Conference committee to sort out Ohio's new budget

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Senate approved a $71.3 billion biennial budget Thursday that proponents say will mean lower taxes and economic growth and opponents say will further help wealthy residents at the expense of the needy.

Sen. Scott Oelslager (R-North Canton), chairman of the Finance Committee, called final bill a "comprehensive and thoughtful budget that benefits the citizens of our great state. This plan demonstrates the Senate's commitment to funding essential programs while ... protecting taxpayer dollars."

Sen. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood), ranking minority member of the Finance Committee, countered, "In this budget, Gov. Kasich and the Republicans seek further across-the-board income tax cuts, but what does that mean? The wealthiest Ohioans get an average income tax [cut] of $10,227 while the middle class, those with income ranges between $37,000-$58,000, are only getting a $13 cut. The cuts are generous to the wealthiest Ohioans but [do] little for middle class Ohioans."

The final vote on HB 64 was a split 23-10, with most Democrats opposing, though Republicans accepted a few last-minute changes to gain support from one minority party member. One Republican member, meanwhile, voted against the bill.

The budget isn't a done deal, however. Following a House vote later in the evening rejecting Senate amendments, a conference committee of the two chambers — the panel includes four Republicans and two Democrats — meets Friday to begin negotiations on a final two-year spending plan.

The morning session of the committee was scheduled to include comments from the state budget director and updated financial projections, which could sway conferees' decisions.

Much of the ensuing work of the conference committee will be completed behind closed doors. Members have a little more than a week to complete the legislation to ensure a final vote by the House and Senate by June 30, in time for the governor to veto lines he opposes and add his signature in advance of the new state fiscal year on July 1.