COLUMBUS — Republicans in the Ohio House are hoping to take a new tack in their effort to cut down on government spending and, in turn, taxation, by financially incentivizing local governments to consolidate and merge.

The White House is circulating a proposal that would extend subsidies to help consumers pay for coverage under the Affordable Care Act for two more years. Millions of Americans face spiking health care costs when the current tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year.