State Senator Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House) thanked the Ohio Channel today for its live broadcasting of Senate Finance Committee meetings as the Senate begins hearing testimony on the state's operating budget. 

"Ohioans have greater access to the legislative process today than any other time in our state's history," said Peterson, who serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee. "I believe in the transparency of taxpayer dollars and this is a great opportunity for Ohioans to become more informed about where and how their money is being spent."

The Senate Finance Committee heard informal testimony from the Office of Budget Management and Legislative Service Commission today. The committee will hear testimony on tax reform, Medicaid and education this week before the budget items are referred to sub-committees where they will be thoroughly reviewed based on respective subject matters over the next three weeks. 

Live coverage of the Senate Finance Committee and the sub-committees is available to the public online at www.OhioChannel.org.