COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State lawmakers are at odds over spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars for additional social services.
A committee in the Democratic-controlled Ohio House voted Tuesday morning to boost financing for child and elderly abuse services, along with food banks -- to a total of $91 million.
While Democrats say Ohioans are in desperate need of funding, many Republicans say the state is spread thin and doesn't have the money for the additional millions.
"I'm not against the food bank funding, but in the context of the big picture, it is a promise that may not be there at the end of the day," says Republican State Rep. Ron Amstutz.
Amstutz says Democrats are spending at an unsustainable rate, using federal stimulus funding to avoid deep cuts now, that may take away options in the future.
But Democrat State Rep. Dan Stewart says Democrats have tried to balance optimism with fiscal responsibility.
"(The) economy continues to change and sometimes adjustments need to be made, but we had to make sure that we prioritize the most important thing, moving job creation forward, freezing college tuition, making sure we are protecting those vulnerable," Stewart says.
Food banks have seen demand rise 25 percent as the economy has worsened, while food costs have increased 25 percent.
Amstutz says lawmakers should be conservative in budgeting to make sure the money is there when it comes time to pay.
But, Stewart says Democrats know the state is required to have a balanced budget and believes there may be more money coming from Washington to help ease the pain.
The House is controlled by Democrats and the Senate is controlled by Republicans. While both will pass budgets, both sides will have to agree on a compromise by July 1.
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