Each Friday, Eye on the Statehouse will announce its “Porker of the Week.” It’s our way of calling attention to a particularly big or wasteful spender. This week’s porker is the Ohio Business Development Coalition.

The OBDC was originally founded and funded in 2004 via a $8.1 million SBC fine. It has turned into a budget eating corporate welfare program – asking for $6 million in new tax dollars.

The OBDC is charged with attracting businesses to the state. But Ohio already has a business development force called the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which is not taxpayer subsidized.

The OBDC says “new tax reform…moves the state to the front of the line when lined up against national rivals.” However, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, Ohio ranks a 49th in business-friendly tax climate, while neighboring Indiana ranks 12th.

Recently, Ohio lost a $141 million Honda plant to Greensburg, Indiana. The explanation seems a bit clearer in light of the Tax Foundation’s analysis. Maybe the OBDC meant back of the line instead of front.

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