Kentucky lawmakers worked to lay the groundwork for a one-year, $12 billion budget in the opening days of the session. Now, they're set to return Tuesday to begin negotiations over what the ultimate budget will look like.
In January, Gov. Andy Beshear laid out his hopes for spending in 2021: a sweeping virus relief package with $220 million in small business aid, pay raises for state workers and school employees, and a plan to repay more than $250 million of the state's federal unemployment insurance loan.
Whether any of those ideas gain traction remains to be seen as new and bigger Republican majorities take the reins in the legislature. Senate President Robert Stivers sounded skeptical in early comments on KET.
"Everything sounds good until you put it in the context of sources — one-time dollars versus recurrring dollars, our debt service, structural imbalances, our obligations and what's being said by the respective pension systems," the Manchester Republican said.
In the much-more-likely column are votes to overturn a handful of vetoes from Gov. Beshear, most of which cover bills meant to hem in his executive emergency powers.
Other matters that could also become hot topics in the weeks to come: an impeachment petition against the governor, a bid to rescue historical racing games after an adverse ruling in the courts, and criminal justice reform.
The session runs through the end of March.
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