“I’m sure there were threats made and pressures put on those groups to come forward and agree with the proposal that’s been made,” said Amstutz, the top Republican on the House Finance Committee. “All these groups are subject to regulation and they’re subject to other tax decisions and policies that impact them heavily going forward.”

Amstutz said he had no direct knowledge of conversations between the Strickland administration and business groups. “I know how things work in Columbus and I know that pressure is applied to get support for especially unpopular things.”

In a letter to Amstutz, Dodd said he is accusing Strickland of coercion.

“The recklessness of your words discredits the legislative process and the Ohio House of Representatives,” Dodd wrote. “I completely understand the frustration you may feel regarding the role of the House Republican Caucus in the budget process, but I do not understand how accusing Gov. Strickland of committing a second-degree misdemeanor does anything to help make things better.”

Dodd added that the statements were a “momentary lapse in character and do not reflect your better nature. However, I believe your accusations are serious and demand an apology to Gov. Strickland and the Ohio House of Representatives.”

Groups including manufacturers, retailers and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce have said, essentially, that the governor’s plan to suspend a 4.2-percent income tax cut that took effect Jan. 1 is the best of a host of bad choices to fill an $851 million budget shortfall.

Strickland spokeswoman Amanda Wurst called Amstutz’s assertion “absolutely absurd.”
Jim McGregor, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, denied there was pressure applied.

“Rep. Amstutz’s suggestion that Ohio manufacturers were somehow strong-armed by the administration to voice support for Governor Strickland’s proposal…is both unfortunate and inaccurate,” he said in a statement. “Any position the OMA adopts and articulates regarding any public policy proposal reflects careful consideration of what is in the best interests of our member manufacturing companies. That is our bottom line and that certainly is what led to our qualified declaration of support for the Governor’s income tax proposal.”

Amstutz is trying to put the controversy behind him.

“I’ve seen several things that are an attempt to make this into a sideshow,” he said. “I think what we need to be doing at this point is focusing on the policy issues, and that’s my interest, and not ramp up rhetoric and heat outside of that.”