By Tony McVeigh
Frankfort, KY – House and Senate negotiators in Frankfort appear very close to an agreement on how to balance Kentucky's Medicaid budget. House conferees offered a plan to close a $166 million deficit without across-the-board cuts to state agencies, as recommended by the Senate. A counter-proposal by the Senate still includes across-the-board cuts, but they're smaller says Senate President David Williams.
"I'm optimistic that we've put forth a fair budget offer that will protect the fiscal situation in Kentucky as much as possible."
But the Senate plan still cuts education, which doesn't sit well with House Speaker Greg Stumbo. The two sides will sit down again this morning to try to reach a final agreement that can be voted on by the House and Senate later in the day. If that occurs, the session would then take a 10-day veto recess, with one day remaining for veto overrides.