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Kentucky Senate Debate on Budget Includes Discussion on Process

LRC Public Information

Senate consideration of the state budget Tuesday concluded with the measure passing generally along party lines with Democrats voting against the bill and Republicans for the spending plan. The floor debate which preceded the vote featured an often-heard refrain in Frankfort. 

The budget passed in the Senate 26 to 11 and included many of the cuts suggested by the governor but no tax increases as in the House approach.  The measure, constructed primarily by GOP leaders, came out of committee just hours earlier. 

Minority Floor Leader Ray Jones said little time to study the bill reminded him of Washington politics. “It’s a shame that that’s come to this state.  I was born here and raised here.  I’m raising my kids here and they deserve better than this,” said Jones.

Following the session, Senate President Robert Stivers said Democrats used the same process when they were in power years ago. “When the shoe is on the other foot, it’s so bad, when that’s exactly where it has been done, how it’s been done, and how we took the lead from,” noted Stivers.

Members from both sides of the aisle agree that the process continues as conferees from both chambers will meet to iron out budget differences.  That work is expected to start Friday.

© 2018 WEKU

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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