The result was two decades in the making . Republicans in charge of the Statehouse ended the progressive, or graduated, income tax in Ohio. They did so in the most recent state budget bill, commencing in July.

That outcome may please many Ohioans, especially those who have applauded the Republican project, begun in 2005. The aim has been to reduce state income tax rates, shrinking both the percentage collected from individuals and the number of brackets. Not surprisingly, taxpayers, especially big campaign donors, like paying less.

Today, the state income tax features a single bracket, all those affected paying 2.75%. That is a long way from the nine brackets and top rate of 7.5% on income above $200,000 early in this century, or just before Republicans went to work.

The argument ha

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