By Tony McVeigh
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky's special session on Medicaid effectively ended late last night. The House has gone home, and won't be returning, but the Senate intends to come back next month. Initially, it looked like the House and Senate were headed for negotiations over differing versions of the Medicaid bill. But after Gov. Beshear sent a letter to the House urging approval of the Senate version, the House agreed on an 86-2 vote. But Speaker Greg Stumbo says Beshear assured the House, he will line-item veto cuts to state agencies, including education.
"My school district, under the Senate proposal - even though it seems so small - would lose about $400,000. And I can't take the chance of allowing that to happen."
The House then adjourned sine die, which means it will not be returning. The Senate adjourned until April 6th, in hopes of overriding vetoes, but veto overrides require majority votes in both chambers. And until both chambers adjourn sine die, lawmakers will continue to be paid.