It was announced yesterday that the House and Senate Democrats had agreed on the budget language, but it is apparent that is not the case. While a Senate appropriations committee held a subject matter hearing on the budget bill (SB250, Senate Amendment 1) this morning, a vote was not taken.
It is unclear if the budget bill will be assigned to a Senate standing committee for a public hearing since a subject matter hearing was held, or if the amendment will go directly to the Senate floor for final action. Ultimately there may be additional amendments to be considered. We anticipate learning more once the House Democrats return from their caucus meeting.
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Morning Update
The much-anticipated state budget did not make its expected debut last night.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Governor and Democratic leaders announced they had come to an agreement among themselves and planned to introduce the budget in the Senate that evening, after which it would pass over to the House. That late night move would have allowed the budget bill to be read a first time in the House and expedite its path through the General Assembly, for a possible final vote on Friday night.
It appears rank and files members of the Democratic caucus had other thoughts. The Democratic Senate president finally announced at 11 p.m. last night that they would be unable to address the budget bill that evening and would try again in the morning.
The Senate intends on presenting the budget bill in a Senate Appropriations Committee at 9 a.m. today. Live audio of the hearing in Capitol Hearing Room 212 may be available here shortly before the start of committee.