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Ohio Democrats Propose Public Record Changes In Budget
By: Associated Press
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Democratic state lawmakers are seeking to put their own touch on Republican Gov. John Kasich's midterm budget.
House Democrats on Wednesday proposed requiring the Legislature to broadcast its committee hearings. Currently, recording is left up to the committee chair.
Among other changes, the Democrats want to require public records to be turned over in 20 days. Their plan also would create an independent, public-records ombudsman to mediate disputes over state records.
The governor's proposal makes sweeping tax and education changes and streamlines government services for jobseekers and the poor.
A spokesman for House Republicans accused Democrats of "posturing" and said they did not seek the changes when they were in the majority. Spokesman Mike Dittoe says under GOP House leadership, state budget hearings have been filmed and broadcast live.