Auditor: Add surplus to rainy day fund

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio's auditor is urging lawmakers to put any surplus tax money into the state's rainy day fund this year instead of spending it.

A boost from tax collections has put revenue about $350 million above estimates. Some forecasters believe that could grow by hundreds of millions of dollars before the fiscal year ends June 30.

But Republican Gov. John Kasich's administration has downplayed that possibility.

A provision added to a legislative proposal by House Republicans would keep surplus revenue from automatically transferring into the rainy day fund.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Auditor Dave Yost sent a letter to state Senate leaders encouraging them to remove the provision. He says extra revenue should be saved because the $247 million in the rainy day fund is below the recommended level.