It appears that Ohio legislators will have another week to work on the state budget. We urge them to use the time wisely. By that we mean that they should continue to reject new taxes and should find a way to overrule Gov. Ted Strickland on legalized gambling.
State law requires that a spending plan be in place by July 1, the beginning of the two years covered by the current budget process. Fortunately, it does not specify that the budget must cover the entire two years.
Still unable to come to agreement on the full two-year, $54 billion spending plan, lawmakers on Monday were discussing passage of an interim budget. It would carry the state through the next week, requiring that a complete budget be in place by July 7.
Strickland's proposal to expand legalized gambling seems to be the primary reason for delay. We don't blame lawmakers for seeking more time; it was only about 10 days ago that the governor dropped his gambling bombshell. After months of insisting that he believes any expansion of gambling should be approved by Ohio voters, Strickland said he plans to allow the Lottery Commission to install slot machines at racetracks.
A substantial number of legislators disagree with him. They maintain that voter approval is necessary.
But rejecting the governor's plan is not a simple matter. He used it to plug a gap of about $933 million in the budget proposal. If members of the General Assembly block Strickland - as they should - they will have to find $933 million more in budget cuts to make up for loss of gambling revenue.
That will not be easy. Substantial, controversial cuts in spending are included in the Strickland budget plan. Reportedly, General Assembly members have found ways to ease some of the spending cut pain included in the governor's recommendation.
We hope so. And, again, we urge lawmakers to find a way to stop Stricklands plan to expand legalized gambling - and to reject new taxes.