Legislature Ready To Take Action On Budget Shortfall

The legislature didn't do anything publicly toward bridging an estimated $1.3 billion budget shortfall.

The public may see some movement Thursday when the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget meets.

Leaders are still at odds over how much money to borrow to keep the government running. The governor is refusing to speak publicly on negotiations, but she has said she wants to borrow $500 million. Legislators said that's too much. 

The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget will take up several bills Thursday, three or four dealing with tax credits. One could do away with the double exemption for state income taxes. That could save the state roughly $87 million per year.