Kasich expected to sign $62B budget today, announce line-item vetoes

Kasich expected to sign $62B budget today, announce line-item vetoes

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is ready to sign the new $62 billion, two-year state budget and specify any items he is rejecting.

The Republican was expected to sign the measure today and issue any veto messages.

The plan cuts personal income taxes, adds some abortion restrictions and makes changes to school funding. It doesn’t include changes Kasich sought for Ohio’s Medicaid system, but he says he expects lawmakers to restructure the health care program by year’s end.

Republicans are especially proud of $2.7 billion in tax cuts to be delivered over three years, including a phased in income-tax cut for individuals and small businesses.

Democrats pan those reductions, saying the income-tax cut would disproportionately benefit wealthier Ohioans while sales tax changes would hurt those struggling to make ends meet.