Senate President Pete Kelly gives a statement on the budget on Thursday. Kelly wants legislative leaders to focus on the budget. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman\/KTOO and Alaska Public Media) <\/p>\n
Leaders from both chambers of the Legislature met behind closed doors Thursday as they tried to reach a budget agreement. <\/p>\n
But there was little public progress. <\/p>\n
Listen now <\/p>\n
The 30-day special session will end Friday and the House and Senate majorities remained far apart. <\/p>\n
Fairbanks Republican Senate President Pete Kelly saidleaders should focus on the budget. <\/p>\n
The highest priority we have in the Senate is to avoid a government shutdown and that means we have to pass an operating budget, Kelly said. The consequences of a government shutdown are devastating. A lot of people think it just affects the public sector, but thats not true. Its the private sector as well. <\/p>\n
Kelly singled out the states fishing industry as an example of an important business sector likely to be damaged by a shutdown. <\/p>\n
Dillingham Democratic House Speaker Bryce Edgmon was in a caucus meeting Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday evening, he said the House majority wanted to reach an agreement on a long-term plan to balance the amount the state government spends with what it receives. <\/p>\n
Our caucus has taken a very difficult, but we think appropriate, position in that we want to get a responsible budget in place this year, Edgmon said. We do not want a shutdown. But we also do not want to be back in this situation again next year. <\/p>\n
Kelly saidits still possible to reach an agreement tonight and tomorrow. <\/p>\n
If that doesnt happen, Gov. Bill Walker is likely to call lawmakers into another special session. The Legislature must pass a budget before July 1 to prevent a shutdown. <\/p>\n
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With one day left in special session, little public progress on budget - Alaska Public Radio Network<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Senate President Pete Kelly gives a statement on the budget on Thursday. Kelly wants legislative leaders to focus on the budget Continue reading