TAKING NOTES--House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, R-Reynoldsburg, speaks with reporters, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, June 10, 1999. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

PREMATURE CONGRATULATION--Rep. Bob Corbin, right, R-Centerville, gets a high-five from Rep. Sylvester Patton, D-Youngstown, prior to session where the Corbin- sponsored legislative pay raise bill was expected to be approved, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, June 10, 1999. Corbin ended-up asking for the bill to be sent back to the Finance Committee after not having the votes to pass it in its present form. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

BUDGET STRATEGY--Sen. Mark Mallory, D-Cincinnati, speaks in support of a Democratic-sponsord amendment to the budget bill, while Minority Leader Ben Espy, left, D-Columbus, and Sen. Eric Fingerhut, D-Cleveland plot strategy, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, June 10, 1999. All seven amendments offered by the Dems were rejected and the bill passed 33-0 . (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

HAPPY VICTORS--Senate President Richard Finan, right, R-Cincinnati, gives Finance Committee Chairman Roy Ray, R-Akron, a pat on the back during debate over the state's $22.57 billion two-year general appropriations bill, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, June 10, 1999. The bill cleared the Senate 33-0. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

A REAL FIREPLUG OF A GUY--A fire hydrant is the perfect place for a construction worker to leave his gear on a hot summer day, in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, June 10, 1999. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)