Ken Blackwell wants to.

From The Columbus Dispatch:

Republican gubernatorial candidate J. Kenneth Blackwell is calling for the reopening of the Lima Correctional Institution, which was closed two years ago in a budget-cutting move.

The Taft administration still thinks the state can't afford the estimated cost of $70 million to $90 million to reopen and operate the facility, but Blackwell is confident he can find the money in the state budget, spokesman Carlo LoParo said.

“It's necessary for the economic vitality of Lima and Allen County and to house our prison population,” LoParo said.

The only reason to reopen the prison is to reduce overcrowding or if the number of available cells is running low.

Does anybody know if the suggested overcrowding in Ohio prisons is true?

Ken Blackwell releases a proposal which has some ideas that I like.

From a release from the Blackwell campaign:

Ohio’s regulatory policies are among the most restrictive in the nation and place Ohioans at a competitive disadvantage in the regional competition for jobs. In response, gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell today unveiled a set of regulatory reforms aimed at fostering job creation and economic growth while maintaining safe environmental standards.

“As we compete in the regional economy, we must take steps to make Ohio more attractive to job creation and entrepreneurial risk taking,” said Blackwell. “Providing industry with streamlined and predictable regulatory standards will make our state a smart choice for businesses seeking to relocate or expand.”

The Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University has ranked Ohio’s regulatory policies the third most restrictive in the nation. The Pacific Research Institute ranked Ohio’s policies the fifth most restrictive.

Blackwell offered the following pro-growth regulatory reforms:

· Require Ohio regulations to be no more stringent than federal standards;

· Guarantee Ohio regulations are adopted under a cost effectiveness standard, ensuring the cost of implementation does not exceed the benefit of the regulation;

· Prevent the dual regulation of Ohio businesses by multiple agencies when practical;

· Create an Office of Sustainable Development within the Department of Development to serve as a one-stop-shop clearing house for all environmental, transportation, infrastructure and land use planning/construction programs;

· Issue an Executive Order mandating all state agencies improve and accelerate permit processing timetables; and

· Encourage regional consolidation of business permitting, where practical, to eliminate the red-tape that hampers business development and job creation.

In addition, Blackwell will continue the task of tort reform by addressing additional issues in the areas of medical malpractice, employment law, non-economic damage caps, joint and several liability and capping attorneys’ fees.

How much more successful will the Ohio economy be if the ambulance chasers are tripped up? A lot. If only the Democrats were as upset with the onerous regulations on small businesses as they are over the petition-gathering rules that groups like ACORN must follow.

From Openers

Which gubernatorial candidate can slay the red tape dragon raining regulatory fire down upon Ohio businesses?

Sir Ken of Cincinnati made his case Thursday as the GOP's knight in shining gubernatorial armor spoke before a veritable roundtable of business association types at a Columbus press conference on regulatory reform.

"Our regulatory environment is one that is red-tape filled and a whopping disincentive to capital investment," Blackwell said. The fine-print Blackwell would arm himself with to do battle with bureaucracy: A requirement that Ohio regulations be no more stringent than federal standards and that all state regulations be cost-effective. He would also create an Office of Sustainable Development within the state's development department to serve as a one-stop clearing house for all environmental, transportation and infrastructure permits.

Asked what current regulations aren't cost-effective, Blackwell cited environmental regulations governing how much mercury can be in water as well as standards for protecting and replacing wetlands.

"I represent someone who will put his foot on the accelerator, making sure we continue with reforms that have been established," said Blackwell. "Ted Strickland represents someone who would put his foot on the brake."

Yet, Sir Ted of Lisbon has also spoken about slaying the red tape beast lurking within the bowels of state government. Strickland's red-tape reduction plan includes an across-the-board review of current regulations aimed at eliminating those that are unnecessary and redundant. His plan includes waiving penalties and fees for businesses that run afoul of minor regulations for the first time.

Humor from openers...

Ken Blackwell's running mate, Tom Raga, stopped by Ted Strickland's home county of Scioto this morning for a meet-and-greet.

He gave a brief speech highlighting the Blackwell agenda and touching on Strickland's inexperience before taking questions.

One of the questions asked was about the polls, which have ranged from showing a 4-point margin to a 25-point margin. In his response, Raga mentioned that the campaign's internal polls now show them down by only 7%. Furthermore, the numbers shift into Blackwell's favor after voters hear about the experience and platforms of the two candidates.

Raga also said he's noticed a shift in the last couple weeks, with people paying more attention to the election and warming up to the Blackwell campaign more and more.