1) State Spending

Indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category- you can use a number more than once.

State spending needs to be streamlined, with new methods of protecting the environment added into statutory law. Too often corporations or individuals are able to get away with pollution because the fines are insignificant compared to the damage done. Our court system should be able to hold a polluter fully accountable for all damages done to the environment.
Decreases in health care, law enforcement, and welfare are tied together. Many families are torn apart by excessive sentencing laws. Reducing or eliminating sentences for nonviolent offenders would reunite families, put people to work, and reduce prison overcrowding.

2) State Taxes

Indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category- you can use a number more than once.

3) Budget Stabilization

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Ohio's budget.

The federal government has already initiated retroactive policies to deny payment for valid claims under Medicare. By noting the cost-cutting lead set by the Obama administration but still allowing valid claims to go through, Ohio should be able to find a more humane method of helping to reduce costs in Medicaid and other state-sponsored health plans. Malpractice reform and an outreach effort to patients to explain how medical care works would start to bring the real drivers of cost under control.

c) Do you support limits on the following types of contributions to candidates for state government?

Campaign finance limits supposedly limit the influence of money and large donors in campaigns, but instead have given rise to the numerous "attack-PACs" that have come to dominate our political landscape. Large donors will find a way to give to their candidate regardless of contribution limits. By allowing candidates to receive unlimited contributions from any source and then requiring full, frequent disclosure, the public will be able to see for the first time who is truly paying for their political leadership.

I oppose capital punishment because I consider myself to be pro-life.
Decriminalization of non-violent crimes and alternative sentencing will immediately relive the overcrowded prisons in Ohio, keep families together, and end the racial disparities of the worst legislative relics from the 20th century.
Minors are not considered adults for a reason-they make mistakes. For certain crimes, adult prosecution is reasonable. For others, understanding must be made and new technologies adapted to. More coherent families will reduce errant childhood actions.
Local officials should take reasonable steps to enforce laws that support federal immigration policy without being burdensome on the local community.

Ohio must revamp its social safety network to adapt to the increasingly fast boom/bust cycle caused by the federal governments monetary policies. During recessions, benefits should be slowly expanded to meet the demand. During economic booms, benefits should be curtailed, with the savings going into an account that will be tapped during recessions. Under our current system, benefits are always plentiful, leading to excessive debt and borrowing billions of dollars just to remain solvent. This is an unconscionable burden on our children, and one we have a responsibility to resolve now.

The way Ohio funds our schools is laughably unequal in almost every way. Several governors have attempted to resolve this, and all have failed because they cannot bring themselves to allow parents to control the education of their child directly. I will propose a system that will put parents in control of their childs education from kindergarten through high school graduation.
Please visit my campaign website for additional information. www.MikeJohnstonForOhio.com

Ohio has the capability to become energy independent. It can do so without government subsidies, if the Ohio legislature creates a business climate that welcomes the development of environmentally friendly sustainable energy production. I envision an Ohio that is a net exporter of energy by 2020 and where coal is no longer a major source of that energy by 2050.

I support restrictions on gun ownership for those who are demonstrably not able to use them responsibly, such as felons. Otherwise, I would support very few ownership restrictions. People should be allowed to protect themselves and their families.
Background checks, if required at a store, should be required between individuals as well. The 14th Amendment requires laws to be applied equally to all entities. Allowing for a disparity is disrespectful of the Constitution and a violation of my oath of office.
Concealed carry should be permitted. Private businesses may restrict on their own property as they choose.

Many of the problems with the cost and availability of health care can be traced directly to government interference. Government policies tie insurance to work. Government policies created the hated HMO structure. Government policies drive doctors to perform expensive, unneeded tests. Returning to common-sense policies regarding health care is the only affordable, sustainable way of increasing access and availability of health care to all of Ohios citizens.

Government defined marriage interferes with the First Amendment freedom of religion. Anyone who values the freedom to worship God as they choose should find political interference in the most sacred of religious ceremonies to be an abomination. Ohio should make no law regarding the formation of interpersonal relationships.
Nobody should be discriminated against because of who God made them. Hating or attacking someone because of who or what they are is an affront to human decency. Likewise, so is providing unique preference or treatment because of who or what someone is. Affirmative action and discrimination should be eliminated in Ohio.

I will focus on bringing jobs back to Ohio by working to create a business environment that is attractive to employers and investors.
I will work to acheive real education reform that puts parents back in control of their childs education.
I will push to produce an environment that makes Ohio energy independent, then an exporter of energy using environmentally and economically sustainable sources.
Ohios budget problems are not being dealt with by the current representatives. I will push from day one to find more than the $8billion needed to balance Ohios next budget and save taxpayers money permanently.