Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio)

Updated Revenue and Medicaid Numbers in Final Conference Committee Version of Budget

Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:06:00 +0000

The committee working out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the state budget now has updated estimates on tax revenues and Medicaid. Those numbers were higher than estimates, but they came with a caution.

The Office of Budget and Management estimates $709 million more in tax revenues above the original forecast, but budget director Tim Keen says after payments to the federal government for unemployment benefits, transfers to the rainy day fund and other issues are paid, there will only be about $397 million extra to do more tax cuts or spending.

Senate Passes Budget Bill Along Party Lines, Now Heads to Conference Committee

Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:35:00 +0000

As expected, the Republican dominated Senate passed its budget in a marathon seven hour session. But as Statehouse correspondent Karen Kasler reports, minority Democrats did all they could to get their concerns heard before Republicans passed the bill.

Amendments for More Money for Food Banks Not Accepted by Senate Committee

Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:35:00 +0000

Food banks might lose the money that House lawmakers put in their version of the budget. The Senate’s changes to the budget plan that was voted out of committee today/yesterday do not include a House provision to add 2 million dollars into the state’s food banks, and a Democratic amendment to do that was rejected. Lisa Hamler Fugitt of the Ohio Association of Food Banks says she’s disappointed that more funding for food banks was out of the Senate version of the budget, while changes to the state’s exotic animals law stayed in.

House Lawmakers: Liquor Money to JobsOhio Is Private, Can't Be Audited By State

Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio) — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:04:00 +0000

Lawmakers in the House say they've cleared up a controversy over Gov. Kasich’s job-creating program – whether the auditor can audit the operating funds in JobsOhio, as he says he can, or whether that money is private.

Ohio Tea Party Groups Still Simmering Over IRS Scandal

Karen Kasler (Ohio Public Radio) — Tue, 28 May 2013 12:04:00 +0000

The holiday week continues for lawmakers in Washington – which means no more hearings on the IRS scandal. But there's no break for Ohio groups who say they were targeted - and are angry.

So-called social welfare groups don’t have to apply to the IRS, but donors often want to see IRS recognition before giving. Maurice Thompson is preparing a lawsuit on behalf of Ohio Tea Party groups, and says it would also seek to stop the IRS from targeting groups or individuals, as has happened in previous administrations.