The Ohio House passed the plan as part of the new state budget late Wednesday.

Then Strickland received word of an endorsement from the Ohio School Boards Association.

In a written statement, the governor welcomed the endorsement.

“Our school board members serve important roles as the critical link between our school districts and local communities. I am grateful for the support of OSBA members and their leadership,” Strickland said.

The endorsement came as a result of an OSBA board vote.

Richard Lewis, OSBA Executive Director, thanked the governor and lawmakers for making them a part of the discussion process.

“It is a difficult task during these hard economic times, but this budget is a step toward providing a high-quality education for every Ohio child, regardless of where they live,” Lewis said.

The announcement of the OSBA support came as the budget bill moved from the House to the Senate.

Republicans in the House and Senate have been critical of the Strickland plan for its reliance on one-time stimulus money from the federal government.

Rep. Seth Morgan, R-Huber Heights, repeatedly said it would set the stage for either a tax increase or major spending cuts in the next budget.

“If we thought this budget was difficult, the high spending and declining revenue estimates have created a hole for the next biennium that will likely exceed $4 billion and are as high as $8 billion in some estimates,” Morgan said.

Senate President Bill Harris promised a fair hearing of the Strickland plan.

“Our primary focus will be to prevent the need for a tax increase two years from now; to preserve the ability of Ohio families to have quality choices when it comes to education and health care, and to continue our efforts to make Ohio more attractive for growing jobs and revitalizing our economy,” Harris said.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com