Senate GOP plan would keep Indiana government running if budget not passed by June 30

By Patrick Guinane, Times of Northwest Indiana
patrick.guinane@nwi.com

INDIANPOLIS | Sparks flew Friday at the Statehouse when Senate Republicans rolled out a safety net to keep state government running if lawmakers fail to pass a budget by June 30.

"We're sending the message to the public that we can't get our business done," complained Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville. "We're taking the pressure off (of lawmakers). We've got a safety net already down, so why do we need to do any hard work or make any hard decisions?"

Republican Senate President David Long said the continuing appropriation bill he introduced is needed to allow GOP Gov. Mitch Daniels to prevent a state shutdown in the event of a budget impasse.

"We hope that this bill never has to pass," said Long, R-Fort Wayne. "But it would be irresponsible not to have a contingency plan."

Michigan City Rep. Scott Pelath, a lieutenant of Democratic House Speaker Pat Bauer, said he was "absolutely mystified" that Senate leadership would introduce the divisive issue so soon. He said Democrats don't want to even consider the possibility of a stalemate until the July 1 expiration of the current budget nears.

Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman said Daniels needs the back-up plan. She said only essential services, including public safety and Medicaid programs, could continue to be funded past June 30 if the governor isn't given broader spending authority.