At some point the 251 youths laid off temporarily from summer jobs in Jefferson County will be eligible to vote. When they do, we hope they remember the sorry fiasco that has cost them their paychecks for a few days.
Ohio state government is operating on interim budgets because Gov. Ted Strickland and legislators have not been able to agree on a permanent spending plan for the current two-year fiscal period. Lack of a two-year budget has caused problems all over the state - primarily for school districts and local government entities. They have not been able to make long-term spending plans of their own. In some cases, they are not able to meet current expenses.
That is why the Jefferson County Community Action Council laid off 251 youth workers, along with 10 adult mentors and three caseworkers this week.
Mike McGlumphy, who directs the youth worker program, explained that the layoffs were because "the state is now operating on a weekly budget that does not allow us to draw down enough money to meet the youth worker program."
Once a permanent two-year budget is adopted, the workers will be rehired, McGlumphy said earlier in the week.
By Wednesday, someone in Columbus had come to his senses. McGlumphy was notified that funds would be available for the program. Workers were expected to return to their jobs, perhaps this week.
Politics as usual in Columbus is hurting many Ohioans. Many of the 251 young people laid off temporarily in Jefferson County really need the money they earn from those summer jobs.
A balanced, prudent, honest budget needs to be passed before other Ohioans suffer. In the meantime, common sense needs to be used in handing out funds for programs such as the summer jobs project.