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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > June > 30 > Entry
UPDATED: Strickland signs budget - House approves 7-day budget, sends to Strickland
Gov. Ted Strickland on Tuesday, June 30, signed a temporary seven-day state budget.
He acted after the House approved the budget 94-2 earlier on Tuesday.
The Senate approved the interim budget 32-0 on Monday.
The budget will keep state government operating while negotiators try to end an impasse between Strickland and Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, over video slot machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks.
The gap hadn’t narrowed on Tuesday. Strickland blamed Harris and Republicans for forcing him to sign an interim budget.
“It is time for the Senate majority to stop avoiding hard choices and say what taxes they would increase or what services they would further reduce if they will not support the budget proposal,” Strickland said in a press release.
Harris told reporters Strickland has the authority to set up slots at the tracks without the legislature’s approval and that’s what he should do.
“I’m hoping the governor does what he said he was going to do,” Harris said.
The budget will be in effect until July 7. It funds most state agencies at 70 percent of current spending levels. However, there are no cuts to debt service and big-ticket budget items including K-12 education, higher education and Medicaid.
Also Tuesday, Budish said a bill was introduced to authorize a second, seven-day budget. He said legislators were “just being prepared.” The second bill, which would require approval by the House and Senate, would continue state government operations through July 14.
He said the situation on slots was a “stalemate.” Strickland wants the legislature to authorize putting slots at the tracks. Harris says Strickland has the authority to do it on his own.
Strickland projects that the slots would raise $933 million over two years.
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Comments
By Kristy
July 1, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
I am more concerned with Governor Stricklands budget Cuts. Cutting out the Eli program for working parents is wrong. Many parents rely on this program to help their children become kindergarten ready while they are working to support their family. If I didn’t have the Eli program for one of my children a few years ago, I really feel my son would not have been ready for kindergarten this past year. Governor Strickland says he is for education but he wants to cut the Eli program which helps children start their education. Does this sound right? He can’t have both ways.By bobs
July 1, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
Yes, Teddy Flip-Flop! Love it. Great nickname. I would just like to know how much Teddy Flip-Flop is now getting from his new gambling friends. And again, people, gambling is coming, thats not the argument, the argument is how it is written into law.By Kyle
June 30, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
Ted Strickland is a disgrace…he LIED about libraries. LIED. I mean, how do you villify libraries with a clear conscience? He needs to go. NOW.By painfultruth
June 30, 2009 9:38 PM | Link to this
I’m SURE that everyone that “opposes gambling” in Ohio has NEVER BOUGHT A LOTTERY TICKET! This is the biggest bunch of hypocrites I’ve EVER seen. Epecially Flip-Flop Strickland!By Victor
June 30, 2009 9:01 PM | Link to this
TAX SLOTS NOT ME PLUS WHO GIVES US THE RIGHT TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN AND CANNOT DOBy Ohio's Equine Industry
June 30, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
Let me put it in to perspective for those that don’t understand how not approving the latest slot proposal will hurt Ohio. Ohio’s equine industry is a $900 Million dollar industry. It currently brings in millions of dollars in tax revenue to the state, and it employs more people throughout the state than Honda and the other large corporations—Combined. For those that say, “who cares about the dying horse industry in Ohio” are pretty much saying they don’t care if thousands of more people lose their jobs. This industry effects dozens of other industries in which Ohioans make their living by. Perfect example: In 2007, Midland Acres, a local breeding farm in Fayette Co spent over $400,000.00 on hay and straw alone. Do you think they purchased that hay from Indiana farmers? No, it came from local farmers in Ohio. In 2009, that number will be a fraction of that. Who is hurt by that? the farmers. Midland had to create a satellite farm in Indiana just too survive. Once again, more money leaving the state. How about Truck/trailer dealers-a means of transporting the animals. I bet Bill Harris’ dealerships probably sold a truck or two to a farmer or a horseman. You can build the same case for vets, farriers, grooms, trainers, and many other small businesses just to name a few. In response to that past expanded gambling issues that failed. I’m tired of reading that the people have spoken on expanded gambling. They haven’t voted down gambling necessarily, they’ve voted down the issue at hand. I am a perfect example. I voted “no” on several of those issues, but I am all for expanded gambling. On those that I voted “no” I was not for the dispursement of money. The latest proposal from the Ohio Racing Commission is a win for the state, and is a win for the equine industry and all those industries that are directly tied. The state gets more money than recent proposals, and the equine industry gets a boost in an attempt to save a near billion dollar industry. The livelihood of thousands of Ohioans is up in the air right now and people like Bill Harris continue to play political games. If the state isn’t careful, the proposal that the casinos are working on for the next election will pass and the state and equine industry will lose out. Even worse, the Indian casinos will come to Ohio and the state won’t get anything. If you don’t believe me, just drive up north to the state called Michigan and see for yourself. Conservatives act like if they bring in slots, Ohioans are just now going to start gambling. Hello, wake up. People are already gambling. They drive to the nearest casino 2 1/2 hours away and the other states love it. Gambling is as easy as logging on to your computer any more. It is happening everyday, why not take the millions of dollars that currently leave the state and keep it. Why not keep a once thriving horse industry and make it what it used to be. Why not create new jobs at the racinos? Why not create new tax revenue? Or we can just raise taxes.By j newman
June 30, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
The longer I think on it. The more I believe that Strickland scamed the legislature. Making riduclous cuts and slots to put the ball and blame on the legislature.By Logic Man
June 30, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
At this point, since Teddy has lied over and over again about libraries being dishonest, I have a hard time believing anyhting he saysBy bobs
June 30, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
Mark, the problem is not the slots, its how the slots will be written into law. Teddy does not want to have him be the sole party responsible for bringing gambling machines into Ohio…you know because he said 8 months ago he was against gambling. Will not look to good politically…but regardless slots are indeed coming, no worries there. Teddy is just worried about having to wear flip flops. Harris 1, Teddy 0.By Gambler
June 30, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this
“Dirty money?” I don’t see what your problem is here. If you don’t like gambling then don’t put a quarter in the machine. Cigarettes and alcohol are legal and taxed but that doesn’t mean you have to do them or buy them what do you care if the state is making money?By passthebudget
June 30, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
Just do your job! Pass the budget and move on!!!By harmony
June 30, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
Dirty money??? Get real!! I say lets do it, and people like you should keep that frame of mind, and STAY BROKE!!!! You should benefit from nothing.By Jason
June 30, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
I don’t want dirty money. I would rather have none. Keep the slots out of Ohio.By laughing duck
June 30, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
Here, here, Mark! Slots are FINE! Even a little extra tax is fine if it keeps the state running. They are punishing citizens for past fiscal irresponsibility.By Mark
June 30, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
If the state can make money with slots then they need to do it, you are punishing the citizens of Ohio by not doing it. There is no reason to let other states keep our money when this state can use it.