By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
COLUMBUS — Ashtabula County’s representatives in Columbus expect the social programs they advocate to feel some financial pain in the two-year state budget that must be enacted next week.
State Sen. Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, and State Rep. Deborah Newcomb, D-Conneaut, agree senior citizen and human services agencies probably won’t escape the budgetary ax. How deep the cut is still unknown, they said.
“Nothing is off the table,” Cafaro said.
A joint committee of state lawmakers is meeting this morning to help iron out the framework of a budget, which must be approved by Tuesday. Barring complications, the committee is expected to recommend a budget that could get a House and Senate vote Monday or possibly Tuesday.
Newcomb said she hopes program that deal directly with Ohioans’ medical and social needs, including programs for children and the elderly, are treated kindly. “But I think there will be reductions in all programs,” she said.
Cafaro’s priorities are similar, and she has similar fears. “At this point almost every program may be touched,” she said.
Given the current economy, however, cuts are preferable to tax increases. Both oppose tax hikes to shave a budget deficit estimated around $3.2 billion.
“Raising taxes would be a horrible thing to do,” Newcomb said.
Cafaro agreed.
“I’m not in favor of increasing taxes,” she said. “All of us share a cost burden.”
Libraries have howled over sizable cuts in their budgets suggested by Gov. Ted Strickland as one way to trim the shortfall. Cafaro said she has received many calls about the libraries’ plight.
“I don’t support a significant reduction (in library funding),” she said. “They are an important resource.”
Strickland also caused a buzz when he recommended slot machines be installed at Ohio’s race tracks. The machines would raise many millions for the state coffers, he said.
Newcomb said the slot machine idea has received good reviews among her constituents.
“I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback in our district,” she said. “I don’t get a lot of objections in our area.”
Cafaro indicated slot machines may be the best alternative. “I prefer video lottery terminals over increasing taxes,” she said.
Strickland’s ideas that are generating so much comment are meant to be a springboard for discussion, Cafaro said.
“No decisions have been made,” she said. “It’s important to realize they’re a starting point for conversation.”
