Northeast OH officials say budget cuts go too far

COLUMBUS, May 19, 2011 (AP): Several northeast Ohio officials have called on state lawmakers to blunt the impact they say their communities will feel as a result of cuts to their funding in the $55.6 billion state budget plan.

Local governments are in line for a 33 percent cut in general revenue under the two-year spending proposal.

The Senate Finance Committee is holding hearings about the legislation.

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald on Thursday told the panel that the county that includes Cleveland would be forced to reduce services, lay off employees or raise taxes.

Valarie McCall—the Cleveland mayor's chief of governmental affairs—says the city anticipates losing $35.7 million under the proposed budget.

The two were among more than 70 witnesses signed up to testify before the legislative panel.

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