Lawmakers To Hash Out Budget Differences This Week, Get Plan To The Governor

(News/Talk 1480 WHBC) – Ohio lawmakers are running out of time to sort out differences between the Senate and House versions of the two-year budget.

Senator Kirk Schuring was on with Canton’s Morning News on Monday.

“We have some differences on the tax packages and the academic distress commission, so those are some things that I’m confident will be worked out.”

But he says those differences probably won’t be hashed out until later this week, leaving little time for Governor DeWine to review and sign the new budget by the Sunday deadline.

Ohio would establish more flexible high school graduation requirements, hold its presidential primary election later in March, and require hospitals to post their standard pricing online under the Senate’s state budget proposal.

It would also lower income taxes for individuals and direct more money toward educational wraparound services, water quality initiatives, local governments, libraries and public television stations.

The budget plan also would raise the minimum age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21 and add taxes on vaping products.

Lawmakers have until June 30th to sort out differences between the Senate’s plan and the House version and get a budget signed by Governor Mike DeWine.