2010 OH Senate Debates: on Tax Reform

Lee Fisher: Let Bush tax cuts expire for millionaires

"Let's focus first on what policies got us into this recession," said Fisher, "because we can't afford to go back to the same people and the same policies that dug us the deepest economic ditch in most of our lifetimes."

Portman painted Fisher as the status quo responsible for the economic woes.

Rob Portman: Any tax increase would hurt the fragile economy

"Let's focus first on what policies got us into this recession," said Fisher."

On taxes, Fisher supports extending tax cuts for the middle class but letting them expire for millionaires and billionaires. Portman contends that any tax increase would hurt the fragile economy.

Lee Fisher: 2005 tax cut reduced Ohio taxes by 16.8%

Fisher said Portman has backed trade policies that have sent Ohio jobs overseas. He repeatedly sought to tie Portman to economic policies of former President George W. Bush, in whose administration Portman served as trade representative.

Portman said Fisher's proposals would mean job-killing higher taxes. "You can't continue to raise taxes," he said.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland implemented a tax cut in 2005 that resulted in state income taxes that are 16.8 percent less than they were in 2004, said a spokeswoman for Fisher, Ohio's lieutenant governor [under Strickland].