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House to hear from budget cut casualties
With no end in sight to Ohio’s budget crisis, the House Finance Committee on Thursday, July 2, will begin hearings on what harm an additional $933 million in budget cuts would do to Ohio’s needy.
House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, said the hearings are needed because the Republican-controlled Senate apparently is unwilling to authorize video slots at Ohio racetracks to raise the $933 million.
Budish said the committee wants to hear from “real people” about the pain more cuts would cause. Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Sykes, D-Akron, said the hearings will focus on “people who need food, people who need housing.”
The House hearings will start just as a new five-member Senate panel begins its hearings on Strickland’s slots proposal. Sen. Mark Wagoner, R-Toledo, said the hearings will explore legal issues surrounding the slots plan and revenue estimates.
“I think Ohioans are tired of legislation by crisis,” said Wagoner, who will chair the hearings.
Also Wednesday, the House voted 84-11 for a second seven-day budget lasting from July 8-14. The current seven-day budget started Wednesday.
Talks on a permanent two-year budget have broken down over the slots’ proposal. Strickland says he needs legislative authority to proceed. Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, says Strickland already has the authority to expand the Ohio Lottery to include the slots.
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