By Tony McVeigh
Frankfort, KY – For the past few days, Kentucky House leaders have been saying they're very close to a state budget agreement. Now, it looks like the wait may be over.
Reporters still haven't seen anything on paper, but House Democrats have given their leaders a green light to proceed with a two-year budget plan that may even have a surplus. Speaker Greg Stumbo calls it a fair budget, with no tax increases and limited sacrifices. "They're fairly miniscule, in comparison to what a 20% budget reduction, looking at a $1.2 billion deficit would have done to our budget had we just went in and slashed and burned and cut."
House leaders are still tying up loose ends on the $17 billion spending plan, but say some of the money cut from university budgets will be restored. The proposal will be shaped into bill form, and a House floor vote appears likely next week.