Consider the source.

That's the response from a state senator in regards to information handed out at last week's press conference by the group Campaign to Stop Ohio's Slide (SOS).

Seventeenth District Sen. John Carey, a Republican, said Monday that much of the information set forth by S.O.S. Communications Director Dale Butland was either incorrect or premature and all of the information had a decidedly political tinge.

Carey took issue with Butland's contention that his group is non-partisan and has mounted an offensive against Gov. Bob Taft's proposed tax reform package only because it is unfair. Carey maintained Butland is indeed partisan and has a history of representing Democrats and democratic causes.

"He is a Democratic operative who is a spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party and Jerry Springer," Carey said. "He frequently represents the Democrats on the Ohio News Network. I can assure you he is more interested in advancing his political agenda than anything else."

Butland responded that while he is a Democrat, and has worked for democratic officeholders in the past, S.O.S. is a non-partisan effort.

Carey took exception to Butland's recurrent references during his press conference to a Senate budget plan, saying

the Senate does not have the budget under consideration as it is in House at this time, and the process of approving a budget in a lengthy one.

"It's still early in the process, people still have a chance for input," Carey said.

Butland said

technically, Carey is correct that the budget is still is the House and is not under consideration by the Senate yet, but eventually, the budget will make its way to the Senate for approval, just as the tax reform plan now making its way through the senate will go the house for approval.

Carey said Butland was incorrect when he stated that the Fairland Local School District was among those facing funding cuts under the proposed budget making its way through the legislative process. The senator said in the proposed biennial spending plan, Fairland would see an increase of $460,000 the first year and a $34,000 reduction of funds the second year, meaning a net gain of more than $400,000 during the life of the proposed two-year plan.

At the press conference last week, Butland urged voters to contact their state senators and voice their opposition to the Governors proposed tax reform package and proposed budget. He gave a phone number for each of the two state senators who represent Lawrence County.

Carey said the phone number given to contact him was his home phone number and since he is in Columbus at this time, it would be unlikely people could reach him at home right now.

Butland said S.O.S. used phone numbers submitted by senators for a statewide directory.

"Mr. Butland is a hard worker for the Democrat party but I hope he tries to be accurate in the future when he talks about these issues," Carey said.