Ohio General Assembly Unanimous budget

[Padfoot]

The Ohio General Assembly voted 129-1 to pass the compromise two-year state operating budget.  This unprecedented unity can be attributed to the great co-operation between Gov. Strickland and the majority leaders in the House and Senate.  The governor is even preparing to take a statewide victory lap to celebrate the event over the next two days.  This will only serve to increase his popularity and further shift Ohio towards the Democrats in 2008.

[Conan]

Go Governor Strickland! Making a good brand name of democrats. It's too bad he isn't a bit younger.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

The Ohio General Assembly voted 129-1 to pass the compromise two-year state operating budget.  This unprecedented unity can be attributed to the great co-operation between Gov. Strickland and the majority leaders in the House and Senate.  The governor is even preparing to take a statewide victory lap to celebrate the event over the next two days.  This will only serve to increase his popularity and further shift Ohio towards the Democrats in 2008.

And what better way to continue the incredibly popular and well-working bipartisanship by sweeping out all the Republicans in the legislature so Democrats can bring partisanship back to Ohio!

Uh....huh.

[muon2]

The Ohio General Assembly voted 129-1 to pass the compromise two-year state operating budget.  This unprecedented unity can be attributed to the great co-operation between Gov. Strickland and the majority leaders in the House and Senate.  The governor is even preparing to take a statewide victory lap to celebrate the event over the next two days.  This will only serve to increase his popularity and further shift Ohio towards the Democrats in 2008.

And what better way to continue the incredibly popular and well-working bipartisanship by sweeping out all the Republicans in the legislature so Democrats can bring partisanship back to Ohio!

Uh....huh.

Just look at IL, where the Gov called a special session to address the budget since the Democrat-led House and Senate could reach no agreement on annual plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

[Padfoot]

Follow up, We have actual hugs being exchanged between the Governor and Republican leaders in the GA.  I am not joking.  There was even a picture on the front page of the Columbus Dispatch yesterday.  I think there are a lot of Ohioans with their jaws on the floor right now.  After so many years of bitterness in Columbus it seems like people are actually starting to get along!  Keep up the love Gov. Strickland.

[Gabu]

Who was the one single jackass who prevented it from being completely unanimous?

[Joe Republic]

I for one am very satisfied with Governor Strickland, as well as the current state of the government.  Split control of the executive and the legislature is what I was hoping for, and it appears to be paying off.

Of course, compared to Strickland's predecessor, a three-legged dog with a very upset stomach would still be a vast improvement.

[Padfoot]

Who was the one single jackass who prevented it from being completely unanimous?

It was Republican Representative Diana Fessler.  Rep. Fessler adamantly opposed the funding for 5 new science focused high schools called STEM schools.  She called them "charter schools on steroids."  Ironically it is actually the Republican House Speaker who is promoting STEM schools so Rep. Fessler is in opposition to her own party on this one.