Ohio leaders want bonuses for veterans

Ohio leaders want bonuses for veterans

COLUMBUS — State leaders want to give a Christmas bonus to Ohio veterans, but they can’t agree on how to pay for it.

House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris, both Republicans, want to use existing state funds to pay for the bonuses. Husted said one possibility is the state’s rainy day fund, which currently has about $750 million.

But Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat, wants to pay for them the same way it’s been done in the past — through bonds.

The leaders will have to reach an agreement during the current lame-duck legislative session if the bonuses are to be paid in time for Christmas.

Tax reform law of 2005 to hurt Ohio’s next budget

COLUMBUS — A tax reform package passed by Republicans in 2005 has decreased the amount of revenue the state receives at a time when an economic downturn is already causing turmoil in the state budget.

But both Democratic and Republican state leaders say the reduction in state income taxes and elimination of the corporate franchise tax is vital to the state’s economic future.

Annual state revenue has dropped for three years in a row since 2006 — something that’s happened only three times in the 50 years ending in 2006.

The short-term pain caused by the economic downturn and the tax reform package will make crafting Ohio’s upcoming two-year budget the most challenging budgeting process in years.

Akron-Canton airport to start nonstops to D.C.

AKRON — US Airways officials says they’ve won a rare opening at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport for a nonstop flight to and from Akron-Canton Airport.

Landing and takeoff slots at National are restricted by the federal government and don’t often come open. Akron-Canton Airport officials have been trying to secure a slot for the last decade.

US Airways spokeswoman Kristie Van Auken said Wednesday that flights between Akron and Washington National are expected to begin by late January.

Flight times and fares will likely be announced by next week, and Van Auken said officials hope to schedule an outbound flight from Akron so that business travelers can get to Washington in time for daily meetings.

Cincinnati library ranked as busiest in the nation

CINCINNATI — The downtown branch of the Cincinnati/Hamilton County Public Library has been recognized as the busiest library building in the country.

It’s the fourth-straight year the branch has earned the ranking from the Public Library Association, which compared nearly 1,000 public libraries across the country and based its findings on 2007 circulation.

The Cincinnati branch announced the ranking Wednesday.

Officials say the main branch draws more than 100,000 people a month, and circulation is on pace to reach 4.7 million by the end of the year.

The entire Cincinnati/Hamilton County library system, including suburban branches, ranked 10th in the country with a circulation of 14.7 million.

Associated Press