The House Finance Committee passed the Education Funding Protection Act (HB 318) along party lines on Tuesday. The bill would fill most of an $851 million budget hole by delaying a 4.2% income tax cut that took effect January 1. The budget gap opened up when the Ohio Supreme Court ordered the delay in the implementation of video slots at horse racetracks. The bill also includes a 5% pay cut for lawmakers beginning in 2011. The full House is scheduled to vote on the bill today.

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