Panel makes tweaks to Ohio midterm budget bill

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — 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.

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