COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP): Ohio's budget director says the state's financial position is strong and stable, but that does not mean crafting the next two-year budget will be easy.

Budget director Tim Keen said Thursday that lawmakers will need to review state operations and services to make sure they are effective. He also said there's work to be done to reduce the state's income tax and contain the cost of the Medicaid health program.

Keen was among the administration officials and legislative leaders convening at a post-election conference to discuss policy issues facing the state. Other panels were planned on energy, health care and education.

The conference follows Tuesday's elections in which voters swept statewide incumbent Republicans back into office, including Gov. John Kasich. The GOP also retained control of the Legislature.