Ohio Water Bill Decision Expected Friday

(Columbus, Oh-WWJ) Ohio's governor is under increasing pressure from other Great Lakes governors, including Michigan's, to veto a controversial water bill.

The measure, which won easy approval in Ohio's Republican-dominated legislature, allows factories and other businesses to remove millions of gallons of water daily from Lake Erie without a special permit.

Environmentalists are aghast, and two former governors have urged incumbent John Kasich, a Republican, not to sign the bill. A number of newspapers have also come out against the plan.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's office contacted Ohio Thursday to express concern. Spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said "We are looking carefully at Ohio's legislation and sharing concerns and raising questions with their leaders."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is even threatening legal action if the bill becomes law.

Kasich is expected to announce his decision Friday.

(Copyright 2011 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press Contributed To This Story.)