Ohio Senate GOP preparing budget alternative

COLUMBUS (AP) — Republicans who control the Ohio Senate are preparing to move forward with a plan for budget cuts instead of Gov. Ted Strickland’s proposed tax cut delay to fill a $850 million hole.

Senate Republicans hope to settle on a proposal Wednesday to fill the budget gap, which would come out of school district budgets if left unchanged.

The majority of Republicans won’t support Strickland’s tax cut delay, and efforts to find a compromise with the governor have stalled.

Republicans have been willing to offer five votes for the tax plan if Strickland would agree to changes in state construction rules, but the governor has said those aren’t ready.

The Republican proposal would force a conference committee to work out differences with the Democratic-controlled House.