UPDATE: Kilroy calls for targeted tax relief for middle class

COLUMBUS - Franklin Co. Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Columbus) made a direct appeal to families and the middle class today by releasing her tax cut proposals, which would be made for specific financial priorities rather than income tax relief.

Kilroy wants a college tuition tax credit worth up to $5,000 annually; increasing the child tax credit to 35 percent to a maximum of $2,100 for families earning up to $200,000; a $1,200 credit for the first $6,000 in elderly care expenses; $1,000 per person credit ($2,000 per family) for health insurance coverage otherwise lost between job, and finally a 401(k) match from the federal government of 25 percent up to $1,000 per year.

"You know I remember the month of August very well when my two daughters were in college because that meant a big payment we had to make - writing those checks to help them pay their tutition, pay their room-and-board, get those books purchased," Kilroy said, adding she understands families want help to pay for college.

College tuition was the main topic of her tax relief proposal, which she explained to eight college students at Ohio State University's Page Hall. Kilroy was comfortable and lucid with a live audience, speaking sparingly from notes.

Kilroy was asked how help to families to pay for college would prevent the "brain drain" of Ohioans leaving the state to attend other colleges or leave later for work after they get their degrees here.

"I don't think students are leaving because of college tax credits paying tuition. They're leaving because there's no opportunity here. They go where there's opportunity, they go where there's an exciting cultural life, and that's what we need to address," she said.

Aside from helping families pay expenses for their younger members, Kilroy wants to help pay for part of the cost of caring for elderly parents with a tax credit. Kilroy said relief for children and parents would help take the squeeze of the "sandwich generation" of baby boomers who find they're supporting both cohorts.

Kilroy said her plan could be paid for by repealing the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

The National Republican Congressional Committee made sure Kilroy didn't go unscathed by sending a press release to reporters' just as her speech started. The NRCC said as commissioner, Kilroy raised the county's sales tax and increased the county's property transfer fee.

"Considering her long and appalling record as an established tax-hiker, Mary Jo Kilroy is in no position to talk about fiscal responsibility," said spokesperson Ken Spain.

UPDATE: Kilroy communications director Brad Bauman responded to the NRCC statement by saying the GOP has no credibility on taxes, including opponent state Sen. Steve Stivers (R-Columbus). 

"Republicans in Washington, D.C. should stick to what they do best, raising large sums of money from big oil and the insurance companies rather than back up a candidate who has no credibility on tax issues. Stivers voted for the largest tax increase in Ohio history, the Taft Tax, and also voted to increase college tuition by as much as 12.9% at Ohio State," he said.