COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP): The Latest on an Ohio proposal that seeks to strip government funding away from Planned Parenthood (all times local):
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2:35 p.m.

An Ohio bill that seeks to divert government money away from Planned Parenthood is headed to Republican Gov. John Kasich for his expected signature.

The GOP-led state House cleared the legislation Wednesday as Kasich, a Republican presidential contender, campaigned for the coming GOP primary in South Carolina. Signing the bill might help Kasich with conservatives who dominate the state’s Feb. 20 primary.

Final passage of the Ohio bill comes a day after the New Hampshire primary, where a tough stance against Planned Parenthood might have been received with less enthusiasm by its many moderate Republican voters.

Earlier Wednesday, Planned Parenthood supporters delivered handwritten valentines to state lawmakers in an effort to urge representatives to oppose the bill. They also gave condoms and pamphlets about the organization’s services.
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2 a.m.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich is getting a well-timed opportunity to sign a bill stripping government money from Planned Parenthood.

The Ohio House is poised to clear the bill Wednesday, sending it to the Republican presidential contender for his expected signature. Such a move might help Kasich with conservatives who dominate the coming GOP primary in South Carolina.

The bill’s expected passage comes a day after the New Hampshire primary, where a tough stance against Planned Parenthood might have been received with less enthusiasm by its many moderate Republican voters.

No one is acknowledging that the 2016 presidential calendar might have played a part in when Kasich would get the bill.

Ohio’s House Speaker has said Kasich’s bid has no bearing on the issues that come before his chamber.