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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > May > 18 > Entry
State budget shortfall now put at $912 million
With less than a month and a half to go in this fiscal year, Gov. Ted Strickland and legislative leaders have to figure out how to fill a $912 million hole in the state budget.
The budget office on Monday, May 18, released the updated estimate on the shortfall. Two weeks ago, budget and tax officials said the shortfall would be between $600 million and more than $900 million for the year ending June 30.
Strickland has come up with about $150 million to fill the new hole through savings achieved by an executive order and delaying debt payments.
The $948 million “rainy day” fund “continues to be one possible solution to end the fiscal year in balance,” Amanda Wurst, Strickland’s spokeswoman said in an e-mail. Strickland, however, will work in a “collaborative way” with legislators to reach a decision, she said.
The new projection comes with the Senate now considering the proposed budget for the next two years. Strickland had planned to used the “rainy day” fund money in that budget.
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Comments
By Lollipop
May 19, 2009 8:17 PM | Link to this
This problem solution is child-simple: all the mamas with illigitimate babies, on WIC, free housing, schooling, food, etc…cut ‘em off. Drug sellers living in Sec. 8 housing can go. But,no, we who live by the rule pay thru the nose for these unproductive people. Also, Dayton has a million or more late with their property taxes…go after ‘em ! DO SOMETHING! This debt could be reduced.By Ronda
May 18, 2009 11:32 PM | Link to this
Hey, start copying Dayton’s actions, it seems like they are trying to balance their budget with traffic tickets. I have never seen so many Dayton cops patrolling St. Rt. 35 from I-75 and heading east. But of course cities never give cops quotas, right?By Barack Salama
May 18, 2009 11:12 PM | Link to this
Let me be the first to say cut off welfare benefits to people who have abused the system. Then legalize drugs and tax them.By Guss
May 18, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this
Billion dollar rainy day fund?? And get almost 10 billion in federal stimulis money,,, AKA “TAXPAYER” money also,,wake up people,it’s fairly easy to see whats going on in this state,,they have taxed industry and citizens over the top,,when your the last on the list of buisness friendly states,,and then wonder where all the tax base has gone,,there is way to many chiefs,,no indians left,,etc,,etc,,I am moving to Texas where the know how to run a state!!By CW
May 18, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this
There is a State subsidy to pay for adoption costs, up to $2000. This is a very good thing, as adoption from the child welfare system benefits so many-the adoptee, the adoptive family, the community because child who are adopted are better able to reach their potential and be better citizens, and the taxpayers, because adoption from the child welfare system saves money from foster care payments and administrative costs. Unfortunately, a loophole in the ORC allows these payments to go for private and foreign adoptions also. This is NOT what this money is intended for and the law needs to be changed to save at least a million $$.By Jim
May 18, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
Give me the red pen.By Knushi
May 18, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
Man oh Man! If we started at the top down and got rid of the waste we wouldn’t be in the financial diffuculty we are in. Just last week Magnets were sent to ODOT garages that said Click it or Ticket. These were sent with the instructions to put them on all the tailgates of their trucks and other vehicles. Yep just what they needed to spend their money on. The State money is being spent so wisely. There are billboards with this slogan on it and people know by now you wear your seat belt or you get a ticket and if they don’t know it there is something wrong with them. Gee I wonder how much about 25 of these magnets that are about 10 inches in diameter cost and they were sent to all ODOT garages. This is only a small waste that goes on everyday in the State. Instaed of cutting the employees, retirement, raising insurance, taking ten days with no pay and so on and so on, why not cut out the waste first instead of adding to the problem. Cut some pay at the top down first. Fire those wasteing the State money!By Mary
May 18, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this
It is hard to slam the ship of state into reverse. We are about to pay for our full speed ahead, spend happy, ways. But I am glad in a way politicians are finally being forced to think about cuts and priorities. I hope they set the right priorities.By JoJo
May 18, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
It’s only going to get worse. Taxes will have to go up to cover Ohio’s next budget and Obamas outrageous budget. The cost of everything is going to go up. Things are changing alright…for the worse. “Obama, change you can count on”.