Kasich: Ohio Senate, House not far apart on budget

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. John Kasich says differences between state budget plans in the House and Senate are minimal and he doesn’t believe there are any major snags that can’t be worked out.

The Republican-led Senate was poised to vote later today on its revisions to the $55.7 billion two-year state spending blueprint first proposed by Kasich.

Among other changes, senators seek to include a ban on abortions at publicly funded hospitals and restrict public employees’ government-funded insurance policies from covering abortions.

The Republican governor says he is against abortion and doesn’t oppose the proposals.

At the request of Kasich’s office, the Senate version also strips him of his chairmanship over the board of the new semi-private economic development JobsOhio panel.

Legislators would have to work out differences in the House and Senate plans before June 30.