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Vice President JD Vance used a speech in his home state on Monday to promote the GOP’s sweeping tax-and-border bill as a small group of protesters outside a northeast Ohio steel plant brandished signs critical of the administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Ohio House Finance committee members will continue to vet the amendments in hearings this week, with a full floor vote tentatively scheduled next Wednesday.

Republicans are considering adding a $600 million package of state-backed bonds for a $3.4 billion domed stadium and development for the Cleveland Browns to the Ohio budget.

Gov. Mike DeWine’s proposed tax increases on cigarettes, gambling operators and marijuana appear likely to be cut from the budget by House Republicans.

Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) is proposing establishing an Ohio personal income tax deduction for gym and other personal training costs that total $1,500 or less per year.

DeWine said he believes the projected increased revenue from the tax should go to a dedicated pool for the future construction and renovations of Ohio’s professional major and minor league stadiums, as well as youth athletic programs.

A recent Ohio Chamber of Commerce study hinted at a renewed focus on legislating local taxes, which the chamber says can be cumbersome for businesses to administer.

There are more than a dozen bills meant to help deal with property tax affordability in Ohio, but none of the big ones are close to passage.

Republican lawmakers who touted $3.1 billion in tax cuts in the budget that took effect last July said higher-than-expected refunds are leading to Ohio's lagging tax collections.

April 15 is the peak, but of course tax season started weeks ago when W-2s and other paperwork was sent out in Ohio and across the country.