Strickland is testing the reach of executive power

CoshoctonTribune.com wrote Gov. Strickland is testing the reach of executive power
BY STEPHEN MAJORS – ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER – SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
Gov. Ted Strickland has proved himself adept at wielding executive power to achieve Democratic goals, despite the obstacle of a Republican-controlled Legislature.
But his recent decision on when union-scale prevailing wage should be paid on private projects receiving some state money has raised tensions to a new level, and Republican lawmakers are preparing for a fight.
Governors pushing the envelope on executive power can go only so far, said Grant Neeley, a political science professor at the University of Dayton.
While Strickland says his ruling is meant to clarify when prevailing wage should be used, Republicans say he is changing the rules so that it is used more often. They fear that if businesses have to pay prevailing wage more frequently, the state’s already shaky business climate will be further damaged.