STATE BUDGET Government and library funds spared

The governor said he intends to sign the plan, which also includes allowing Ohio to join a multistate lottery.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Representatives of local governments and public libraries say they're relieved that a compromise plan to erase a $1.5 billion shortfall in the state budget backed off major cuts to the funds that help them.
"This is going to make a huge difference," said Lynda Murray, interim executive director of Ohio Library Council, which represents the 250 public library systems around the state.
"We are pleased," said John R. Leutz, a policy analyst with the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.
"We are pretty happy," said Ed Albright, a lobbyist for the Ohio Municipal League, which represents cities and villages throughout Ohio. "[City and village] revenues are down just like the state's."
The Ohio House and Senate ratified a package Wednesday that would eliminate the projected deficit in the state's two-year, $45 billion budget, a package that included a minor $10 million reduction to local government funds that go to municipalities, counties, townships and public libraries.
The budget-correction plan also includes allowing Ohio to join a multistate lottery, spending cuts, some tax changes, using money from the state's $1 billion budget stabilization account and borrowing money from the state's share of the national tobacco settlement.
Gov. Bob Taft has said he intends to sign the compromise budget plan.
Government funds: Provisions in the Senate-passed version of the budget-correction plan would have cut local government funds by 6 percent, or nearly $160 million, during the two-year budget period.
House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, had made saving the funds a priority in talks with Taft and Republicans who dominate the Senate, according to a House Republican leader.
"It was a tight balancing act," said state Rep. Stephen P. Buehrer of northwest Ohio, the No. 4 Republican in the House.
"Luckily, one of the priorities we were able to hang onto were the local government funds," Buehrer said.
Speaking on the House floor, state Rep. Charles Blasdel, an East Liverpool Republican, told fellow House members it would be irresponsible to take funds from local governments.
"Our local governments are already sharing in the pain," Blasdel said.
Even without major cuts to the local government funds, times are still lean for many local governments such as counties.
"Budgets are still tight," said Leutz.
"We still have absorbed a lot of cuts in state services and/or assistance," said Leutz.
Cuts: According to Leutz, among the cuts to state services sustained by counties are reductions in state reimbursements for public defenders and cuts to the Adult Parole Authority.
In at least 55 of Ohio's 88 counties, the APA assists courts with probation services and presentence investigations, Leutz said.
"Now, their role will be severely curtailed, Leutz said.
Avoiding major cuts to the local government funds will help, Leutz said.