Thursday, July 01, 1999
Taft makes last-minute review of $22.6B budget
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Bob Taft, though generally pleased with the tinkering done by lawmakers on his first two-year operating budget, worked to within hours of the midnight Wednesday deadline to find a few items to cut out of the $22.6 billion spending plan.
Aides confirmed that while Mr. Taft planned to use his line-item veto power, few substantive provisions would be touched. The new budget must be in place by July 1.
Mr. Taft planned to sign the budget Wednesday evening in his Statehouse office, without the hoopla that surrounded the signing of the $17.2 billion education budget a day earlier.
Mr. Taft said he picked a Columbus elementary school to sign the education budget, surrounded by lawmakers and state education officials, to emphasize the importance he places on Ohio's public schools and colleges.
The general operating budget is much more sweeping in scope, covering dozens of state agencies, boards and commissions ranging from the newly created Commission on African-American Males to the state prison system.
Overall, social welfare and health care programs through the Department of Human Services eat up about 65 percent of the budget.
With an eye toward the thousands of Ohioans whose three years of welfare eligibility is due to run out during the two years covered by the budget, lawmakers beefed up spending on food distribution programs, subsidized child care and health care programs for children, pregnant women and working families.
County: Stadiums need auditor
Officer in fatal shooting resigns
$145M Powerball fuels frenzy here
Homeless have young faces
More grandchildren living with their grandparents
Sons' legacy lives on in new organ donor law
Two tax relief proposals before city
Ex-Chiquita lawyer's plea deal results in probation
Prayers, not blame, in near drowning
Boy accused of rape in juvenile jail
Deliveryman saves a life, but one lost
Did judge seek help in brother's case?
School board stops on a dime
District fears $19M cut on inventory tax
Textbook example of charity
Blessid Union has fan in Cindy
Center offers care outside medical mainstream
Cincinnati's Century of Change
Era ends as Ripley's Alive! closes doors
GET TO IT
Aiding aged was second career for retiring nun
Buckle up, win chance at big bucks
City defends sting against 'nude interactive conduct'
Community center idea gets new life
Covington may look at day curfew
Cyanide cloud averted in Miami U. lab spill
Day camp lacks kids
Deerfield happy to see township protection bill pass
Expert says cancer blame misplaced
Fairfield's 'Carousel' a city hit
Hamilton police computerize prints
Kasich attacks business' breaks
Lawrenceburg signs deal on landmarks
Man gets prison for partly sinking Belle
Mental health agencies join to save funds
Murder defendant deemed fit for trial
New rates approved for Fountain Square garages
Pair arrested in robbery file suit against city, police and accusers
Public has say on Longbranch plan
Sharing van ride now a better deal
Spouse charged in stabbing
State lifting Silverton's fiscal watch
Taft makes last-minute review of $22.6B budget
Taxi driver charged in fatal crash
Tip leads police to drug arrests
TRISTATE DIGEST
