|
Nearly every state agency is taking a cut in Gov. John Kasich’s proposed budget. But no agency is taking a bigger hit than the office that advocates for residential utility customers. Janine Migden-Ostrander is the Ohio Consumers Counsel, and says she’s been told that her budget is being cut because her agency does many of the same services as those performed by state regulators on the Public Utilities Commission, which decides whether utilities can raise their rates or change their services.
Migden-Ostrander says if the cut stands, 50 people of the 75 who work at the OCC will be laid off. And she says since her budget comes from fees imposed on utilities, the cut doesn’t return money to help fill the state budget deficit, but instead will just go back to those utilities. You can see the full interview with Janine Migden-Ostrander on "The State of Ohio" this weekend on PBS stations and at the link on the left.. |
