COLUMBUS — The Ohio House was preparing to pass a $44.9 billion budget bill late Wednesday that contained a $1.4 billion fix to the state's school funding system.

        The two-year spending plan was expected to advance to the Senate on a party-line vote sometime Wednesday evening or early this morning. Most Democrats in the majority Republican chamber were expected to vote against the plan, to protest budget cuts to higher education and other state agencies.

        The House Finance Committee passed the plan on a 21-11 vote at about 6 a.m. Wednesday after Republican members approved several last-minute changes.

        One of the most significant was an amendment that would delay the shutdown of Ohio's 56 walk-in employment offices until January. Gov. Bob Taft had ordered those offices closed by July 1 so they could be replaced with an automated toll-free phone system.

        Another change would force the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to approve water, air and land permits if the agency fails to deal with them within 90 days. A third amendment would let county mental retardation and developmental disabilities boards use local property tax revenues to securean extra $150 million in federal funds each year.

        Those changes come on top of about $600 million in cuts House lawmakers made to Mr. Taft's proposed budget to help erase a funding shortfall and offer more money for schools.

        Lower than expected income and sales tax revenues forced lawmakers to roll back or eliminate millions Mr. Taft originally promised state agencies.

        The biggest budget loser was higher education, which saw more than $150 million in funds evaporate for universities.

        Some of that money will help the state spend an extra $1.4 billion over the next two years on schools. The plan is intended to satisfy an Ohio Supreme Court ruling that ordered the General Assembly to find a way to narrow the gap between poor and rich public schools.

        While the Senate has agreed to the outline of the House's proposed budget and school-funding plans, the proposal faces further changes. Senate President Richard Finan, R-Evendale, said he's concerned about some of the House's spending decisions.

        Chief among those concerns are proposals that would let agencies access up to $150 million in “rainy day” funds over the next two years to cover Medicaid costs and computer upgrades.

        Mr. Finan also objects to a proposal that would offer legal amnesties to income-tax scofflaws if they pay up. The amnesty program would help the state raise an estimated $22 million over the next two years.

Shirey bails out
Two previous city managers pushed out
PULFER: Shirey voted off
Profiling suit to be mediated
Police to track race in stops
Parimutuel clerks put out to pasture
Clerks watch as machines take over
House acts to increase savings
Runway unlikely to boost fares
County, Bengals go halves on suit
Budget tweaked, ready for a vote
What's in proposed Ohio budget
Faithful respond to city's troubles with prayer
Five men charged in cocaine bust
Food charity pushed
Goetta life, Kentucky 'evangelist' preaches
Grant speeds a skateboard park
Levy lets CPS plan bigger budget
Loveland marks end to construction
Mason fire chief defends actions
Neighbors, plant go over fine print of air, noise pact
School ordered to clean up mold
Security heavy for Derby week rap concerts
Seniors going to the prom
Serial bank robber strikes again, police say
Straight talk at Freedom Center
Student charged in threat
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report