Gov. Strickland responds to Sen. Voinovich criticism

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland has responded to criticism about his budget decisions from U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, saying the responsibility for governing rests with him.

Strickland said today that he reluctantly chose slot machines over raising taxes to balance the budget because he felt it was the right thing to do.

He says that Voinovich, a Republican, opposed federal stimulus dollars that have improved budget conditions beyond what they would have been.

On Thursday, Voinovich criticized Strickland for choosing a gambling expansion over taxes during a fiery news conference announcing a new lawsuit against the slots plan.

Voinovich raised taxes when he was governor in 1992. But Strickland said current economic conditions are considerably worse than they were then.