Senate Unveils Budget Changes

This week the Senate Finance Committee unveiled its first round of changes to House Bill 49, the state budget bill. The sub bill was designed to address the expected $1 billion shortfall which is based on the latest tax receipt estimates.

State agencies would see their budgets cut on average three to four percent.

While the budget makes reductions in many areas, Senate leaders point out that both school funding and money to fund opioid addiction treatment were increased.

The committee will accept a second round of changes early next week. The Senate has signaled that it intends to vote the bill out of its chamber by the middle of next week. After passage by the Senate, the bill will go to conference committee where House and Senate leaders will work out differences in the legislation. The chambers work against a clock of June 30 by which date the bill must be signed by Gov. Kasich. 6/15/2017