Senate approves school, tax changes

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

State senators passed a package of new tax cuts and adjustments to teachers’ performance evaluations on Wednesday as components of Gov. John Kasich’s midterm budget plan lurched closer to his desk.

The tax and education ideas were among a slew of policy changes contained in separate midterm budget bills approved by the Senate. The House passed earlier versions of the measures. A joint conference committee would likely be appointed to work out the differences in the legislation, a House spokesman said.

One sweeping budget bill including tax provisions supported by the Republican governor passed on a 24-8 vote. The legislation would accelerate a planned income-tax cut and expand certain exemptions and credits.