The controversial bill that would ban abortion after the first detectable fetal heartbeat passed the Ohio House, largely on a party line vote - and with a surprising revelation. The $7 billion transportation budget is a go – the House and Senate agreed to it this week, though there were some changes. After weeks of talks, Republicans who lead the Ohio House and Senate struck a deal on what they say will crack down potentially dangerous toxins that turned part of Lake Erie green and left nearly half a million people in Toledo unable to use the water last summer. Farmers groups are supporting it, as is the Ohio Environmental Council.
Gov. John Kasich has said the severance tax on oil and gas drillers is one of his priorities. Kasich’s budget includes a 6.5% severance tax, much larger than the 2.5% severance tax that was passed by the Republican-led Ohio House last year. The increase is opposed by Shawn Bennett, the executive vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. But it has support among many other groups and activists, including Jack Shaner, the deputy director of the Ohio Environmental Council.