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, July 3, 2009

Topics: Economy, Politics
Short URL  Share Leave a Comment

Just days after the budget deadline, Ohio is in a state it hasn’t seen in nearly two decades. And the stalemate over the state budget shows no signs of breaking.

The Senate and House both passed a one-week interim budget this week, after it became clear that there would be no quick resolution in the battle between Gov. Ted Strickland and Senate Republicans over the governor’s plan to allow for electronic slot machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks. So with no budget to talk about or vote on, that’s left time for both sides in this skirmish to make their cases to the media.

Among those left in limbo by the impasse are people who work for and benefit from programs that are funded by state dollars. Advocates for safety net services are blitzing the broadcast airwaves this weekend with an ad asking Ohioans to back their idea of a tax increase over more spending cuts.

So the Statehouse shuts down for the Independence Day weekend with freedom from this crisis in sight. Here to talk more about it are the reporters from the Statehouse News Bureau, Bill Cohen and Jo Ingles.

The state’s budget battle, and the economic crisis that helped spark it, aren’t funny to many Ohioans who’ve lost their jobs, their homes and their lifestyles. But there are things in these difficult times and in the political response to them that are so surreal, so strange, and so extreme that they’re almost laughable. And those are the kinds of things that editorial cartoonists seize as fodder for their daily work. One of those cartoonists is Jeff Stahler, who creates cartoons for the Columbus Dispatch and USA Today, and also draws the five-day-a week single panel comic strip “Moderately Confused”. He talks about how he comes up with his cartoons, and how they’ve earned him fans and trouble.

Leave a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to ideastream's discussion rules and terms of use. Name:

Email:

Comment:

Please enter the word you see in the image below:

Send questions and comments to kkasler@statehousenews.org.