COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio House Finance Committee is striking a provision from the state budget that would have allowed for privatization of county jails.

The change was among dozens being hammered out Monday ahead of expected committee approval of the two-year, $71.5 billion spending blueprint.

A substitute version of the budget bill that emerged last week included the language allowing counties to broaden their ability to privatize jails as a cost-saving measure.

The measure expanded counties' existing ability to privatize facilities housing those charged with misdemeanors to those also charged with felonies.

County sheriffs raised concerns that the move could add confusion to duties held by law enforcement and risk public safety, while not saving money.

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