save Human Services From More Strickland Cuts

Ohio needs real ways to help save Human Services from more of Ted Strickland's budget cuts.

Cost pressures from Medicaid, criminal justice, and other programs will continue to squeeze human services unless fundamental reforms take place.

in Medicaid, this means rebalancing long-term care for the elderly to ensure access to less expensive home and community-based care options.

In crimminal justice, the state should redirect nonviolent offenders to more appropriate settings and invest in programs to reduce recidivism.

 

Dennis S. Spisak-Green Party of Ohio Nominee for Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor/

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

for more info, contact 330-503-1407

Let's Redesign Ohio's Tax System To Save Human Services

To save Human Services from more cuts of Ted Strickland's budget-cutting sword, it's time to reverse some negative trends.

First, Ohio's state and local taxes have become more burdensome on low-income people over time and more favorably for the wealthy.

Second, the business share of state and local taxes has declined, leaving individuals to pay a greater share of the table.

As Governor, I would call for tax changes needed to balance the state budget. I would restore 2004 income tax rates on the wealthiest atxpayers, closing tax loopholes, and increasing the rate of the new commercial activity tax so that it returns a sufficient amount of revenue to the state's general fund.

Dennis S. Spisak-Green PArty of Ohio Nominee for Governor

Http://www.votespisak.org/governor

Http://www.dennisspisak.com

for more info, contact 330-503-1407