Revival plan a possibility Taft states

by Philip Elliott and Amanda Iacone
THE POST

The Ohio University-led initiative to bring $8.5 million dollars to Southeast Ohio has not yet been included in this year's state budget, Ohio Gov. Robert Taft said yesterday. The governor was in Athens for a discussion on regional development.

"It's too early to tell (if the state's budget will include the initiative)," Taft said. "I can't say, 'Yes, it will be funded.'"

The Appalachian New Economy Partnership is a cooperation between higher education institutions, schools, businesses and local government in Southeast Ohio, according to a Board of Regents news release.

"The goal of the program is to bring these entities together to revitalize the economy and encourage the aspirations of kids to go to college," said Laura Massie from the Regents' press office.

The 2002 fiscal year budget recommendations from the Ohio Board of Regents include $2.5 million for the initiative, Massie said. The 2003 fiscal year budget will include $6 million.

The Board of Regents met yesterday at the College of Mt. Saint Joseph in Cincinnati to discuss their recommendations for the state's educational funding.

Taft said higher education in Southeast Ohio is important for the state's economic and social development. Students need to be more prepared for college so they can receive their degrees.

In addition to the education issues, Taft discussed natural gas prices and Issue 1, the Clean Ohio proposal, with local business leaders, politicians and university officials.

At the Governor's National Gas Summit in Columbus Wednesday, Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles announced natural gas prices would double this winter. The problem is not the overall supply of gas in the United States, Taft said. The United States has an ample supply.

But available resources are low because drilling stopped a few years ago to increase low gas prices for electricity, he said.

"The bad news is it's going to be a while - one to two years before prices go down," Taft said.

The key is to educate consumers about alternative suppliers when possible. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio provides programs for low-income clients such as Home Energy Assistance. Should the supply of gas increase in the future, the price would decrease, Taft said.

Taft also said he supports Issue One, Clean Ohio Act, which would allot funds to revitalize city economies, clean abandoned hazardous industrial sites and provide local initiatives for recreational parks. Issue One will be decided on Election Day on Nov. 7.

-Denis Flaschner contributed to this story