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Gov. Kasich signs $56B spending plan
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Gov. John Kasich has added his signature to the two-year, $56 billion spending plan that he and legislative Republicans say will lead to lower taxes for Ohioans and more-solid financial and economic footing for the state in years to come.
The official signing took place in Kasich’s ceremonial office at the Statehouse on Thursday evening, well in advance of the midnight deadline and start of the new fiscal year.
The governor offered very few comments during the three-minute ceremony, other than noting when he had signed his name.
“It is now law,” he said, holding up the signature page. “We promised Ohioans a new way and a new day, and we’re delivering.”
Kasich did use his line-item veto authority on three items — mostly minor issues that did not change the overall gist of what Republicans in the Ohio House and Senate approved.
The governor quashed a provision that would have required the purchaser of one of the state’s prisons to provide the state with a right of first refusal at the original purchase price, should the buyer decide to vacate the premises in the future.
Kasich also vetoed an earmark for Hattie Larlham Community Living, which receives Medicaid funding to provide services to people with developmental disabilities in Northeast Ohio.