By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
The first legislative step could take place next week on a state spending plan for the next two years, House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect said.
He said the bill will differ some from Gov. Matt Bevin’s proposal, but when asked about the 70 programs zeroed out by the governor, Osborne declined to discuss specifics until the bill comes out.
“The budget is very, very difficult, as we continue to say,” Osborne said. “Chairman Rudy [Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, the House Budget Committee Chair] has done yeoman’s work and the budget review subcommittee chairs have really done exhaustive work on it to try and find a way to plug as many holes as we can. But it’s going to be a difficult budget.”
The next House Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, but Osborne wouldn’t say if the bill would be taken up then.
He also said the process would be more transparent than in the past.
Osborne addressed the public pension reform bill that was introduced In the Senate this past Tuesday and was asked if he anticipates any amendments from its present form.
“I think there’s been a considerable amount of input into this bill, exhaustive input, as a matter of fact,” he said. “I won’t say that there are no changes that could be made, but I think the changes will be relatively minor.”
Osborne indicated optimism on the chances of the reform bill passing, if it comes over from the Senate with only minor changes.
“We have pretty significant support for it in our caucus,” he said. “I think we will have the votes necessary to pass the bill.”
Osborne also told reporters recommendations from the transportation infrastructure working group, which is expected to meet on Monday, will be announced soon and a bill will be forthcoming.
Monday is the 37th of 60 legislative days for the 2018 General Assembly. One day was cancelled due to winter weather in January, so there are currently only 59 days on the calendar. The final day is April 13.
