COLUMBUS — Ohio lawmakers want to help more businesses get started, but some are not sure the state can afford it.

        An economic development bill offers a variety of tax incentives designed to help new Ohio businesses and help major employers retain jobs.

        While no one is questioning the motives of the bill — it passed the House 98-0 Wednesday — some wonder if the state budget can take another hit.

        Much of that concern is coming from the Senate, which should soon begin hearings on the measure.

        “There are a lot of good things in the legislation, but we have to be cognizant that we can't sign onto anything that is going to be cost-prohibitive,” said Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

        Ohio, under the bill, would lose an estimated $20 million in revenue next fiscal year, and up to $24 million in each of the following years. Plus, implementing the new tax credits would cost an estimated $16 million per year.

        This comes at a time when lawmakers are scrambling to deal with a $1 billion revenue shortfall and a Supreme Court order requiring another $2.4 billion in education spending.

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