COLUMBUS — Senate lawmakers hope to restore some money for social-service programs that was lost when Gov. Bob Taft vetoed portions of the $45 billion state budget.

        The Senate Finance Committee will consider restoring more than $20 million in funding to the programs. Lawmakers drafting the two-year budget relied on surplus federal welfare dollars to fund the programs.

        Mr. Taft said he vetoed the use of federal dollars for those programs out of concern the money might be needed if the economy worsens and if future federal funding is reduced.

        The GOP-controlled finance committee is debating a bill to correct largely technical errors in the budget. However, Republican lawmakers intend to propose the bill include funding lost to Taft vetoes, said Senate Finance Chairman Doug White, a Manchester Republican.

        Under consideration:

        • $4.5 million in 2003 for the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks.

        • $600,000 in 2003 for the Ohio Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs.

        • $7.5 million in 2003 to help public children's services associations place violent children and children who have serious mental illness because of physical abuse.

        • $5.2 million in 2002 and $6.5 million in 2003 in emergency housing assistance, including down payments and rental payments, for poor Ohioans.

        “This is about delivering services to the most vulnerable populations in our state — at-risk families, their children, the elderly, the disabled,” said Lisa Hamler-Podolski, executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks.

        The committee also will consider a provision to increase the Medicaid reimbursement formula to nursing homes by $1.50 per bed per day. Mr. Taft vetoed the provision, saying the state already adequately reimburses nursing homes.

        A Taft spokesman said “significant progress” has been made between the governor and lawmakers in funding the housing assistance and the nursing home provision. However, “significant distance” remains over the other items, Taft spokesman Kevin Kellems said.

        “The administration's position remains consistent with the veto message, which indicated that it would be irresponsible to promise dollars that are not in the president's budget and we don't yet know with certainty will be there in the future,” Mr. Kellems said.

        Democrats plan to push to add funding for higher education and programs that help the elderly to live at home.

        Democrats also want the state to spend more money on lifeguards at state beaches and pools, noting four drownings this season.

        Jim Lynch, Department of Natural Resources spokesman, said two of those accidents, both involving children, were related to beach or pool safety. The state is having a difficult time because of a lifeguard shortage.

Alliance looks to doctors for savings
New data lift spirits of school officials
CPS could rise in state categories
Key measure of city's stability is lagging
Restaurants to stay open for fests
Community searches for new direction
Luken may get GOP foe after all
Artists paint the town red
Safety plan formed for road where youths died
Article focuses on local growth
Bank robber held door for customer
2000 census undercounted gays, advocacy groups contend
Court hears expansion foes
Covington agrees on site for jai
Death of boy stumps authorities
Farmers market joins Dry Ridge outlet stores
Ford gives Ali $5 million
Highlands Middle School panel OKs dress code
Houseguest: Man told how he would kill wife
Human services director resigns
Man accused in fatal beating of girlfriend
Man gets 16 years for spraying acid on 4 people during argument
Mason hires contractors for new municipal center
Mound project transfer questioned
Opposition voiced to YMCA in park
Oxy makers sued for woman's death
Panel votes not to require offering uninsured motorist coverage
CROWLEY: Politics
Senate looks to restore funding vetoed by Taft
Stamps revisit baseball's classic fields
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report