BUDGET TRAINING - DAY 1  
OBM Director: Money savings explored
Strickland cabinet members address OCSEA leadership at budget training

March 8, 2007 - One week before the full budget is due out, OCSEA leaders gathered at union headquarters for a March 8 - 9 budget training. The crowd of more than 100 subordinate body officers and activists today also heard from budget experts and a state representative.

Pari Sabety, the new Director of the Office of Budget and management said her office worked with the governor to try to redirect spending and re-balance budgets based on priorities outlined in agencies’ transition documents. Sabety also assured union activists that they would be looking into a number of money savings suggestions brought forward by OCSEA, including looking at lopsided management structures like in DRC food service.

Union leaders also asked Sabety about the current state and future of OAKS, the new payroll and budgeting system. Sabety said that the governor is very aware that OAKS is at a critical point. “We understand that OAKS is in triage and on a gurney,” she said. “It is a top priority for us.”

She also called on bargaining unit employees in IT to get more involved in OAKS. “We want strong users in agencies who are telling us what it should look like,” she said. “We want to actively recruit them.”

Activists in DAS are concerned about moving the Office of Information Technology to OBM, something that Sabety confirmed was being discussed. When questioned when the union would be involved in discussions, Sabety assured the crowd that the union will be involved in making decisions about this move, but that with the priorities and timeframe around the budget, not all questions are adequately being answered.

Another member asked Sabety about the Governor’s position on selling off state assets like the Lottery or Turnpike. Sabety said that the governor looks at proposals such as these then they make good business sense. So far, according to Sabety, none of those proposals — including the Lottery — have made good business sense.

See Related

Website of the Ohio Office of Budget and Management

Training Day 1 - Tax Commissioner Rich Levin addressed OCSEA leaders

Training Day 1 - Rep. Scott Oelslager talks to leaders about talking to legislators

Training Day 1 - Senior Policy Analyst, John Corlett describes budget process

Training Day 2 - Speakers talk messaging, impact of federal cuts

Photo Gallery - Check out photos of speakers and leaders