Lawmakers would like to have a budget compromise by Sunday night, which would give staff enough time to sort through the lengthy two-year spending plan in time for a final vote Tuesday.
Friday, House Speaker Greg Stumbo released details about a new House-authored compromise that allows 2 percent budget cuts for higher education in the first year of the biennium, with appropriations remaining flat the second year.
"This proposal maintains the Kentucky House Democratic Caucus’s commitment to public education while attempting to move the budget process forward,” the House leaders said. “As for current-year cuts, those are being reviewed by the Attorney General, and we continue to believe the governor does not have the authority to take this step. We believe that matter should be left up to the courts.”
University presidents from around the state also held talks with Gov. Matt Bevin and House and Senate leaders Wednesday.
Reacting to the latest proposal, Senate President Robert Stivers issued the following statement:
“We appreciate the efforts from everyone who has dedicated their time from both sides in working to resolve our differences on the state budget. We also appreciate that the House has agreed that some level of participation is needed from our postsecondary institutions in order to address our state’s ailing pension systems.
“However, university presidents have signed a written letter stating that they are willing and able to go along with the Senate’s middle-ground compromise of a 4.5 percent reduction over the next two fiscal years."
Should weekend negotiations fail, lawmakers could push the final working day all the way to Friday – at which point the legislative session would reach its constitutionally mandated endpoint. If an agreement isn't forthcoming, that could trigger a special session costing taxpayers more than $300,000.
