The dire warnings began long before Gov. Ted Strickland and state lawmakers ended their impasse over a new $50.5 billion, two-year budget on July 17.

Severe cuts to mental-health, social-services, health-care and other programs would hurt -- maybe even kill -- Ohioans, critics said. Nevertheless, the governor and lawmakers proceeded with a patched-up budget that made sharp reductions and included revenue from slots at racetracks that, it turned out, would not develop. Four months later, the slots proposal is on hold, the budget remains $851 million out of balance, and many of the predicted human consequences are coming true.

The state's budget tightrope act appears to be failing Ohioans across the state.

Here are some human casualties of the budget battle in Columbus.

Getting personal

• State budget cuts devastating the most vulnerable Ohioans
• Video: Family to weather winter in a camper
• Survivors must dig graves for their dead
• Without outreach, homeless may be more helpless
• After-school closings to leave kids on outside
• Who will protect, help the elderly?
• Mentally ill are losing some of their last refuges