LT. GOVERNOR VISITS LIMA, DISCUSSES TAX REFORM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today visited Lima, touring Accubuilt Inc., laying out the need for tax reform in Ohio and providing insight into Governor Bob Taft’s plan to establish a tax system that promotes economic development.

“Ohio’s antiquated tax system is costly to firms that are already here, and hinders our ability to attract new business to Ohio,” said Johnson, who also serves as state development director. “In addition to making locations like Allen County more attractive for new business and the creation of good jobs, our tax reform plan will also put money back into the pockets of Ohio families.”

Governor Taft’s tax reform plan would cut personal income tax rates by 21 percent over five years; eliminate state income tax for Ohioans making less than $10,000 a year; and phase out the tax on equipment and inventory and the corporate franchise tax, replacing them with a broad-based, low-rate commercial activity tax. The plan also calls for spending $390 million to hold schools and local governments harmless from loss. Overall, the plan would collect $800 million less over the next two years than the state would receive if today’s tax rates remained in place.

In addition to touring Accubuilt, Johnson met with President & CEO Don Cuzzocrea and more than a dozen managers, providing an overview of Governor Bob Taft’s tax reform proposal and answering questions on how it will help manufacturers like Accubuilt.
With a history dating back to 1876, Accubuilt offers specialized vehicles that blend innovative technologies and state-of-the-art engineering. Its selection of vehicles includes Sayers & Scovill, Superior, Eureka, Miller-Meteor and the DeVille Executive Sedan. Accubuilt provides a wide variety of specialty vehicles for the funeral and livery industries. Last week, the Ohio Department of Development awarded Accubuilt a 7-year, 55% Job Creation Tax Credit to help Accubuilt move forward with an expansion that will create nearly 70 new jobs.

Governor Taft’s Tax Reform Plan has received support from a broad and diverse coalition which includes the Ohio Business Roundtable, the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council, the Ohio Dental Association, the Ohio Economic Development Association, the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio State Medical Association.