Republican Senate leaders say it’s very likely they will make changes to the proposed gas tax increase. But that change was not included in the latest revision to the state’s transportation budget bill.

The House passed a 10.7-cent increase to the gas tax over the next two years. That means a driver would pay 38.7 cents a gallon in state tax when they fill up their tank.

The Ohio House is now streaming more committee hearings online through the purchase and installation of new cameras at the Statehouse. This is part of the new effort to expand transparency in the bill making process. 

Republican House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) and Democratic Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) unveiled the latest committee room to be equipped with robotic cameras. Committee hearings in that room will now be streamed and available on-demand by The Ohio Channel at OhioChannel.org.

Lawmakers got two sets of numbers to think about as they started looking at Gov. Mike DeWine’s $69 billion operating budget for the first time. 

“Conservative” is the word heard over and over when it comes to this budget. Some Republican and Democratic lawmakers have questioned how DeWine can make big investments in children’s initiatives, the opioid crisis, at-risk students and Lake Erie protection just through economic growth.

The federal government has given Ohio the okay to require non-disabled Medicaid expansion recipients to work 20 hours a week unless they’re caregiving, in job training or college or over 50. One state lawmaker is disappointed, because he wanted that age limit to be higher.

Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit against a prescription drug middleman that was working with the state’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. He’s taken the action after an attempt at mediation failed.

As the Ohio House prepares to hold hearings on Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed operating budget, Democratic members want to make sure their priorities are considered. Issues including a higher minimum wage, paid family leave, and health care security are all part of what the Dems call “Ohio Promise.” 

Democrats say their “Ohio Promise” Plan focuses on working families.

The House minority caucus is in an interesting position since half of Republican Speaker Larry Householder’s votes came from Democrats.