The Tribune Chronicle Editorial Board endorses State Sen. Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, over Republican challenger Nancy McArthur in the 32nd District.
Cafaro has worked well with her Republican counterparts. She supported the Trumbull County Eastern and Central district courts consolidation, later blocked by her Democratic colleagues in the House. She supports the Local Government Innovation Fund to promote public-sector mergers and shared services. She supports Gov. John Kasich's push to review hundreds of tax loopholes, referred to as ''tax expenditures'' because uncollected taxes have the same impact as expenses on the state budget. She supported JobsOhio, the semi-private state economic development arm opposed by fellow Democrats.
If Ohio does review and close the tax loopholes, debate will rage over what to do with the extra revenue. While Kasich wants an across-the-board income tax cut, Cafaro's idea to increase tax credits for proven job expansion programs among small- and medium-sized businesses merits consideration. Fortunately, she's not in camp with her Democratic colleagues who simply want to spend the extra revenue.
McArthur is a Chardon City Councilwoman. Chardon residents will be hit with water and sewer rate increases next year. McArthur blames one of the highest rates in the state on government mandates and used the stale excuse that ''there just wasn't any other choice.''
McArthur also favors leaving the Ohio Turnpike as a government-operated toll road. That should be the last option behind leasing or making it free.
We have concern over Cafaro's potential hindrance to Utica Shale development. Her desire for more local control, especially for zoning, of drilling wells and more rights to protect property owners against mandatory pooling of and compensation for mineral rights poses a minor threat.
The district includes Trumbull, Ashtabula and part of Lake counties. Cafaro has responded well to Ashtabula's needs, especially in terms of economic development opportunities.
Another term would be Cafaro's last under state limits. Voting begins Tuesday and concludes Nov. 6. The incumbent state senator deserves to stay in office.