Carey adds budget amendments for Lake Hope, soil and water districts
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As part of the Ohio Senate’s proposal to fix a projected shortfall in the state budget, State Senator John Carey (R-Wellston) worked to include three important amendments to restore funding for projects and services in the 17th Senate District.
The first provision would require the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to repay the $5 million insurance settlement intended for rebuilding the lodge at Lake Hope State Park and commence construction of the facility by December 1, 2010. It was reported earlier this month that officials at ODNR diverted nearly all of these funds to help pay for operations at other state parks over the next two years.
“For decades, the Lake Hope lodge was an important gathering spot for local residents and a popular attraction for park visitors from across Ohio and surrounding states,” said Carey. “It is critical to Vinton County’s economy and tourism in our region that reconstruction of the facility begins in a timely manner.”
Sen. Carey also worked to include an amendment in the Senate proposal that would earmark 50 cents of a current $1 fee on tire purchases to restore much-needed resources for soil and water conservation districts. These districts work with farmers to help prevent soil erosion and manage water supplies.
In addition, Sen. Carey added language to the Senate budget fix to make available $7 million for mental health services, which were accounted for in the budget but currently cannot be released due to a drafting error.
Sen. Carey explained that Governor Strickland has, at this point, refused to consider these amendments as part of the Senate proposal.
“I am hopeful that the Governor will eventually understand that this is good policy for the state and engage in careful consideration of these important amendments,” said Carey.
Last week, Senate Republicans unveiled a plan to help fix an $851 million shortfall in the state budget after Governor Strickland’s plan to place video lottery terminals at Ohio’s horse tracks was delayed indefinitely by legal challenges. The Governor has proposed postponing the phase-in of the final year of a 21-percent, five-year income tax cut that the General Assembly enacted in 2005 in order to plug this hole.
After lengthy discussions, senators developed an alternative proposal that suspends only a portion of the income tax reduction, allowing Ohioans to still keep $280 million of the tax cut they were promised. In addition, it includes a number of other measures to not only help fix the short-term budget gap but work to address some of the long-term budget problems facing our state.
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The first provision would require the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to repay the $5 million insurance settlement intended for rebuilding the lodge at Lake Hope State Park and commence construction of the facility by December 1, 2010. It was reported earlier this month that officials at ODNR diverted nearly all of these funds to help pay for operations at other state parks over the next two years.
“For decades, the Lake Hope lodge was an important gathering spot for local residents and a popular attraction for park visitors from across Ohio and surrounding states,” said Carey. “It is critical to Vinton County’s economy and tourism in our region that reconstruction of the facility begins in a timely manner.”
Sen. Carey also worked to include an amendment in the Senate proposal that would earmark 50 cents of a current $1 fee on tire purchases to restore much-needed resources for soil and water conservation districts. These districts work with farmers to help prevent soil erosion and manage water supplies.
In addition, Sen. Carey added language to the Senate budget fix to make available $7 million for mental health services, which were accounted for in the budget but currently cannot be released due to a drafting error.
Sen. Carey explained that Governor Strickland has, at this point, refused to consider these amendments as part of the Senate proposal.
“I am hopeful that the Governor will eventually understand that this is good policy for the state and engage in careful consideration of these important amendments,” said Carey.
Last week, Senate Republicans unveiled a plan to help fix an $851 million shortfall in the state budget after Governor Strickland’s plan to place video lottery terminals at Ohio’s horse tracks was delayed indefinitely by legal challenges. The Governor has proposed postponing the phase-in of the final year of a 21-percent, five-year income tax cut that the General Assembly enacted in 2005 in order to plug this hole.
After lengthy discussions, senators developed an alternative proposal that suspends only a portion of the income tax reduction, allowing Ohioans to still keep $280 million of the tax cut they were promised. In addition, it includes a number of other measures to not only help fix the short-term budget gap but work to address some of the long-term budget problems facing our state.
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