Gov. Ted Strickland has ordered state agencies to buy paper clips, airplane propellers and all other supplies as a group when possible, which could save up to $72 million a year.
It's Strickland's latest attempt to rein in spending and avoid further layoffs and cuts in government services because of a projected budget shortfall of at least $733 million over the next year.
State agencies spend $3.5 billion a year on the supplies and services they need to operate. Strickland plans to hire a chief procurement officer to coordinate purchasing. To save more money, he is inviting the state's colleges and local governments to join in when they can.
Strickland also on Wednesday signed an order setting a goal of 15 percent of state contracts going to minority-owned businesses. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)