The leader of the Kentucky Senate says he’s anticipating a vote on the state budget Tuesday or Wednesday. But, Senate President Robert Stivers is concerned about leaving enough time to pass a spending plan.
House Democratic leaders initially proposed to borrow more than $3 billion to help resolve the state’s pension debts, but later rescinded that recommendation. Stivers says that change removed at least one area of debate. “I think it was a move that was, by far, more fiscally responsible to put more monies into the pension plans than to try to bond it,” said Stivers.
Although much of Governor Bevin’s spending recommendations are included in the democratic house budget, there are also many changes. For instance, the house restored funding to higher education.
Frankfort Senator and former governor Julian Carrol, says it’s a spending plan that would please many in the commonwealth. “They wanted education funded; and they certainly wanted their health care system operating," Carrol said. "They certainly also wanted money not to be borrowed, the state’s in debt enough.”
Stivers says lawmakers are running out of time to pass a budget in his chamber and then work out a compromise. He’s concerned budget conferees may need to work over the Easter weekend. “I’m sure a lot of my members would love to go home and spend Easter weekend with their families and with their church families, but because of the lateness of the House actions, we may have to forgo that to get it out in the time frame that we have left,” said Stivers.
House members say they were delayed in presenting their version of the budget because some requested information did not come from the governor’s office in a timely manner. Stivers says he would like to allow for time to consider any vetoes by Governor Bevin and still conclude the session by April 12.
Carrol, meanwhile, worries if the governor stands by all of his cuts, passage of a state budget may not come this session. That would result in a special legislative session.
