The ever-changing proposed state budget took several twists this past week, and what the Ohio Senate unveiled is quite different from the measure passed earlier by the Ohio House of Representatives.

Among the differences is the Ohio Senate wants to scrap a 7 percent permanent income tax cut for individuals. Instead, Ohio Senate leaders in their initial budget bill included a $1.4 billion tax cut to small businesses by cutting in half taxes on the first $750,000 of net income.

The statewide tax cut for individuals was estimated to be worth $1.5 billion, but Ohio Senate leadership said the target tax relief for small businesses would have the most direct impact to encourage job growth.

They hope the small business tax cuts would provide incentives for owners to invest more money into equipment needs, expansion plans, and employee payroll.

Gov. John Kasich had proposed a 20 percent income tax rate reduction for individuals, but it now seems as if there will be little or no reduction in this area.

Ohio Senate officials also announced they do plan to continue work on tax reform with the Ohio House of Representatives in Conference Committee.

What appears to be off the table for now was the governor’s plan to expand the base of the state sales tax and also reduce the overall sales tax rate.

Also missing in either state budget proposal so far is a plan to expand Medicaid coverage to more Ohioans.

But it doesn’t seem the door is closed on this issue, as Ohio Senate leaders said they continue to work on a Medicaid reform plan outside of the budget process.

When it comes to education spending, the Senate version of the budget bill would raise spending on K-12 education by more than $717 million when compared to the last two-year budget, The Associated Press reported.

Schools, according to the GOP-controlled Senate plan, would see an additional $141.6 million in direct state aid when compared to the funding formula the Ohio House passed in its version of the budget bill.

A full Ohio Senate vote is planned for Thursday, and if the measure is approved, the bill heads to a conference committee to hammer out the differences with what was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives.

At this point, there appears to be a lot of discrepancy, so there will be much work to do to pass a final version that needs to be signed by the governor before July 1.

Budish announces

State Rep. Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, announced that he will run for Cuyahoga County executive. He aims to replace Ed FitzGerald, who is running for governor. Media reports showed FitzGerald was present at the announcement and endorsed Budish’s campaign.

Governor appointment

Patrick W. Bevack of Concord Township recently was appointed by Kasich to serve on the Savings and Loan Associations and Savings Bank Board.

Lake-Geauga YRs

The Lake-Geauga Young Republicans are the host club for the 2013 Ohio Young Republican State Convention on June 7-8 at LaMalfa Centre in Mentor.

Local speakers during the convention include state Rep. Matt Lynch and 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Colleen M. O’Toole. Keynote speaker for the dinner program will be U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta. U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce will be inducted into the local club’s hall of fame.

Contact Matt Jaworski or Brian Wollet for more details.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Maureen Callahan for North Perry Council; Ed Levon for Wickliffe Council Ward 4; and Kenneth J. Blakeley for Leroy Township trustee.

Fundies

n Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap’s Golf and Steak Fry, 10:30 a.m. shotgun start June 7 at Painesville Country Club. See Lu Dunlap or Frank Leonbruno.

n Willoughby Hills Councilwoman Nancy Fellows hosts Flag Day Family Picnic from 6 to 8 p.m. June 14 at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills. See Nancy or Dale Fellows.

n John Plecnik, candidate for Willoughby Hills Council, Slovenian Style Dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 12 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Plecnik or Tony Manfredi.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Ohio Republicans have decided that now is not the time to try to make the Ohio a so-called Right to Work state.

The issue appears to be dead despite the recent introduction of two bills in the Ohio General Assembly that aim to prohibit public and private sector workers from being required to join a union as part of their employment.

Ohio General Assembly Republicans argue that workers should have the freedom to chose whether they want union representation.

Democrats aren’t letting the opportunity pass to use the issue to help them raise money and energize the party base.

They charge that the measures are an attack on collective bargaining and aim to weaken union membership.

A Cleveland-based political action committee named Keep Ohio’s Heritage even ran a recent television spot titled “Middle Class Minute.”

Democrats also say Right To Work comes with reductions to the average rate of pay for workers when compared to states that have a collective bargaining system like Ohio.

State Rep. Kevin Boyce, D-Columbus, who previously served as Ohio treasurer for two years starting in January 2009, recently sent out an email fundraiser appeal to Democratic supporters.

“This threat is real. The bills have been introduced and are just sitting there for Gov. (John) Kasich and his extreme Republican colleagues to bully through at a moment’s notice,” Boyce wrote. “Together we can win like we did against Senate Bill 5.”

The success of the Ohio Democratic Party and union members was evident when a galvanized effort spearheaded the repeal of Senate Bill 5 in November 2011.

It was precisely that fundraising effort that Ohio Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, referred to in deciding it was the wrong time to try to change the state law regarding Right to work.

A hearing on the issue that had been scheduled for last Thursday was cancelled.

My hunch is at some point the issue of Right to Work will appear on statewide ballots in some form.

I believe it would either be to repeal a bill that changes the state law making Ohio a Right To Work state or one that lets voters ultimately decide the matter.

Lake-Geauga YRs

The Lake-Geauga Young Republicans are the host club for the 2013 Ohio Young Republican State Convention on June 7-8 at LaMalfa Centre in Mentor.

Local speakers during the convention include state Rep. Matt Lynch and 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Colleen M. O’Toole. Keynote speaker for the dinner program will be U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta. U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce will be inducted into the local club’s hall of fame.

Contact Matt Jaworski or Brian Wollet for more details.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were David Anderson for Willoughby mayor; and Dennis Morley for Eastlake mayor.

Taken out petitions

Recently signing out candidacy petitions in Lake County are R. Robert Umholtz and Donald P. Webbe for Kirtland Council at large; and Geoffrey W. Weaver for Lake County Common Pleas Court; John R. Murphy for Painesville Council at large Jan. 3 term; Chuck Hillier for Painesville Township trustee; Joshua J. Strickland for Painesville Township trustee; and Mark Timm for Leroy Township trustee.

Deadline

The weekly deadline to submit information for this column is prior to 5 p.m. each Wednesday. Email or fax is preferred.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Geauga County Commissioner Mary Samide, 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 30 at S.O.S. Inc. in Munson Township. See Samide or Jacqueline Moskal.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 18th annual golf outing, 11:30 a.m. registration May 31 at Powderhorn Country Club in Madison Township. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

n Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap’s Golf and Steak Fry, 10:30 a.m. shotgun start June 7 at Painesville Country Club. See Lu Dunlap or Frank Leonbruno.

n Willoughby Hills Councilwoman Nancy Fellows hosts Flag Day Family Picnic from 6 to 8 p.m. June 14 at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills. See Nancy or Dale Fellows.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The Ohio Young Republicans congratulated Ohio Republican Party Executive Director Matt Borges on his election to become the new chairman for the Ohio Republican Party.

Borges was elected Friday after winning a majority vote from the 66-member Ohio State Central Committee. He will succeed Chairman Bob Bennett who will retire.

Mentor resident Brian Wollett, who is Ohio Young Republican chairman, said Borges was an excellent choice to lead outreach efforts headed into next year’s gubernatorial election.

“He has worked diligently to explain his plan for the Ohio Republican Party and we look forward to being part of that effort.” Wollet said in a statement. “While we are sad to see Chairman Bennett retire, we are confident the Ohio Republican Party is headed in the right direction.”

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah