COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the national economy continues to deteriorate, Ohio's governor is ordering $640 million in budget adjustments maintain a balanced budget.
Gov. Ted Strickland's office announced Friday that he is asking for a 5.75 percent cut across the board of state agency spending, with a few exemptions that will result in $180.5 million less being spent by state agencies through June 30, 2009, NBC 4's Mike Bowersock reported.
There will be another $460 million shortfall remaining that will be made up through Medicaid spending adjustment and various cash management strategies.
The Department of Education will have to make about $30.4 million in cuts, followed by the Department of Mental Health at $30 million.
The Board of Regents is looking at a $24.8 million cut, but there are several agencies in higher education that are exempt.
Other areas facing cuts include the Department of Mental Retardation with $19 million in cuts, the Department of Aging with $10.6 million in cuts and the Ohio Department of Transportation with a $1.1 million cut.
Earlier this month, Strickland compiled a worst-case budget document that envisions cuts as high as 25 percent to state agencies.
Strickland, who is pushing Congress for federal aid to states, says he created the scenario to show how bad things could be without help from Washington.
Ohio faces a budget deficit of as much as $7 billion next year and in 2011.
MORE DETAIL: Click Here To Read More About The Worse-Case Scenario
Specific line items fully exempted include: Department of Education line items for foundation funding, pupil transportation, gifted pupil program, special education enhancements and career/technical education enhancements; Board of Regents line items for OCOG, OIG, SSI, Academic Scholarships, Central State Supplement, Shawnee State Supplement, and capital component; Ohio Department of Job and Family Services line items for Medicare Part D, TANF and Child Care maintenance of effort, and Disability Financial Assistance; Expositions line item for Junior Fair Subsidy; all GRF line items within the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction; all GRF line items within the Department of Youth Services; Ballot Board advertising reimbursement; all line items within the Department of Veterans’ Services; line items for mandate assistance and ballot advertising costs; debt service line items; line items related to tax relief; several boards and commissions; disability pension and survivor funds administered by the Treasurer of State; and all GRF line items for the legislative and judicial agencies.
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