Lawmakers fail to compromise; Interim budget to pass this week instead

June 29, 2009 (updated June 30 and July 2, 2009) - The Ohio General Assembly had anticipated resolving budget differences over the weekend, but the House and Senate failed to compromise.

Since Ohio will be without a new two-year budget on July 1, lawmakers passed a one-week interim budget to end July 7. And, just in case an agreement can’t be reached in time, the House introduced another bill that would extend the interim budget through July 14.

"House Democrats and Gov. Strickland have offered difficult, but needed solutions to address the $3.2 billion budget shortfall," Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, said in a statement. "Since the Senate does not agree with our approach, they have a responsibility to come forward with an alternative plan to balance the budget. So far, they have failed to do so.”

House Democrats will meet on July 2 to discuss what an additional $1billion in cuts would mean to state services. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans will meet on Thursday to evaluate Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposal to allow electronic slot machines at Ohio race tracks to generate new revenue.

Keep writing and calling your legislators this week. Urge them to prevent further cuts to vital public services, oppose hits to the pension fund, and seek new revenue sources.

See Related

State Senate Republicans plan hearings on slot machines (Columbus Dispatch, July 1, 2009)

Stalemate continues as interim budget is signed (Columbus Dispatch, July 1, 2009)

With slots debate at impasse, legislators plan interim budget (Columbus Dispatch, June 29, 2009)

What's at Stake? Continue calling, writing state legislators on state budget cuts

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