COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As the ongoing debate about Ohio’s economy intensifies during the legislature's budgeting process, Ohio State University is hosting a conference focusing on the budget's impact on local government.
"Death by Deficit? Is the Future of Local Government Really All Bad?" is planned for Thursday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, the conference will be held at the university's Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive.
"We are receiving many questions related to the impact of Ohio’s budget woes on local government, infrastructure and related programs," said Stan Ernst, Ohio State University Extension outreach program leader for the department. "We thought this was a natural topic for our annual educational session about public policy and the economics behind it. We'll be looking at the economic challenges to local government as well as to state programs."
The program will interest local and state officials, organizations that work with or receive services from local government, and citizens interested in policy related to Ohio’s economy.
"Whether it’s jobs, Medicare, or other services, our speakers will discuss the overall economy and its trickle-down effects; local funding pressures and potential responses; and longer-run policy designed to improve the future of local economies," Ernst said.
Included on the program are Mark Partridge, Swank Chair in Rural-Urban Policy; Jon Honeck, director of Public Policy and Advocacy at The Center for Community Solutions; Rob Greenbaum, John Glenn School of Public Affairs; Ian Sheldon, Andersons Professor of International Trade; and Larry Long, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio.
Registration is $60, with discounts available for OSU employees and students. Registration is available online at http://www.regonline.com/osuaedeeconomicupdate2011. The fee includes lunch and materials. Deadline is Friday, April 15.
For more information, e-mail econograms@osu.edu.