Highlights of Ohio Gov. Kasich's budget proposal - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

Highlights of Ohio Gov. John Kasich's 2-year budget:

TAX CUTS: Reduces small business taxes by 50%, cuts state income tax by 20% over three years, and decreases sales tax from 5.5% to 5%.

TAX INCREASES: Places taxes on professional services such as lawyers and accountants, and increases tax on large-volume oil and gas drillers.

MEDICAID EXPANSION: Expands Medicaid health care coverage for poor under the new federal health law, making 365,000 more Ohioans eligible.

HIGHER EDUCATION: Puts higher priority on number of students who graduate from public colleges and universities by tying half of state funding to graduation rates, delivering combined $4.7 billion over the biennium.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION: Gives extra $1.2 billion to public school districts, eases disparities in revenues from local property tax levies, and offers more money to districts based on number of poor, special-needs, gifted and college-bound students.

HIGHWAYS: Creates up to $3 billion for road and bridge projects mainly through bond sales backed by future Ohio Turnpike toll revenues.

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