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State Budget Clears Ohio Senate
By: Associated Press
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A state budget that revamps Ohio's school funding system, cuts personal income taxes and adds new abortion restrictions has cleared the Ohio Senate.
The Republican-led chamber approved the $62 billion, two-year spending blueprint Thursday in a 21-11 vote over some fierce objections by Democrats. An Ohio House vote also was planned as Gov. John Kasich faces a Sunday deadline to sign the budget.
Republican Senate President Keith Faber was among those who praised the bill during floor debate, highlighting added spending on public schools and government health care programs.
Democrats argued the budget delivers tax cuts disproportionately to wealthy individuals and businesses and ignores the poor and hungry. Many wanted to see an expansion of the Medicaid program that was supported by Kasich but rejected by legislative Republicans.