Ohio businesses mad with Strickland budget proposal

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Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon)

COLUMBUS — Business groups lashed out at a proposal in Gov. Ted Strickland’s biennial budget that they say will cost retailers — and, ultimately consumers — millions of dollars.

“This is a hidden tax,” said John Mahaney Jr., president of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants. “You can call it anything you want. The merchants that have that $37 million per year now, they need it. And they’re going to get it.

“And the only way they can get it is to increase prices. The public €¦ will be paying,” Mahaney said today.

For the complete story, see the business section of Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.