Lawmakers may open budget talks
By JOE BIESK
Associated Press Writer
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) _ When legislative leaders met to hammer out the final details of a state budget two years ago, windows were covered with paper, hallways were roped off and state police troopers stood guard.
That may not be the case this year. Top-ranking lawmakers say they may be opening up their budget talks.
House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said last week he'd push to open the discussions following comments by his legislative counterpart Senate President David Williams.
"I would like to conduct it in the open if we can do that. Now, I don't know whether we can do that and come to any conclusion or not," Richards said. "But I have no problems with having every bit of it in wide open view of the public and press."
Hours later Williams, R-Burkesville, said through an aide, Lourdes Baez-Schrader, that he would agree to the meetings being open.
The move follows comments Williams made last week in which he questioned Rep. Harry Moberly's involvement in making spending decisions for Eastern Kentucky University, an institution where the key House budgeteer is employed as a vice president. Moberly fired back, calling the Senate's leading Republican an "egomaniacal dictator."
Whether the verbal sparring helps lawmakers craft a budget with a looming $900 billion revenue shortfall remains to be seen. What's certain is the legislative clock is ticking.
"I am bitter about it, but I'm going to put that aside and go in and act in good faith," Moberly told reporters last week, "and not go in there with a chip on my shoulder."
In recent years, lawmakers have twice left town without passing a budget.
Negotiations between the House and Senate deteriorated in 2002 over whether the state should fund public financing in gubernatorial elections. In 2004, former Gov. Ernie Fletcher's proposed tax code overhaul became the insurmountable sticking point.
This year, lawmakers have the added pressure of a looming $900 million projected revenue shortfall because of sagging tax revenue and soaring government expenses.
For complete story, see today's Ledger & Times
Story created Mar 24, 2008 - 12:26:16 EDT.
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