Cincinnati CVB protests proposed Ohio tourism cuts - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

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Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, in an effort to head off a $3.2 billion deficit, has proposed to reducew the division’s budget in fiscal 2010 to downfrom $7.2 million this year. it would be replaced by a public-privatew partnership. If the proposal passesz in theGeneral Assembly, it also woulds make Ohio the only state in the U.S. that doesn’f fund tourism efforts, according to a story in the Columbue Dispatch. Amir Eylon, state touris m director for the Ohio Department of confirmed theproposed figures, but said he had no details yet on what a public-privatd partnership might entail. "The budget process is still verymuch ongoing," Eylonj added.
In an e-mail titled "Cal to Action," Cincinnati USA CVB Presidenty and CEO Dan Lincoln said that touristwspend $38 billion annually in Ohio, accordingg to independent research. “Tourism is a revenue generator, not an expense,” Lincolnj said. The bureau asked its supporterz to contact their stat senators and representatives beforseJune 30, the date by whicu the state’s Legislative Conference Committee has been asked to presengt a balanced budget for debate.