Oioans have little reason to believe that state officials have decided - finally - to address the state's budget crisis. One more reason for skepticism was provided this week. It involves Issue 3 on the state's election ballot today.

For the good of the state, we urge Ohio voters to reject Issue 3. We have explained previously why we think the issue, intended to allow four gambling casinos in the state, is a bad idea.

But Issue 3 stipulates that each of the four casinos would have to pay a $50 million initial fee to the state. The money is to be earmarked for job training. We don't think that restriction is a good idea - but the proposed law is the proposed law.

Last week, two state senators asked Gov. Ted Strickland's administration if the initial licensing fees, $200 million in all, could be used to fund public schools. That would help offset an expected $850 million gap in the state's two-year budget. State Tax Commissioner Rich Levin said he would look into the matter, according to The Associated Press.

A little bookkeeping sleight of hand probably could accomplish the legislators' goal. The state could simply withdraw $200 million intended for certain school programs involving vocational training, and replace it with the casino money.

Technically, that would meet the amendment's requirements - but such state budget shenanigans are not what voters expect when they see ballot language calling for a $200 million investment in job training. In effect, if the senators prevail, little or nothing would change about state-funded job training programs.

Once again, instead of addressing the basic problems with Ohio's budget, some lawmakers want a quick, politically painless fix that would allow the fiscal wounds to fester for another two years. At that point they again would be a crisis.

At some point, Gov. Ted Strickland and legislators simply must make the difficult, probably politically unpopular, decisions needed to get the budget in balance and keep it there. Thus far, virtually all involved have failed to do that. The proposal to raid one-time revenue from casinos as a temporary budget plug makes us wonder whether the political will to correct budget imbalances exists.