House, Senate continue budget talks with little agreement

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Lawmakers resumed their third day of budget talks Thursday, with flashes of tension between the House and Senate and few of their fiscal differences resolved.

Budgeteers spent Thursday scouring their budgetary differences but few things were settled when talks broke for the night. They did, however, agree to at least consider certain proposals that could give the state millions more to work with over the next two years.

“I have hope, I’m an eternal optimist,” House Speaker Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, said. “I think we can get it done.”

With the legislative clock ticking, more than 20 legislators huddled around a conference table in the Capitol Annex to continue the tedious process of examining each appropriation in which the two chambers disagree in an effort to find common ground. They’ve set a goal to finish deliberations by the weekend.

By law, the General Assembly must adjourn by April 15.

Kentucky is facing economic projections of a $900 million revenue shortfall over the next two fiscal years beginning July 1.