Ohio consumer agency cuts staff amid lower funding

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s watchdog agency for utility customers has slashed its staff by about half and plans other cutbacks because of a big reduction in state funding.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the new state budget gives the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel $5.6 million for the current fiscal year, compared to $8.5 million in the last one.

The office has responded by laying off 30 employees and eliminating 10 open positions. It’s left with 37 full-time workers and five part-timers.

The counsel also is shutting down its call center, cutting outreach programs and will argue in far fewer cases before Ohio regulators.

An agency spokesman predicts the cutbacks will mean higher utility rates.

Lawmakers said much of the counsel’s work duplicates functions of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.