GOP lawmakers and health care reform advocates are promoting their ideas to fix the state budget, one day before Gov. Ted Strickland delivers his State of the State speech.
Republicans on Tuesday presented a proposal to cut the number of state agencies in half and save $1 billion over two years. Health care advocates say reform is desperately needed because of the flagging economy.
Strickland, a Democrat, is working on a budget plan that addresses a projected $7 billion budget deficit over the next two years.
Republicans say state government runs on an inefficient, outdated model that hasn't kept pace with modern times. They want to eliminate duplication and cut the number of state agencies from 24 to 10. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)