Stivers and Carroll Comment on ‘Austere’ Budget

It wasn’t just the bad weather that prompted legislators in Frankfort to use caution today.

Senate President Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) and Sen. Julian Carroll (D-Frankfort) both took the opportunity to comment on Gov. Matt Bevin’s forthcoming budget proposal. In speeches that caused the Senate chamber floor to rumble, Stivers said he thinks the budget will be the “most austere” he’s seen in his time in public office. Carroll used strong language as well, calling for reasonable ways to increase revenue in the state.

Here are excerpts of their comments this afternoon.

Gov. Bevin is scheduled to present his budget plan to lawmakers on Tuesday, Jan. 26. You can watch live coverage of the governor’s address to a joint session of the General Assembly that night at 7 on KET.

Follow @ReneeKET on Twitter for updates throughout the day, and for a recap of the full day’s activities, watch Legislative Update, weeknights at 11 on KET. You can also follow the Kentucky General Assembly on KET’s Legislative Coverage app for your smartphone or tablet.