Republican State Senators Holding Out on Budget Vote

By Matt Kling
Published: Monday, May 13, 2019 - 9:32am

Several Republican state senators are holding out on voting on a state budget because they want other legislation advanced.

Paul Boyer said he won’t vote until his bill gets passed. Boyer’s bill would allow adults sexually assaulted as children more time to sue attackers. Meanwhile, Michelle Ugenti-Rita said she’s holding out over her bill to repeal a vehicle registration tax. Lastly, Kate Brophy McGee is holding out because she said the budget is forsaking kids care and universities.

Senate President Karen Fann said the ultimatums from her fellow Republicans are nothing new.

“A lot of people use this as a negotiating tool because they know that their vote is worth something," Fann said, "and you got to deal with it. At some point, we’ve got to pass a budget, so somebody’s going to have to come to the table.”

Fann said she hopes she can get some support from Senate Democrats on budget negotiations.

By law, a new budget must be passed by June 30.

Politics