Governor Kasich has set the tone for fiscal responsibility in Ohio state government, now he is reinforcing the message. Kasich’s budget folks, including director Tim Keen, have recognized that the current recovery is both fragile and slow.

Accordingly, they’ve asked state agencies to prepare for consistent spending levels in the next biennial budget, while also being ready to cut 10% from current levels.

Asking state agencies to do this type of contingency planning keeps Ohio nimble, ready to react should the economy (and by extension tax revenues) take another downward turn.

It’s a simple, smart strategy.