COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An influential state lawmaker says substantial changes are planned to Gov. John Kasich's (KAY'-siks) tax reform proposals but statewide income-tax cuts will remain.
House Finance Chairman Ron Amstutz (AHM'-stuts) said Thursday he anticipates the House version of the two-year state budget will replace the governor's proposed sales-tax expansion as a way of paying for the income-tax cuts.
He said extending sales taxes to professional services, as Kasich proposed, would have "significant unintended consequences."
House Speaker William Batchelder has signaled the House will also remove Kasich's proposed tax hike on drilling.
The House finished public hearings on Kasich's budget plan on Thursday. Proposed amendments are due Friday.
Amstutz said the House version that's coming in April will be shorter to focus on taxes, school-funding and health care.
