Sweeping budget bill faces vote later today in Ohio House

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio House was prepared today to send to the governor a nearly $56 billion two-year state budget bill that contains many of his policy changes for the state, including an overhaul of Medicaid, a new merit-based pay system for teachers and the sell or lease of certain state assets.

Still, state lawmakers put their mark on the spending blueprint. Their proposals would eliminate the state’s estate tax by 2013 and reward high-performing schools a $17-per-student boost in state dollars.

The Republican-led House was poised to pass the spending plan in its afternoon session. The bill cleared the GOP-controlled Senate on a 22-11 vote Tuesday, with one Republican voting against it. Gov. John Kasich is expected to sign the bill Thursday evening, a day before the new fiscal year begins for the state.