COLUMBUS — House Speaker Larry Householder on Friday warned Gov. Bob Taft that a plan to provide Ohioans a two-day sales tax holiday is “non-negotiable.”

Householder

        Mr. Householder announced the sales tax holiday Monday as part of the House GOP's budget plan. Mr. Taft's proposal to bridge a $1.5 billion budget deficit, released two weeks ago, did not include the holiday.

        “The enactment of the sales tax holiday for Ohio consumers is non-negotiable by House Republicans,” Mr. Householder said in a letter sent to fellow Republican Taft late Friday afternoon.

        The House won't support the budget plan if the holiday is removed, Mr. Householder said.

        The cost of the holiday, now proposed for late January, is unclear. Mr. Householder estimates it at $27 million, while the Legislative Service Commission, a nonpartisan budget office, says it will cost $40 million.

Police officer found not guilty
Reaction is mix of relief, outrage
Police expand complaint process
Battles for benches break tradition
Fuller gambles on single TV ad
Loveland could amend charter
Methodist church also a haven
Next school board faces big challenge
Seafood Fest will be a 2-way
Surgery lets baby breathe normally
Tristate A.M. Report
Voters decide system's future
MCNUTT: Neighborhoods
SAMPLES: Bilingual kids
Bond issue for schools would bring state money
Butler, Warren at odds on site
Fairfield confronts crossroads
New faces in Mill Creek area
Prosecutors finish case against dad
School candidates list priorities
Top court to rethink funding
Transport tax a balancing act
Three up for Mason board
Householder firm on Ohio tax holiday
Officer charged in Cleveland road rage case
Ohio post offices checked for anthrax
Kentucky News Briefs
First day for Murray State president
Guard called out to help fight forest fires
Historic brick house in Lincoln Co. to be restored
Kenton Co. GOP plans fund-raiser
Louisville detective facing DUI charge
Man faces charges in Covington stabbing
Open sites to strip clubs, Callery says
Pipeline drilling may begin
State license board wants power to investigate doctors
Three injured in bar fight; man held