(AP) Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has vowed not to call legislators back to Frankfort should they fail to approve a two-year operating budget by Friday.
Bevin said he would not reward lawmakers’ inability to do their jobs by paying them more money. The Legislative Research Commission estimates it would cost taxpayers $62,784 per day.
If lawmakers don’t pass a budget and Bevin does not call them back for a special session, parts of state government would shut down on July 1. Bevin said many programs near and dear to people’s hearts would not be funded.
He said Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo would be to blame.
House and Senate budget negotiations resumed just as Bevin made his remarks. Stumbo spokesman Brian Wilkerson said it could be some time before Stumbo could respond.