Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

House, Senate Budget Negotiations Kick Off Friday

Allegra Boverman for NHPR

The start of budget negotiations between the Senate and House start Friday. That means we’re near the end of a months-long process that’s had some surprises this year.

Lawmakers sitting on the Committee of Conference, the one's charged with finalizing the budget, need to sign off on a final version by next Thursday.  

Talking with Republican House leadership – it seems like the version the Senate drafted is in good shape. House Finance Chair Neal Kurk says he expects to spend about three days working through the details and might be able to vote on the final plan early – by Tuesday.

But some Libertarian-leaning Republicans in the House think the proposal needs a lot of work – they think it still spends too much.

None of these members; however, are on the Committee of Conference, the ones who will actually do the work . But members of the Committee say they’ve met privately with different House groups to hear their concerns.  

After it leaves the Committee of Conference, a final plan must clear both chambers by June 22. And if the proposal stays as its written now, the House may again have some trouble. The last time the full House voted on a similar budget plan, they failed to pass anything.

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.