I've been under the weather with first a terrible stomach virus. I'm sure my illness was not brought on by the changing political climate in Ohio.
*** It appears that John Kasich, the governor elect, is already making policy decisions even though he has no power.
WLWT:
Ohio Gov.-elect John Kasich is putting the lottery commission's plans for slot machines at racetracks on hold.
A spokesman said Kasich has mixed emotions about the issue and wants to study the proposal....
Those of us who knew of the Kasich personality before this most recent campaign would like to warn Ohioans - - - get ready for a bumpy ride.
* The New Philadelphia Times-Reporter has an opinion piece that provides some hints of what Kasich has planned:
...We’ve been hearing a great deal in recent days from state lawmakers about what they plan to do in 2011, and we’re none too pleased by what they’re saying so far.
For instance, the Columbus Dispatch quotes state Sen. Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond – likely to be the next Senate president – as saying that Ohio school superintendents would be correct if they assume the state will cut school funding by 15 percent to 20 percent in the 2011-2012 budget. Gov.-elect John Kasich doesn’t have to submit his proposed budget to the General Assembly until March 15, so school officials will be left hanging until then, with no idea of how big a hit they will sustain.....
Education has always been a target of conservatives. They got theirs -- too bad about you.
Even when Kasich was in Congress, he proposed budget cuts that were harmful, unfair, and inappropriate to children, struggling families, college students and the working poor. Fifty-one percent of Ohioans voted against Kasich, but he won't acknowledge that in any form.