Some critics blame Republican tax breaks for Ohio's $Billion budget shortfall

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http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/news-37/1201223389272020.xml&storylist=cleveland
1/24/2008, 8:04 p.m. EST
By STEPHEN MAJORS
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Tax cuts given to Ohio businesses and individuals as part of a 2005 tax reform package can be blamed for the state's projected budget shortfall, critics of the tax changes said Thursday.

Others took shots at increased spending on Medicaid, the federal-state program that help pays for health care for the needy, disabled and low-income families.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland announced Wednesday that projections for the current two-year budget show a shortfall ranging from $733 million to $1.9 billion by the end of June 2009, depending how the economy fares.

State agencies have been asked to find ways to cut spending...