Panel makes tweaks to Ohio midterm budget bill

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

An Ohio legislative panel made tweaks Monday to the governor’s wide-ranging midterm budget plan as lawmakers sought to sort out the differences between the state House and Senate versions of the measure.

The proposal includes a package of tax cuts added in the Senate and backed by Gov. John Kasich.

The six-member conference committee adjusted the bill’s small- business tax cut to make it contingent on available state revenues. The change would boost a small-business tax cut to up to 75 percent on income up to $250,000 for the 2014 tax year, instead of a flat 75 percent.

The change gives the state some wiggle room. Though the state’s budget director, Tim Keen, told the panel he believed the funds would be available to allow for a 75 percent tax reduction and the wording was a precaution.

The panel also sought to specify how certain addiction treatment money will be spent and added a provision to set up an evaluation system for caseworkers at county Job and Family Services departments.

The committee inserted a proposal to create an Office of Human Services Innovation within the state’s social services agency. The office would recommend to the governor ways to revise incentives for public assistance programs, coordinate employment services and streamline eligibility for the programs. The idea for the office had been included in a separate bill.

State lawmakers hope to finish their legislative work this week before breaking for the summer.