FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Republican Senate President Robert Stivers says lawmakers are making progress toward an agreement on how to spend more than $65 billion in public money over the next two years.
House and Senate leaders met Wednesday morning in a secret meeting for about an hour before pausing for a break. Stivers told reporters it was one of the most productive hours he has in the negotiations thus far. Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo did not speak to reporters.
After two days of fruitless talks, lawmakers signaled Tuesday they might be closer to a deal when they agreed to convene the full House and Senate on Friday at noon. That would give lawmakers time to approve a budget deal while preserving their ability to override any potential vetoes.