Frankfort Has Little To Do To Get Budget Done
Over at Page One, Jake's concerned that no one is in Frankfort, working on a budget:
Look, folks, here's the deal: NOTHING is happening in Frankfort. Don't get your hopes up for a budget. Rick Rand isn't even in town this week. The Senate isn't doing anything. The House most certainly isn't. And the Governor's office is struggling. Based on the inactivity I've seen in that town this week? The Commonwealth of Kentucky is screwed. We're in for a rude awaking. [Just Saying]
We do not share his concern for three reasons:
First, many legislators plan time off after any session. Some are on vacation, some are home with families, but the two weeks post-session are always dead time.
Second, there's already more leeway on spending since they left town. The Feds are creating $176 deficit dollars to help Kentucky schools pay the bills. More to spend = less spine required.
Third, everyone now agrees on the budget direction except for a few stubborn holdouts. A rumored poll in Frankfort suggests that almost 75% of the population of Kentucky agrees with the Senate/House Republican position. We can't imagine Stumbo's about to shut government down to hold on to his fantasy that government can fix the economy. We also can't really imagine the political upheaval that would have to take place in Floyd county to really make Stumbo in danger, but, hey, David Obey's retiring!
