The State Senate has released its version of Ohio's budget. The chamber plans to send $71.3 billion over two years, which is about one billion less than both the House and Gov. John Kasich's proposed spending plans. Senate President Keith Faber of Celina is happy with his caucus’ proposal – which he says has a smaller bottom line than the previous two budget plans. Tax cuts are the big feature in the proposal. “We are continuing today to build on our commitment to fund what matters and return to the taxpayers what’s not essential,” Faber said. And even though the Senate plan doesn’t include the 23 percent income tax cut proposed by Kasich, it does cut the income tax by 6.3 percent across the board, eliminates taxes for small businesses earning up to $250,000 a year then creates a 3 percent flat tax for other small businesses. The Senate plan doesn’t tax social security income, and doesn’t raise sales or fracking taxes, but smokers would pay an extra 40 cents a pack. And along with the
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