Governor Strickland first praised educators for their work throughout the state and then emphasized the need to strengthen Ohio schools and individual education. Echoing a theme from his gubernatorial campaign, he spoke again of the need to end the state's heavy reliance on property taxes to fund public schools. But he indicated he’s putting off that action till next year.
Gov. Strickland: '09 will be the year that I will bring a package of reforms dealing with a lot of things, including the funding issue and I will take it to the legislature.
Strickland said if the legislature doesn't accept his plan, he will push to gather petitions to place it on the ballot. However, the governor hasn’t yet revealed specifics of the funding changes he has in mind. He said he will continue to discuss the issue and gather information through a series of regional meetings across the state.
Tasha Flournoy, 90.3.