State legislature fails to pass final budget

Members of the Mahoning Valley’s delegation to the state Legislature say they aren’t happy about many of the governor’s recommendations to cut spending by $2.43 billion, but see no alternatives.

The Valley Democrats also blame the Republican majority in the Senate for rejecting Gov. Ted Strickland’s recommendation to place electronic slot machines at the state’s seven race tracks without coming up with their own plan to increase state revenue. The slot machine proposal, Strickland said, would raise $933 million during the first two years of the state’s two-year budget.

“We’re in an unfortunate situation,” said Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd.

The state is facing a deficit of at least $3.2 billion.

The legalized gambling proposal held up approval today of the state’s budget.

Instead, the Senate approved an interim budget until July 7 with the Democratic-controlled House expected to give its approval to the interim budget Tuesday. This is the first time since 1991 that the state has failed to pass a budget.

The slot machines “are far superior to even more severe cuts or increased taxes,” Cafaro said. “I’d be open to [slot machines] in bowling alleys and bars, but I don’t know if there’s support in the Senate.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com