Whaley proposes free community college, drug surcharge
GOVERNOR’S RACE
Gubernatorial candidate and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley is proposing to make community college free in Ohio and to impose a 5-centsper-dose surcharge on prescription opioids.
The Democrat unveiled the proposals in a speech to the City Club of Cleveland on Thursday.
As she has in the three Democratic debates held thus far, Whaley blasted the Republican-controlled state government for cutting taxes for the wealthy and paying for the cuts by slashing funding for programs that help average people.
“There aren’t resources to provide the basic services we need and expect,” Whaley said.
Dayton was among the first cities in the state to sue prescription drugmakers and distributors to help deal with the state’s opioid epidemic. On Thursday, she again brought up her proposed nickel-a-dose surcharge on them as a way to raise $35 million a year to help “clean up the mess they created.”
Asked in an email whether drugmakers wouldn’t just pass those costs along to people who are legitimately using opioids, Whaley’s spokeswoman Faith Oltman said, “Nan will protect against that the same way the state went after road salt manufacturers acting in collusion or gas gougers passing on costs to consumers.”
Whaley proposed universal, free community college in Ohio. She said Tennessee has such a program and Dayton’s Sinclair Community College is participating in a similar pilot program.
“Free community college will allow every Ohioan to take advantage of lifelong learning and training opportunities,” Whaley said.
In addition to Whaley, state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, former state Rep. Connie Pillich of Montgomery, and former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton of Copley also are running for the Democratic nomination for governor. Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill said he will officially declare early next year, but he’s already campaigning.