Exclusive — Vivek Ramaswamy: We Must Get Ohio to a 'Zero State Income Tax'

Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy told Breitbart News Daily that Ohio must become a “zero state income tax” state, drawing comparisons to states such as Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. During his appearance on the show, Ramaswamy emphasized that achieving this goal would require a fundamental restructuring of state governance, focusing on eliminating wasteful spending and addressing systemic issues within key programs like Medicaid. Ramaswamy, known for co-founding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) movement, argued that reducing state income taxes hinges on creating a more efficient and accountable government. He pointed to the current inefficiencies in state operations, stating that the government spends money on “unnecessary things” while neglecting essential priorities such as infrastructure and highway maintenance. According to Ramaswamy, these misallocations contribute to a broader culture of waste, fraud, and abuse that undermines public trust and financial stability. A central focus of his proposal was the Medicaid program, which Ramaswamy identified as the largest line item in Ohio’s state budget. He claimed that Medicaid spending increased from $27 billion to $47 billion over the past decade, despite relatively stable enrollment levels. This discrepancy, he argued, indicates significant inefficiencies. Ramaswamy estimated that at least 10 percent of Medicaid expenditures involve waste, fraud, and abuse, based on “good independent statistics.” He proposed aggressive measures to investigate and prosecute these violations, aiming to redirect funds from questionable recipients to law-abiding citizens. The candidate outlined a strategy to combat these issues by targeting fraudulent activity and reclaiming misused taxpayer dollars. He suggested that by removing money from “bad guys”, those engaging in improper practices, and distributing it to responsible individuals, the state could reduce healthcare costs, boost economic growth, and curb excessive spending. Ramaswamy framed this approach as part of a larger vision for fiscal responsibility, arguing that it would ultimately benefit all Ohio residents by ensuring their tax dollars are used efficiently and transparently. In addition to Medicaid, Ramaswamy called for a comprehensive review of how the state allocates its resources. He stressed that the path to zero income tax requires a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about government spending and prioritize the most critical functions. His remarks reflect a broader ideological stance favoring limited government intervention and market-driven solutions to public challenges. The discussion took place during a live broadcast of Breitbart News Daily, which airs weekdays on SiriusXM Patriot 125 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Eastern time. The segment highlighted Ramaswamy’s campaign platform and his commitment to reforming state-level fiscal policies. While the conversation focused primarily on economic strategies, it also touched on broader themes of accountability and transparency in government operations. As the race for governor intensifies, Ramaswamy’s emphasis on zero income tax positions him as a candidate advocating for transformative changes in how Ohio manages its finances and serves its citizens.