Former Ohio Governor and US Rep. John J. Gilligan dies

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Former Ohio Gov. and U.S. Rep. John J. Gilligan, a liberal Democrat who won creation of the state income tax, has died. He was 92.

His death Monday was confirmed by caregiver Frank Kennedy.

Gilligan's daughter is Kathleen Sebelius, a former Kansas governor and current Health and Human Services secretary under President Barack Obama.

Gilligan became the Ohio's 62nd governor in 1970, a year in which Republicans suffered from a loan scandal in the state treasurer's office.

The former teacher inherited a school funding problem in which 24 districts had closed for lack of operating money and more were expected to follow suit.

Gilligan persuaded legislators to enact the state's first corporate and personal income tax in 1971 to raise money for dealing with those and other government priorities.

With the news of the passing of former Gov. John J. Gilligan, Cuyahoga County Executive and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald offered his condolences to the family and issued the following statement:

"Gov. John Gilligan was a dedicated public servant who never stopped giving back to the state he loved. When he was 78 years old, a quarter century after he left the governor's office, Gov. Gilligan was elected to the Board of Education of Cincinnati City Schools where he served for eight years. Gov. Gilligan was also a dedicated father and family man whose children and grandchildren follow his path today and continue his legacy of service."

Ohio Governor John Kasich also released a statement:

"I was saddened to learn of the passing of Gov. Gilligan. He served with honor and distinction, and my family's thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time."

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