By Stu Johnson
Frankfort, KY – The 2nd legislative session of 2010 is off and running. Senate president David Williams sees no big problems with the Governor's compromise spending plan. Hoping to conclude the session before week's end, Williams says both chambers are working quickly on budget bills.
"If we advance it forward it will show the intent of the senate to pass that bill without getting into any kind of situation that would be confrontational or disagreeable," said Williams.
Williams admitted there will be negative impacts on state workers.
"And I guess those that get furloughed will be negatively impacted and I suspect there will be some change in insurance benefits that will impact local and I suspect that there will be some layoffs," said Williams.
The Senate leader still has concerns over the state road plan. He contends the House is unwilling to discuss its financing with the Senate.
"If they're insistent on that approach then we might still come to an agreement if we don't have a road plan to allow the money to go to the cities and counties for the normal maintenance and operational things and for the state barns and the other highways assistance things that we do," said Williams.
Lawmakers will also consider unemployment insurance legislation and an expansion of the liquor sampling law for the World Equestrian Games.