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Conservative Group Warns Of "Ridiculous" Requests In Capital Improvements Budget

WCBE 90.5FM | By Ohio Public Radio

Published March 5, 2016 at 3:23 AM EST

A conservative-leaning think tank has issued a list of what it calls "ridiculous" requests from local communities in the state's capital improvements budget proposal. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.

The Buckeye Institute’s Dennis Caucheron says Ohio taxpayers shouldn’t pay for displays and a theatre at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

“There’s no reason why they should get millions of dollars every year from taxpayers. They should go to Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna, any of the other members to get it. We describe the Rock Hall as sort of like an aging rock legend that’s addicted to taxpayer money.”

The Buckeye Institute ranked the Rock Hall’s $2 million ask as the most ridiculous request sent to state lawmakers. Others included money for an ice rink for the Bowling Green Curling Club, a 270 foot tall statute in Dayton and a puppet theatre in Cincinnati.

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