Tax cuts, hikes in Kasich budget to be detailed

Published 10:07 am Monday, February 2, 2015

COLUMBUS (AP) — The two-year operating budget that Gov. John Kasich has prepared will include a package of tax changes that delivers an overall $500 million cut.

Details the Republican governor provides today will show exactly what’s reduced — and what’s raised — in order to achieve the savings.

Kasich has signaled he’ll eliminate nearly all income taxes imposed on small businesses and boost the personal income-tax exemption for low- and middle-income workers. To offset those cuts, he’s likely to revisit raising taxes on oil and gas drilling operations and to consider increases on so-called sin taxes, such as on cigarettes.

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Kasich’s budget also is expected to request authorization to continue a Medicaid expansion approved last session. He also says he’s working on ways to lift struggling Ohioans out of poverty.