Ohio House doesn’t agree with Senate budget cuts, talks to follow

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House refused to concur on amendments to the state budget made by the Ohio Senate, sending the legislation to a conference committee to work out the differences.

The final vote to reject the Senate amendments was 97-1.

“I do not believe, in times like these, that it is beneficial to criticize the Senate’s work,” said Rep. Vernon Sykes, a Democrat from the Akron area who serves as chairman of the House finance committee. “Suffice it to say that there are many issues that are unresolved and require additional work.”

Rep. Ron Amstutz, a Republican from Wooster and ranking minority member of Senate finance, added, “We have 20 days left before this month ticks off and ends. So we have that much time if we want to get this done on time. …

“The heavy lifting is just beginning.”

Designees from both chambers will begin their work today, with updated financial projections from Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland’s budget director.

While not commenting on the specifics of those revenue estimates, Strickland and legislative leaders said Wednesday that they expected additional cuts to the already-slimmed-down spending plans OK’d by Senate Republicans.