Letter to Governor Kasich - The Sequester

Letter

Rep. Ryan, Rep. Fudge and Rep. Beatty Send Joint Letter to Gov. Kasich on Sequester

Today, Rep. Tim Ryan, Rep. Marcia Fudge, and Rep. Joyce Beatty sent the following letter to Governor John Kasich seeking his help to encourage Ohio's Congressional Republican Delegation to come back to the Sequester negotiating table to support a common sense, bipartisan solution to avoid the devastation which the sequester would do to Ohio.

The text of the letter is below.

February 27, 2013

The Honorable John Kasich
Governor, State of Ohio
Riffe Center, 30th Floor
77 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6117

Dear Governor Kasich:

As you know, Washington is currently engaged in the latest round of negotiations to avoid a devastating series of automatic cuts -- called sequester -- that will begin taking effect on March 1st, promising to threaten hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs, crucial services for children, seniors, women, and our heroes in the Armed Services.

Ohioans understand that the sequester poses an immediate and serious danger to the citizens of our state. In an effort to do everything we can to seek compromise, we are seeking your help to encourage Ohio's Congressional Republican Delegation to come back to the negotiating table to support a common sense, bipartisan solution to avoid the devastation which the sequester would do to Ohio.

If Republicans and Democrats in Washington fail to cooperate, hundreds of millions of dollars will be slashed from Ohio's economy, harming local teachers, victims of domestic violence, job search assistance programs, and even our military readiness.

As Governor of Ohio, we trust you understand the significance the sequester will have on our economy, and how we must all join together to work in a bipartisan fashion to do everything we can to avoid this self-inflicted wound from partisan bickering. To assist your office, we have included a fact sheet with information about the practical harm which the sequester would have on both Ohio, and the nation.

Unfortunately, many Republicans in Congress are considering allowing the sequester to occur because they are adamantly opposed to asking for the wealthy to pay just a little more by closing tax loopholes.

No plan to avoid sequester is perfect, but President Obama has already put forward a long-term, balanced plan to both avoid the sequester and cut the deficit by another $1.5 trillion overall. This figure is in addition to the $2.5 trillion in deficit reduction the President as already signed into law. Compromise is always difficult, but Democrats are prepared to meet Republicans halfway by supporting a balanced plan that includes spending cuts in combination with new tax revenue to reduce the deficit.

We welcomed your recent comment, "you've got to steer clear of mindless partisanship…they don't give you an award for being a partisan." We entirely agree with you, but true bipartisanship requires bold action and a willingness to speak out.

It is our hope that you are willing to leave politics at the door, and leverage your close personal relationship with Speaker Boehner and the other members of Ohio's Republican Congressional Delegation to encourage them to support a balanced plan that includes both spending reduction and new revenues. With Ohio's schools set to lose over $25 million this year alone; 2,500 Ohio children set to lose Head Start services; and 26,000 Ohio civilian Department of Defense employees set to be furloughed, time is running short to speak out.

With your help, perhaps we can come together, and avoid the damage sequester will have on our great state. Thank you in advance for joining with us to protect the people of Ohio.

Sincerely,

Tim Ryan
Member of Congress

Marcia Fudge
Member of Congress

Joyce Beatty
Member of Congress

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