The state of Ohio, along with so many other states, is facing a serious budget situation. This was inevitable and was something I wrote a lot about last fall. Anytime the economy retracts and businesses lose sales, tax base is lost and governments will suffer. While we have seen this on the federal level (their answer seems to be to just make more money), we were bound to see it on the state level and we are also beginning to see serious problems on the municipal level. This situation is going to worsen and it forces governments to make decisions as to how they will handle things.

There has been lots of hoopla this week about cuts being proposed in Ohio by our state government for the purpose of attempting to improve the budget situation. The proposed cuts are painful and not attractive to anyone. Even though I am not a fan of our state's governor, I am not so narrow minded as to think he really likes these cuts. He doesn't want to cut spending in the proposed areas. He is simply backed into a corner and doesn't know a better way.

But yet we have an example of a better way just a couple of counties over in Mercer County. Mercer County in Ohio has worked hard for several years to support and attract businesses to their communities. I have known people in my own community who have chosen to set up their businesses in Mercer County just because of how attractive they've made it there, despite having to drive 45 minutes or so each way to get to their business.

And how has that worked out? In this time of a rotten economy, they are doing pretty well in Mercer County. They have a great business base and as a result their unemployment is one of the lowest in the states.

Proof that reaching out to business works.

Please write our state officials, including the governor. Discourage them from cuts that will negatively impact the future of our state, our communities, our families, and our individuals. Encourage them instead to reach out to business leaders and find ways to grow Ohio through increased commerce, not to shrink Ohio through damaging cutbacks.

Along with I would say 90% of all Ohio business owners, I stand ready to go to Columbus and to help find positive solutions, not negative and temporary relief. I have written numerous times to many people and no response. Please join me in encouraging our state to reach out to business ... to bring additional employment to Ohio even during these tough times ... and to make our state great once again.

Our state has a long history of innovation and technological advancement. We can re-capture that. But doing so requires a cooperative connection between state government and business ... something which is sadly lacking right now. Our state and citizens, mark my words, will continue to suffer until that changes.