By Associated Press
Frankfort, KY – Republican Senate President David Williams says he will end Kentucky's legislative session on Wednesday, 12 days earlier than scheduled.
Williams said the move will save Kentucky taxpayers some $800,000 that would have otherwise been used for lawmakers' wages and expenses while also forcing Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and House Democrats to act swiftly to resolve an impasse in negotiations to balance the state's Medicaid budget.
House and Senate lawmakers have been trying to work out a compromise on Beshear's proposal to balance the Medicaid budget by shifting $166.5 million from next year's appropriation to be used this year. Williams wants across-the-board cuts to all government programs.
Talks broke down among House and Senate negotiators Tuesday evening with no additional discussions scheduled.