COLUMBUS, Ohio — Lawmakers are continuing to negotiate over the state’s operating budget with only one day to go until the deadline — Friday. House Speaker Jason Stephens and Senate President Matt Huffman have different priorities but they want a balanced budget.

Huffman said the Senate could be open to removing the higher education reform proposal as part of the negotiation process. He said it is likely that giving the governor authority over K-12 education is a provision that could stay in the final version of the budget.

The House chair of the Finance Committee said there are still important details to work through. Throughout the negotiation process, he said they went from nearly a 28-page document to only four pages. 

"The two major things that he and I, the six of us, talked about were the tax cut package and how that works and the K-12 funding," Huffman said. 

Lawmakers are also working through criminal justice provisions impacting the future of Ohioans. Ohio's Good Samaritan Law grants people immunity for a minor drug possession if an individual calls 911 to seek help. Modifications to the law are being discussed. 

People can claim immunity more than two times in Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine had previously proposed to get rid of the language allowing individuals to claim immunity over two times. The language for immunity was maintained in the House's version of the budget. However, the Senate removed the language in their version of the budget. 

The language is a small detail currently being negotiated among lawmakers in conference committee. They are also addressing funding for the Next Generation 911 service. The Senate wants to appropriate a set rate of nearly $45 million in the budget to go toward the 911 service line. It’s just one of several sticking points legislators are working through.

"I know everyone wants to know what's going on," said State Rep. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville. "I can tell you that there are some good and some bad, some things we like from the House, some not. But that's part of negotiations, and I think we're checking things off the list as we go. And we're we've got the list narrowed down." 

"I'll say I know it's more interesting to talk about what's in the budget, what's not what's in the budget," said Huffman. "What's not is we really don't know until we vote on it. I'm optimistic that our choice plan will remain in the budget." 

Meanwhile, the Senate's version of the budget could ban the sale of some flavored tobacco products statewide. But there's an exception for menthol flavored products. Lawmakers are negotiating this regulation. The provision would undo local tobacco regulations. 

It's not clear whether the provision will remain in the finalized version of the budget as negotiations take place. 

"The federal government and the FDA said that we can sell," Huffman said, "and I think that's kind of where the governor and sort of the negotiations we had, and we're fine with that. When I say we, I think generally the Senate, but I think the House is fine with that, too. The problem with that is that it eliminates a number of other products at shops that aren't owned by giant tobacco companies. And in fact, at least as explained to me, products that are sold with much less nicotine in them than the products sold by big tobacco. I think we all agree that we don't want products being sold to minors that have nicotine in them." 

There are many provisions in the operating budget still under discussion, and the public will find out the fine details as the deadline looms. 

Due to Gov. Mike DeWine needing time to review any budget sent to his desk, Edwards said lawmakers will most likely have to pass a temporary plan before tomorrow.