Ohio balances budget with revolving funds

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Ohio balanced its state budget this year using "rotary funds," including ones aimed at preventing childhood blindness and encouraging organ donations.

Rotary funds are for a specific purpose and use money from fees or donations.

The administration of Gov. Ted Strickland transferred a total of $120 million from 70 funds to help fill a $1.9 billion gap in the budget for the two-year fiscal period ending June 30, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Strickland, a Democrat, said this week when the newspaper asked him about the $1.4 million taken from the Save Our Sight Fund that the money would be returned. A spokesman later said $1.3 million will also be restored to the Second Chance Trust Fund, a registry for organ, eye and tissue donations.

The governor said he did not realize the two funds were among those used to balance the budget. Both are funded by $1 donations made voluntarily by drivers renewing their licenses.

"It's the right thing to do," said Sherill K. Williams, president of Prevent Blindness Ohio. "The public expects state government to keep its promises, and this was an unfortunate situation. We're delighted the governor is going to correct it."