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Consensus on Kentucky Budget Still Not Within Reach

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Work continues at the state capital to reach agreement on a two year budget, but it appears consensus is still not within reach.

Budget conferees gathered this morning around a large table, House members on one side and Senate members on the other. While considering many aspects of the two year spending plan, lawmakers have made few firm decisions. 

House Speaker Greg Stumbo admits progress is hard to come by.

"Everybody has some stake in the outcome or the projects or the wording or the language or the appropriation of the cut wouldn't have gotten to be an issue in the first place,” he said.

The conference committee broke up abruptly before noon over a renewal of discussion about cancer screening.  Senate President Robert Stivers says the questions involve the impact of the federal Affordable Care Act.

"We want to know how effective Obama Care is and what people will fall through the cracks and what safety nets to the safety nets we're gonna have to have,” he said.

Stivers adds it's not unusual for emotion to be involved in a process like this.

House leaders continue to say a final vote on the state budget may not come until the middle of next week.  Senate leaders remain steadfast in sending members home Monday. ?

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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