Gov. John Kasich warns state spending will tighten as revenues fall

[TexasTowelie]

DUBLIN, Ohio--Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Wednesday that the next state budget will be "tight" following lower-than-anticipated state revenues.

"There's not going to be a lot of growth in any [state] program," Kasich told reporters in suburban Columbus. "It's going to be tight. There's not going to be an ability to give significant percentage increases."

At the same time, the Columbus-area Republican vowed there will be "no net tax increases." In previous budgets, Kasich has successfully pushed to cut state income taxes while raising the sales tax rate. He also has sought to increase taxes on oil and gas drilling, though state lawmakers have so far resisted the idea.

Kasich took a shot at his predecessor, Democrat Ted Strickland, whom Kasich has often accused of leaving the state's finances in a mess.

Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2016/11/gov_john_kasich_warns_state_sp.html