ELECTION 2004 - OHIO Races for the Ohio statehouse Ohio 8th Senate District Ohio 14th Senate District Ohio 28th House District Ohio 29th House District Ohio 30th House District Ohio 31st House District Ohio 33rd House District ELECTION 2004 - KENTUCKY Battling for a seat in Frankfort Kentucky 17th Senate District Kentucky 23rd Senate District Kentucky 61st House District Kentucky 67th House District

Tom Jones: It is my belief from listening to many businesses and residents in the 33rd district that there is a large number of individuals who feel a strong reconnect of state and local municipally is needed.

State representation for our district must reflect and address more vigorously the problems at the local level that are affecting, declining residency, public safety, business growth and unemployment.

Tyrone Yates: The 33rd legislative district needs most from state government a governor that will listen more to the broad public and civic community than the special interests overly represented in governmental decisions by large corporations. The role of government is to serve the people. In Ohio, we instinctively know that Ohio's governmental decisions are often slanted in the direction of business over the public interest. The $200 million Convergys agreement is a classic case.

How do you think the next legislature should deal with the state's continuing budget deficit crisis?

Tom Jones: First, we need to look at those large state expenditures versus the lack of return. We can't continue to spend money on projects and contributing to funds that don't have the ability to encourage income into our coffers.

Second, I believe increasing capital resources by creating initiatives attractive enough to encourage capital investments from larger corporate entities will have a positive affect on curving the deficit and numerous other state problems.

Tyrone Yates: It will be an error of leadership to extend the penny sales tax the Legislature promised would sunset in 2005 instead of tax reform. The inequitable and regressive sales tax was imposed in 2004 on the basis of a common understanding (now being swiftly forgotten) that Ohio's large corporate and financial services sector would participate in meaningful tax reform in 2005. The truth is that for the last 20 years, Ohio's large corporations have drilled exceptions, deductions, credits and grant programs into Ohio law, representing a gap the size of the Grand Canyon in Ohio's fiscal needs.