Legislature Readies For Budget Compromise

Lawmakers from the Ohio House and Senate are readying to start negotiations on the two chambers' budgets. The Senate passed a two-year, $55 billion budget last week, about after the House passed its version. But there are still serious differences that need to be hammered out by a committee appointed by members of both parties. Republican Keith Faber is second in charge in the Senate. "There are probably four or five issues.... one is the pay cut that I championed in the Senate," Faber said. That pay cut would dock legislators pay 5 percent and send the difference to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Speaking on WOSU's All Sides with Ann Fisher on Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mike Skindell argued against it. "As a Democrat I don't need legislation to direct me to make charitable contributions. I already do that," Skindell said. Skindell will be one of two Democrats on the budget conference committee. Along with the pay cut, other sticking points are thought to be abortion language in both budgets and several House-approved changes to charter schools. The state has to approve a budget by June 30.