Strickland: Federal aid is a must

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Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (D-Lisbon)

By Marc Kovac

Strickland asked transportation officials to identify projects that are ‘shovel ready.’

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland continued his call for federal assistance for Ohio and other states facing budget deficits as the result of a declining economy.

In a conference call with labor leaders Wednesday, the governor reiterated the need for quick action on a federal stimulus package that includes funds for infrastructure improvements, education and services for the needy.

“The economists that I’m talking with increasingly share with me their concern that this situation could become deeper and could last longer than anyone would want to imagine,” Strickland told reporters. “So we are asking for an unprecedented response to an unprecedented set of circumstances. We have got to have this help, it must come from the federal government ... and it will require additional borrowing on the part of our federal government, and the deficit will increase.”

He added, “But I believe the president-elect in saying the greatest threat is in doing nothing and allowing this recession to become ever deeper and last no one knows for how long.”

Strickland spoke during a conference call by a coalition of labor and other groups calling itself the Campaign for Jobs and Economic Recovery Now, which is pushing for support for President-elect Barack Obama’s approach to economic stimulus.

The governor said he has asked state transportation officials to identify projects that are “shovel ready” and could move forward quickly if federal infrastructure funding is approved.

“We believe we have, with transportation and other infrastructure projects, at least a billion dollars worth of work that could begin... as quickly as possible,” he said.

But any federal stimulus needs to include additional funding for other services offered by states, including temporary commitments to health care and education, Strickland said.

“I continue to say to those who will listen that that kind of effort [providing funding for infrastructure projects] while worthy and helpful will not stave off the need for states to cut back on essential services to the point where individuals will be damaged,” he added.

mkovac@dixcom.com