Senator David Williams REFUSES Speaker Greg Stumbo's Invitation To Approve A Budget That PLUNGES Kentucky Into "A Death Spiral Of Debt." Thanks, David
Williams says budget deal unlikely
By Tom Loftus
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Senate President David Williams said Wednesday that it’s “pretty much inevitable” the 2010 legislative session will adjourn Thursday without passing a budget.
Speaking on WVLK-AM radio's Jack Pattie program in Lexington, Williams said House Democratic leaders cannot accept the Senate's insistence on deeper spending cuts and no new debt for construction projects.
Williams, R-Burkesville, repeated that the House position would send the state into “a death spiral of debt.”
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, could not be reached for an immediate response.
He released a statement late Tuesday saying he had offered a compromise that would reduce debt and provide for “fundamental infrastructure needs” in what he called “a continuation budget for one year.”
The General Assembly reconvenes at noon Wednesday for the final two days of this year’s regular session. The House and Senate passed different versions of the budget bill, House Bill 290, and have been unable to resolve the differences during the past three weeks.
The major sticking point is that the House budget included $1 billion in borrowing to replace dilapidated schools and for other projects as a way to create jobs, among other things.
The Senate rejected that, and also cut spending for education, Medicaid and other programs below levels proposed by the House. The House was able to do more spending because it had passed a revenue bill that raised $267 million — which the Senate also rejected.
The House has significantly reduced its proposal for borrowing to only $317 million. And on Monday Williams and Stumbo had discussed a new possible compromise that neither has described in detail.
But Williams said Wednesday that Stumbo's fellow leaders rejected that compromise.
He said the latest budget offer from House Democrats, made Tuesday night, still includes hundreds of millions in debt-financed construction projects. He referred to the offer as an ultimatum and said the Senate will “stand firm” against it.
The Kentucky Constitution requires the session to end by midnight Thursday. If no budget is passed, Gov. Steve Beshear would be required to call a special session to pass a budget before the new two-year budget period begins July 1.
Williams said Wednesday that House and Senate leaders must come to a firm agreement on a budget before such a special session is called.
He said if Beshear calls a session before such an agreement is reached, he will adjourn the Senate on the first day of the special session in order not to waste money.
A special session costs taxpayers about $60,000 per day.
By Tom Loftus
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Senate President David Williams said Wednesday that it’s “pretty much inevitable” the 2010 legislative session will adjourn Thursday without passing a budget.
Speaking on WVLK-AM radio's Jack Pattie program in Lexington, Williams said House Democratic leaders cannot accept the Senate's insistence on deeper spending cuts and no new debt for construction projects.
Williams, R-Burkesville, repeated that the House position would send the state into “a death spiral of debt.”
House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, could not be reached for an immediate response.
He released a statement late Tuesday saying he had offered a compromise that would reduce debt and provide for “fundamental infrastructure needs” in what he called “a continuation budget for one year.”
The General Assembly reconvenes at noon Wednesday for the final two days of this year’s regular session. The House and Senate passed different versions of the budget bill, House Bill 290, and have been unable to resolve the differences during the past three weeks.
The major sticking point is that the House budget included $1 billion in borrowing to replace dilapidated schools and for other projects as a way to create jobs, among other things.
The Senate rejected that, and also cut spending for education, Medicaid and other programs below levels proposed by the House. The House was able to do more spending because it had passed a revenue bill that raised $267 million — which the Senate also rejected.
The House has significantly reduced its proposal for borrowing to only $317 million. And on Monday Williams and Stumbo had discussed a new possible compromise that neither has described in detail.
But Williams said Wednesday that Stumbo's fellow leaders rejected that compromise.
He said the latest budget offer from House Democrats, made Tuesday night, still includes hundreds of millions in debt-financed construction projects. He referred to the offer as an ultimatum and said the Senate will “stand firm” against it.
The Kentucky Constitution requires the session to end by midnight Thursday. If no budget is passed, Gov. Steve Beshear would be required to call a special session to pass a budget before the new two-year budget period begins July 1.
Williams said Wednesday that House and Senate leaders must come to a firm agreement on a budget before such a special session is called.
He said if Beshear calls a session before such an agreement is reached, he will adjourn the Senate on the first day of the special session in order not to waste money.
A special session costs taxpayers about $60,000 per day.
Labels: Keeping them honest, Kentucky politics
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 11:11 AM
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