Top Athens County Democrats gathered yesterday at the county courthouse steps to voice their opinions against the Republican gubernatorial candidate’s public safety tax plan.

The Athens news conference is one of many the Ohio Democratic Party is hosting around the state to oppose Republican candidate John Kasich, a nine-time congressman, and House Bill 400, which would eliminate the state income tax during a 10-year period.

A January 2010 study done by the Legislative Services Commission estimated Athens County would lose $900,000 if the bill passed, said Pat Kelly, Athens County sheriff and a Democrat.

“Ever since the effects of Congressman Kasich’s reckless plan were exposed by the non-partisan Legislative Services Commission, we have been holding some events across the state,” said Seth Bringman, spokesman for the Ohio Democratic Party.

After hearing about Kasich’s plan, community leaders are eager to spread the news in their neighborhoods, Bringman added.

Pat Lang, Athens City law director and a Democrat, said Kasich has been traveling around lauding House Bill 400, which was introduced Christmas Eve.

“I guess maybe on the surface it sounds like a Christmas gift – I mean nobody likes to pay income tax; I don’t like to pay income tax – until you look at the details and what they plan to replace this lost revenue with. And what they propose to replace this revenue with is nothing,” he said.

The bill was held for further deliberation as of May 26, which is music to the ears of Kelly.

“It would be devastating to local law enforcement if House Bill 400 passed… (The bill) will affect law enforcement, public services, fire departments, (emergency medical services) and all of us,” Kelly said.

Although the city of Athens does not receive money directly from the state income tax revenue, about 50 percent of the city’s general revenue fund comes from state money, said Kathy Hecht, Athens City auditor and a Democrat.

“We get hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state grants for transportation and buses … it could be affected in a lot of ways if we lose state income tax funding,” she said.

Kasich’s campaign could not be reached for comment yesterday.