The Ohio Senate’s proposed budget axed a new affordable housing tax credit program first introduced by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in his budget.

Those on the ground trying to eradicate hunger in Ohio say the new budget proposal from the state Senate would only exacerbate the problem.

The Senate’s version of Ohio’s two-year operating budget restores some of the funding Gov. Mike DeWine originally proposed to a grant program that helps college students who have the highest level of financial need.

Ohio Senate leaders introduced their version of the new two-year operating budget Tuesday. They expect to vote on the $85.7 billion spending plan next week. Lawmakers have until a constitutionally mandated June 30 deadline to settle any differences and approve the budget.

Public and private education supporters had a mixed bag of reactions to the state budget proposal released by the Ohio Senate GOP on Tuesday.

A bill that would establish “intellectual diversity” centers at Ohio State University and the University of Toledo passed by a 4-1 party line vote in the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee Wednesday.

Two Democrats in the Ohio Senate want to ensure local governments can regulate firearms. State law currently reserves such decisions for the General Assembly — although there has been some pushback in court. Still, given Republicans’ reticence to take any steps that could be seen as limiting access to guns, it seems unlikely the Democratic measure will advance.

University of Toledo law students and Ohio State University professors spoke out in opposition against a bill that would create new centers at both universities that would expand and affirm what sponsors deem “intellectual diversity.”

The Ohio Senate has approved a measure codifying court rules that govern how judges set bond. The step comes after a clause in last year’s cash bail amendment eliminated the courts’ ability to set its own rules.

The cash bail amendment last year brought by Ohio lawmakers and approved in November directing judges to weigh public safety when setting cash bail inadvertently undermined the state’s entire bail system.

The Ohio Senate has approved a bill overhauling how county boards collect and maintain voter data. The vote comes one day after the proposal passed committee and without any of a handful of changes proposed by interested parties.

The Ohio Senate passed a massive higher education bill that would significantly alter college campuses.

A Senate bill is trying to create new centers at Ohio State University and the University of Toledo that expand and affirm “intellectual diversity.”

New versions of the identical, massive higher education bills were adopted last week, but the ban on prohibiting university staff and employees from striking remains.