Legislative leaders won't include a proposed tax hike on Ohio oil-and-gas drillers in the two-year state budget.
Senate President Keith Faber and House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, both Republicans, announced Tuesday that negotiations on a longstanding priority of Gov. John Kasich have been fruitful but need more time.
They are creating a task force to review the issue and come up with a final report by Oct. 1. The panel will include two Republicans and one Democrat from each legislative chamber and Kasich's budget director. Industry groups, which continue to oppose the tax hike, will also be involved.
Rosenberger said it is the first time all sides will sit at one table.
Kasich has repeatedly sought the tax hike amid Ohio's shale-gas boom to pay for income-tax cuts.
