SENATE BUDGET HEARINGS--Senate Finance Committee Chairman James Carnes, R-St. Clairsville, enjoys a laugh with Kent Cahlander, left, of the Gongwer News Service, and Jim Drew, of the Toledo Blade, prior to a hearing on the state budget, at the Ohio Stateshouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 1, 2002. The state is facing a $1.25 billion shortfall over the next two years. (Jack Kustron/Photoj.com)

SENATE BUDGET HEARINGS--Former smoker Maryanne Huston uses a respirator prior to testifying in favor of a proposed 50-cents-a-pack increase in the state's cigarette tax to help balance the budget, during a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 1, 2002. She is wearing a button that reads "50 ¢ Makes Sense For Kids." (Jack Kustron/Photoj.com)

SENATE BUDGET HEARINGS--Thirteen year-old Bryant Smith, of Athens, listens to testimony during a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee concerning the expected $1.25 billion budget shortfall, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 1, 2002. Bryant's mother Connie testifed in favor of a proposed fifty-cents-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax to not only help balance the budget, but to also discourage children from smoking. He's wearing a button that reads "50 ¢ Makes Sense For Kids." (Jack Kustron/Photoj.com)

SENATE BUDGET HEARINGS--Sen. Leigh Herington, D-Ravenna, center, laughs as Senate Finance Committee members Mark Mallory, D-Cincinnati, left, and Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, plot strategy during a hearing on the budget, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 1, 2002. The Republican controlled legislature is faced with solving a $1.25 billion shortfall in revenue and is looking at a possible fifty-cent-a-pack tax increase on cigarettes. The Democrates are withholding their support for the time being. (Jack Kustron/Photoj.com)

SENATE BUDGET HEARINGS--Matthew Filipic, Wright State University Vice-President of Business and Fiscal Affairs, testifies on behalf of the Inter University Council before the Senate Finance Committee, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesdy, May 1, 2002. (Jack Kustron/Photoj.com)