KY House to Vote on Spending Plan

From Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh The Kentucky House is scheduled to vote today on an 18-billion dollar state spending plan, and the revenue measure that funds it. The House Appropriations and Revenue committee voted unanimously Tuesday for the budget bill, but split 20-9 on the revenue bill that supports it.The revenue measure includes a 25-cent increase in the state’s cigarette tax. Budget chairman Harry Moberly believes the measures will win House approval, but the Senate is another matter."I wouldn’t expect the Senate to accept much of our change, or much of the things we’ve added. I think they’ll either add a few of their own things and not take ours, or they’ll just pass the governor’s budget and do their work in the conference," said Moberly.The House budget committee also approved the legislative and judicial budgets Tuesday. They, too, are awaiting House floor votes. Lawmakers now have 16 days to finish their work before the 2008 session adjourns.