The State of Ohio is a weekly news program spotlighting the latest happenings at the Statehouse, in the Governor’s office, at the Ohio Supreme Court and throughout the Buckeye State. Award-winning host Karen Kasler presents viewers with unique analysis and thoughtful perspective on important issues of statewide interest through interviews with political leaders, newsmakers, experts and Ohio citizens. The State of Ohio is the only TV show to bring to Ohioans the latest news about taxes, voting, education and other critical matters from where it all happens -- Capitol Square.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Topics: Politics
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It was expected to be the most important speech Gov. Ted Strickland had ever delivered. But even without many details about his economic or education proposals, it turned out to be one of the biggest and farthest reaching State of the State speeches heard here at the Statehouse. Strickland outlined how he'll plug a $7.3 billion hole in the upcoming state budget, which he says he’ll do without raising taxes, but which will require state employees to, in Strickland’s words, endure a financial sacrifice. And Strickland spoke of continuing and expanding certain programs, including a public university tuition freeze, health insurance coverage to all Ohio kids, and restoring passenger train service between Ohio's three largest cities.

After all that, the governor was only half done. Then came his education reform proposal, a five point plan, phased in over eight years that he says will mean new courses like global awareness and life skills, a longer school year and longer school days, four-year residency programs for new teachers leading to a teaching license, more authority for districts to dismiss teachers for good cause, and a system by which the state to shut down districts that fail.

And Strickland says he wants to change the way public schools are paid for, lowering what taxpayers must contribute to their local district, eliminating so-called phantom revenue, and increasing the state’s share of funding for local districts to 55 percent.

Lawmakers who made it through the weather to hear the speech had a variety of reactions, including Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood), Rep. Bob Hagan (D-Youngstown), House Minority Leader Bill Batchelder (R-Medina), Sen. Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland), Sen. Keith Faber (R-Celina), Rep.Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard). And other experts weighed in, including Bill Phillis is with the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy in School Funding, Russ Harris with the Ohio Education Association and David Hansen is with the conservative Buckeye Institute. But some of the harshest words on the budget came from state auditor Mary Taylor.

And the day before the speech, some conservative lawmakers had a suggestion for the Governor - shrink the number of cabinet level positions to 10 or 11, a plan that had first been floated in 2004, when Republicans controlled all branches of government. They say it could save $1 billion dollars, and plan to propose it in both chambers soon.

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