BRIEF ENCOUNTER--House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, speaks briefly with reporters following session, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 14, 2001. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

BREAK TIME--From left: Rep. Dean DePiero, D-Parma, Rep. Dan Metelsky, D-Lorain, and Rep. Chris Redfern, D-Port Clinton, take a break between committe hearing and session, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 14, 2001. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

DEMS MEET--House Minority Leader Jack Ford, center, D-Toledo, and Senate Minority Leader Leigh Herington, D-Ravenna, go over their notes prior to a news conference concerning allegations of ethics violations directed toward the Taft adminstration, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 14, 2001. On the far left is Sen. Robert Hagan, D-Youngstown, on the right is Rep. George Distel, D-Conneaut. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)