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Budget negotiations in 'stalemate'

JEFFERSON CITY - The Senate Appropriations chairman broke off negotiations with the House for next year's state budget Tuesday night saying there was a "stalemate."

Sen. John Russell, R-Lebanon, said he chose to cancel a scheduled conference committee meeting Tuesday night because House Speaker Jim Kreider refused to appoint negotiators for the bulk of the budget's 12 appropriation bills.

As of Tuesday, Kreider had appointed conferees for only the first two budget bills dealing with debt repayment and elementary education. Russell said Senators wanted to work on other issues.

"Maybe he doesn't know how the process works," Russell said.

Sen. Wayne Goode said the legislature could finish the budget by the May 10 deadline only if Kreider appointed the remaining negotiators.

"If the Speaker would appoint the conferees, we still can get it done," Goode said. "Each day that he waits, the problem grows."

After passing both chambers, the dozen budget bills must be compromised so that the House and Senate can pass identical versions.

Russell said the conference committee would meet again Wednesday morning, but said he hopes Kreider would budge to allow debate on the rest of the budget.