Ohio panel cancels budget talks as plan nears vote
Ohio committee cancels talks on budget changes; meeting on spending plan scheduled for Tuesday
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A legislative panel finalizing Ohio's budget has canceled its Monday evening meeting.
The six-member committee plans to meet on Tuesday afternoon instead to hash out the budget differences between the House and Senate. The two chambers passed separate tax proposals that must be reconciled.
Majority Republican leaders released the details last week of some tax changes expected to be included in the budget. The tax package calls for a gradual income tax reduction over three years, beginning with an 8.5-percent cut in the first year.
The income tax cut would be paid for in part by an increase in the state sales tax, which would go from 5.5 percent to 5.75 percent.
State lawmakers face a June 30 deadline to pass the two-year state spending plan.
