Kentucky House and Senate conferees are beginning to work toward reaching agreement on a 21 billion dollar budget. In addition to decisions about funding for education, social services, and corrections, budget language will also be discussed.
The Senate budget plan removed some 60 million dollars to go toward building a new Lexington Convention Center. Lexington Republican House Whip Stan Lee expects the matter to be debated in conference committee.
“As I stand here right now, I can’t predict whether it will be successful or not, but I’m confident it will be discussed,” Lee said.
It’s the first budget conference committee for Lee.
“I don’t think the differences are as insurmountable as people once thought. I think the biggest movement happened when the House passed its version of the budget,” Lee said.
The Senate budget includes provisions for implementing performance funding for higher education. Senate Democratic Minority Floor Leader Ray Jones says that, coupled with proposed funding cuts, is too much.
“It’s hard to say we’ve cut funding for education in the general assembly over the last several years and we’re gonna cut you this year and then cut you even more if you don’t reach certain benchmarks. I mean that’s not the way we need to be doing this,” Jones said.
Come Monday, House and Senate budget conferees will likely still have some budget decisions to make. Lawmakers must pass a budget by April 15.
