Some of Today's State News Headlines
Today is Wednesday March 19, 2008
Veterans scramble for campaign cash, anti-war group's backing
COLUMBUS (AP) - Veterans opposed to the war in Iraq are banging at Jon Soltz's door.
Soltz, co-founder and chairman of VoteVets.org, had to get creative this year to handle the barrage. His group, unveiled during the 2006 elections, is quickly becoming the fundraising hot spot for veterans running for Congress who believe America's military should be out of Iraq.
This week, Votevets.org is holding an online runoff for an extra $5,000 in campaign cash for one of seven candidates nationwide. The group raised $1.3 million in direct contributions in 2006, but simply can't afford to give all the interested candidates as much as they want, Soltz said.
Heavy interest has also prompted another strategy shift: VoteVets.org is no longer endorsing only veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as it did in 2006. Veterans of other conflicts - or who didn't serve in combat at all - are getting on the list.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Faith groups to help inmates being released from state prisons
COLUMBUS (AP) - Any assistance inmates can get before being released from prison is helpful and a bill now awaiting Gov. Ted Strickland's signature will bring faith-based groups and other volunteers into the mix, the state's prisons chief said Tuesday.
The help is needed more than ever because the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections must trim $74 million from its budget over the next 15 1/2 months, including $14 million over the next 3 1/2 months, because of an expected shortfall of at least $733 million in the budget year beginning in July.
The Ohio House passed the final bill last week and on Tuesday sent it to Strickland, who is expected to sign it, his spokesman Keith Dailey said. It sets up programs for the prisons department and the Ohio Department of Youth Services, which oversees prisons for juveniles.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Governor pulls request to expand lottery gaming
COLUMBUS (AP) - Republican lawmakers on a key panel said Tuesday they would block Gov. Ted Strickland's request to quickly allot money for a new video lottery game, leading the governor to temporarily pull the funding request.
The Ohio Lottery Commission was hoping the state Controlling Board on Monday would approve nearly $18 million for equipment to operate Keno, a video lottery game resembling bingo, at various locations such as taverns and restaurants. Strickland wanted the money approved quickly so the games could begin bringing in revenue to patch education department cuts following the projection of a statewide budget deficit.
But Republican lawmakers who are the majority on the board said they would oppose the Democratic governor's request. The four lawmakers, two from the House and two from the Senate, want public hearings on the proposal before voting on it.
They believe the measure should also be approved by a legislative panel that oversees changes to agency rules.
Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey said the governor wanted to give lawmakers time to address their concerns with the administration. The proposal still could be put up for another vote in the future.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
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