Blackwell's power

Seemingly alone as a conservative in Ohio's centrist-left political alliance, Blackwell has a great influence in Ohio. By his frequent criticism of the establishiment and his proposals for voter-initiated ammedments, he has been cited as a great reason for cutting Ohio's budget.

As Jim Provance reports at the Toledo Blade Blackwell's threat that he would place on the ballot a voter-petitioned Constitutional Ammendment, which would limit Gov't spending increases, has made Gov. Taft skittish.

The ammendment works as follows: Barring an emergency declaration by the governor, government spending increases = the inflation rate + population growth adjustment.
In order for any other spending increases to take place
3/5 of the Senators
3/5 of House Reps
+ a majority of Ohio's voters at the polls would all have to agree.

Blackwell remarked on Taft's movement to get a comprimise

"We are involved in ongoing discussion with a broad number of people connected to the governor... The governor and I have not had an eyeball-to-eyeball discussion… It's very clear there is a rapidly closing window for all practical purposes to continue this discussion. A bunch of folks want to get this on the ballot by way of petition."

Taft's 2 year budget limits spending increases to 3.4%
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