COLUMBUS — Conservative House Republicans who refuse to pass a cigarette tax increase to balance the state's $44 billion budget will either need to change their minds or acquire several changes of clothes.

        Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, vowed Thursday to keep lawmakers in Columbus until they pass a $1.9 billion budget balancing bill that features a controversial 50-cent tax hike on a pack of cigarettes.

        Senate President Richard Finan, R-Evendale, also ordered senators to stick around, perhaps through Monday.

        “We're absolutely going to do that,” said Mr. Householder, weary from two marathon days of fruitless negotiations. “I think we're making some progress.”

        Several GOP lawmakers who helped stall the tax bill in a House committee Wednesday night stood firm again on Thursday, forcing a new round of negotiations today. The political stalemate is a tough test for Mr. Householder. The 10 to 15 Republican representatives who oppose the plan helped him take the House's top leadership spot in 2001.

        “I still think the speaker is conservative and would like to be with us,” said Rep. Timothy Grendell, R-Chesterland. “I think though, that the pressure is coming from the governor and the Senate that we need to do something now. That's where I disagree.”

        Mr. Grendell was joined by Reps. Bill Seitz, R-Green Township, and Tom Brinkman, R-Mount Lookout, who both said they would not support the budget bill as written.

        Mr. Brinkman said House leaders were bullying members, threatening them with the loss of committee seats and other privileges if they oppose the budget bill.

        “Screw them, I don't care,” Mr. Brinkman said. “I didn't come here to be on committees and do all this prestigious stuff. Taxpayers are being taxed too much and spending is out of control.”

        More diplomatic was Mr. Seitz, who said he was trying to work out a plan that didn't raise cigarette taxes by 50 cents.

        A $1.9 billion deficit is projected over the next 13 months.

        Gov. Bob Taft and the Ohio Senate back a plan that would increase the state's cigarette tax from 24 cents to 74 cents to help raise an extra $370 million in the fiscal year starting July 1. A new state tax on trust funds would raise an additional $119 million.

        The budget plan also would drain the state's $607 million rainy day fund, spend $50 million in end-of-year budget reserves and tap another $50 million in unclaimed lottery and commerce funds. It also takes $180 million in tobacco settlement funds.

        The bill would leave another $250 million in spending cuts up to the governor.

        Mr. Grendell said he won't vote for the plan unless the cigarette tax is revoked by June 30, 2003. He also wants a law that adjusts state income tax brackets every year to match inflation.

        Mr. Grendell and Mr. Brinkman said they also wanted assurances that Mr. Taft would not veto their two proposals. They suspect the governor plans to cut up to $100 million in state funds to cities, counties and townships.

        “I don't know we can trust anything the governor says unless he puts it in writing,” Mr. Brinkman said.

        Brian Hicks, Mr. Taft's chief of staff said late Thursday that the governor is unwilling to make the cigarette tax increase temporary, saying it would not only bring in more money but could also discourage smoking and reduce Medicaid costs.

        “This is a tough situation. These are tough, tough votes,” Mr. Hicks said. “We're trying to pick off a few (Democrat) votes.”

        There has been no indication any of the 40 Democrats in the House would support the plan.

        Mr. Hicks and Mr. Householder said they still hope to convince enough of the House's 59 Republican lawmakers to pass the plan.

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