By John Byczkowski
Enquirer staff writer

The Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce is buying lunch Wednesday for a handful of state legislators in Columbus, just to say "Thanks" and "Oh, by the way ..."

The chamber will thank the legislators for their work on past projects important to businesses in Southwest Ohio, and then talk up projects and issues important for the future, including replacing the Brent Spence Bridge, funding Third Frontier projects, reforming the tax system and reining in state spending.

The noon luncheon will be served in the atrium of the Statehouse in Columbus. Doug Moormann, the chamber's vice president for governmental affairs, said seven or eight legislators plan to attend. Each will be joined at lunch by a chamber member, who will talk up issues on the chamber's agenda.

The chamber members - about 50 for this trip - have also been given a "hot list" of issues to discuss with the legislators.

Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester, will be the luncheon speaker. The chamber group will also hear from Gov. Bob Taft and Bruce Johnson, director of the Department of Development. An official of the Office of Budget and Management will talk about the state's 2005 budget.

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E-mail johnb@enquirer.com