By MARC KOVAC

and MICHELLE HLADIK

C-N Capital Bureau

COLUMBUS -- Statehouse Democrats stood ready Wednesday to back Gov. Ted Strickland's State of the State initiatives.

"Today, we heard a message, not a speech," House Minority Leader Joyce Beatty said, flanked by many members of the Democratic caucuses of the 127th General Assembly during a press conference following the governor's address. "... I've waited a long time -- 16 years -- to hear a message."

Senate Minority Leader Teresa Fedor added, "Wasn't that the best political speech we've heard in 16 years? ... As Democrats, we're ready to work with the governor on those issue that matter the most."

Republicans, meanwhile, stood waiting for details and specifics to gauge how to react to proposals to increase school funding and health care coverage for children while decreasing property taxes and reining in overall spending.

"He did a good job of articulating his speech (and his goals)," said Sen. President Bill Harris, R-Ashland. "... Once we get the documents to read... the debate can start."

House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, added, "I encourage the governor to get us the details as soon as possible and not wait until next week to do that."

In something of a break from past administration practice, copies of the governor's State of the State address were not distributed to lawmakers or news media until after the speech ended. With House and Senate committee meetings stretching over the course of the afternoon, some senators and representatives were getting the gist of the governor's comments well into Wednesday evening.

Husted and Harris, who spoke to news outlets about an hour after Strickland's speech, complimented the governor on the goals he outlined, including improving education. But they said they couldn't comment on the content, as Strickland had not yet submitted his executive budget proposal, which will outline specifics on how he intents to implement his initiatives.

Both said they were concerned about the governor's plans to eliminate vouchers and reduce parity aid for poorer schools (decreasing eligible districts to 60 percent from the current 80 percent that receive the funds).

"I'm sure we'll have a lot of discussion about it," Husted said.

Fedor, who joined other Democrats in addressing the press about 20 minutes after the speech, said Strickland's proposals will "clean up Ohio's government in a fiscally responsible manner. ... We're living in hard times, and tough choices have to be made."

And Beatty said Statehouse Democrats stand unified in support of the governor's proposals.

"Today, we planted the seed," she said. "Today, we asked (Republicans) to join us, because they have said so often we need standards, we need accountability. The House Democrats stand ready with the senators on the other side."

Rep. Chris Redfern, a Democrat from Catawba Island Township, added, "Today is a great day not just for Democrats but for Republicans and independents who want to put our state first. We look forward to supporting his budget over the course of the next few months."

Local reaction

Sen. Steve Buehrer, R-Delta, commended the governor for making the state's job climate a high priority.

However, he said the speech was full of new spending plans, the details of which won't come out until the budget is released.

Buehrer said cutting the voucher program would be "a bit of a contradiction." He said Strickland talked about improving education for all Ohio students and helping them get a better education, but suggested taking away one way that was developed to help those student get that better education. He said it would be "pulling the rug out" from Ohio students who need the program and "a step backwards."

Rep. Bruce Goodwin, R-Defiance, said, "A lot of things the governor said made sense -- if there is money attached. He said he thinks the governor is splitting money pretty thin across the board.

Additionally, Goodwin said he is worried about the education funding plan which might actually result in a loss of funds for schools in his district. He said he also has a number of parochial schools in his area and they would lose out if the voucher program is eliminated.

Goodwin said he understands the need for all schools to be accountable but said the parochial schools are already being held accountable. And he said when it comes down to a vote on the issues he believes many Republicans and a few Democrats will support school choice.

Goodwin said he was pleased with the portions of the address which dealt with low budget growth, investing in alternative energy sources and job and work force development.

Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, R-Napoleon, said it was a good speech that proposed the growth of a lot of programs, including health care, but he was also concerned about the losses schools in his area would face.

He said he was worried the rural school districts would lose money to the larger urban districts.

Wachtmann also said that through Strickland's policies, the governor doesn't support education for poorer students. He said Strickland is bowing to the unions and to the school districts and not thinking about what is best for the students.

"A lot of us believe it is more important to give better education than to give more money to failing schools," he said.