andbudget negotiators remain at an impasse on what鈥檚 become the main barrier to reaching an agreement: finding a way to fund veterans鈥� homes.
The House this week passedcurrently designated for early childhood programs, and replace it with money from a tobacco settlement. The Senate has so far refused to take up the measure. (R, Kansas City) accuses (R, Dexter) of playing games.
鈥淚t鈥檚 disappointing, it鈥檚, you know, pick your adjective," Silvey told reporters Thursday after the House adjourned for the week. "Some come to mind that I would probably not want my daughter to read in the paper.鈥�
Mayer, meanwhile, has criticized both Silvey and (R, Columbia) for meeting behind closed doors.
"I think it's unfortunate that we've not had public conference committee hearings at this point, but I'm confident that we will work through the issues and that we'll have a budget for the state of Missouri by May 11th," Mayer said.
A Senate committee has approvedwhich would also shift casino fees to veterans home, but it also contains a provision to cut off all state funding to the at the .
Budget conferees are set to meet again on Monday. Thehas to pass next year's state budget by Friday, May 11th, one week before the end of the 2012 regular session.
