Mark Wagoner - Responsible Leadership

Representing one of Northwest Ohio's conservative districts, Mark Wagoner ( R., Ottawa Hills) demonstrated courage, integrity, and leadership by casting the deciding vote to delay an income-tax cut (4.2%) until 2011. This was necessary to avoid $851 million budget deficit. As Matt Szollosi (D., Oregon) said, "He was looking to do what was in the best interests of the state of Ohio and the students of our schools." During this "Great Recession" Governor Strickland has cut almost everything possible. It was either delay this tax cut or take the money from Ohio's school children. Mark and four other Republicans stood up to the plate and did the responsible thing.

Perhaps his remarks to his fellow Republicans will get their attention: "If we all were storming the beaches of Normandy right now, very few in our caucus would have gotten off the boat."