The GOP dominated Ohio Senate clears its version of the state’s operating budget, along party lines…with a nearly $86 billion dollar price tag, tackling funding for universal school vouchers, income tax cuts and public assistance programs, among hundreds of other provisions. The 7,000-page proposal is also stuffed with contentious policy changes, including a K-12 education overhaul, bans on flavored vape sales and certain social media apps, and prohibitions on faculty strikes and diversity mandates at public colleges and universities. Changes must still be ironed out with the GOP-led House, where a contingent of the Republican super-majority wants to accept the Senate’s version despite vast changes from their April budget proposal. House Speaker Jason Stephens tells reporters the chamber will continue negotiations, though fellow GOP Rep. Phil Plummer, of Dayton, said those unhappy with Stephens’ leadership are gathering votes to cut the negotiations short.
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