State agencies look to Ohio board to regain funds

COLUMBUS (AP) — State agencies are finding a way around Ohio lawmakers’ budgets cuts, to the chagrin of Republican critics.

To restore some funding, state administrators are turning to the seven-member state Controlling Board, which signs off on hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts and adjustments.

Republican critics say agencies are using the Democrat-controlled board to get around limits placed by the Legislature in the $50.5 billion state budget.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Ted Strickland says the Controlling Board actions restores money the Democratic governor sought in his executive budget.

Spokeswoman Allison Kolodziej says the governor feels the restored levels are necessary to effectively operate agencies.