State senators have passed a sweeping $71.2 billion, two-year budget that provides an income tax cut for Ohioans, funds public schools and seeks to change health care policies.
A negotiating panel of lawmakers worked into early Thursday morning to reach an agreement over differences in the budget. The Senate cleared the finalized bill on a 23-9 vote Thursday afternoon.
The spending legislation would provide a 6.3 percent income tax cut beginning in tax year 2015 and continues an expansion of the Medicaid program.
Majority Republicans said the proposal puts more money in residents' pockets and K-12 education, though Democrats criticized the plan as failing to ensure prosperity for all Ohioans.
The House is eyeing a Friday vote. The deadline for the governor to sign the bill into law is Tuesday.