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CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says Ohioans are feeling the pressure of rising costs, and he is proposing an economic overhaul centered on tax cuts, job creation, and school improvement.
“Top three things I want to do, lower costs, bigger paychecks, better schools,” Ramaswamy said.
Jobs and workforce training
Ramaswamy said bringing high-paying jobs back to Ohio is his first priority, paired with expanded workforce and trades-based education.
“The number one step… bring high-paying jobs back to the state in droves… combine that with good workforce training… trades-based education… that’s going to bring an economic boom,” he said.
Zero income tax proposal
On tax policy, Ramaswamy said he wants to eliminate Ohio’s state income tax, arguing the state is losing residents to no-income-tax states.
“They’re going to Texas… Florida… Tennessee… Zero income tax. So… I’m going to make us a zero income tax state,” he said.
He also said producing more energy to reduce electric bills and prosecuting Medicaid fraud could help lower costs for Ohioans.
“This is how we really make everyday life more affordable. We bring down costs and we bring up wages,” Ramaswamy said.
Cutting bureaucracy
Ramaswamy said government red tape is his “pet peeve” and called for faster-moving state agencies, including a new office he described as a department of customer service reporting directly to the governor.
“Bureaucracy is my pet peeve… it often takes to get a license, to build a new power plant… I want our government to move faster… creating… a department of customer service that reports directly to me,” he said.
Crime and school closures
On public safety, Ramaswamy — who said he grew up in Cincinnati — said families should be able to enjoy downtown without fear.
“Urban crime, big issue… you back the blue… enforce the rule of law… go enjoy a Bengals game or a Reds game… and you can actually go home without fear,” he said.
He also criticized pandemic-era school closures, directing his remarks at Democratic candidate Amy Acton, who served as Ohio’s state health director during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Cincinnati Public Schools were closed for nearly two years… those kids… are never going to get those two years of their education back,” Ramaswamy said.
Requests for an interview with Acton have not yet resulted in a scheduled appearance.
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