It’s a make or break day for legislation as the General Assembly concludes its final day of voting before briefly reconvening in April.
A host of bills are winding their way to passage on what’s known as “Concurrence Day.” House and Senate leaders often work into the wee hours to hammer out compromise versions of bills.
"I'm hoping today that the executive branch budget will be passed, along with the legislative and judicial branch budgets, and from there we'll move forward, get that done tonight," Senate President Robert Stivers told reporters.
Lawmakers came to agreement on the budgets following animated negotiations on Saturday that stretched in the early morning. House Speaker Greg Stumbo was asked Monday what broke the logjam.
"Some would say it was the almost fisticuffs that occurred early that morning, but I'm not so crass as to say that. I really believe that it was a breakthrough for the General Assembly to kind of come together and not let Washington gridlock permeate those negotiations," he said.
Other measures expected to land on the Governor’s desk include an amended heroin bill and $1.5 million for Rupp Arena project planning – far less than the $65 million in bonding requested by Mayor Jim Gray.
Lawmakers will return to Frankfort for two days after the governor's veto window closes to attempt any overrides and pass last minute business.
