LIFE IS GOOD--Senate Minority Leader-Elect Leigh Herington, D-Kent, right, shares a laugh with Sen. Roy Ray, R-Akron, prior to session, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

MEDICAID BILL--Sen. Grace Drake, R-Solon, speaks in favor of her sponsored legislation that would free-up medicaid funds, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

MIDRIFF MEETING--Rep. Gary Cates, R-West Chester, left, and Rep. Bob Corbin, R-Dayton, confer during debate on the school funding bill, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)

SCHOOL FUNDING--Rep. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, gestures as he speaks in favor of legislation having to do with school district funding mandates, at the Ohio Statehouse, in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000. Also seen is Rep. Rose Vesper, R-New Richmond. (JACK KUSTRON/photoj.com)