© 2024 WUKY
background_fid.jpg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Budget Negotiations Stalled Heading Into Break

LRC Public Information

The showdown over the state budget continued Friday with no signs of compromise on the horizon as Democrats dig in their heels against 9 percent reductions for the state's public colleges and universities.

Budget discussions took a breather on the next-to-last working day of the 2016 legislative session as lawmakers prepare for a gubernatorial veto break. Deep divisions remain over about $200 million dollars, which House Democrats use to exempt higher education from budget cuts.

Asked Friday about what it will take to remove the road block, House Speaker Greg Stumbo put the onus entirely on the governor.

"If the governor of Kentucky wants a budget, then all he has to do is direct the Senate to restore the funding cuts to educations because we have the money to not only put more than a billion into the pension fund issue but also to fully fund our public education system," he said.

But universities are already feeling the heat, with Bevin initiating 4.5 percent cuts through the end of the fiscal year. Earlier this week, the governor said pushing the state closer to a special session or government shutdown is irresponsible.

"He is not taking this problem seriously. He needs to do so. Negotiation doesn't mean you take your stance and in fact don't move toward the middle, you move farther in the other direction," Bevin told reporters Tuesday.

Lawmakers will reconvene in mid-April for one final legislative day, leaving them without an opportunity to override any possible vetoes from the governor.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
Related Content