FY02 budget still up in the air

ith a second, two-week interim budget set to expire this Saturday and legislative budget negotiations continuing, another stopgap measure is likely to fund state operations in the short term.

     Acting Gov. Jane Swift filed a third, two-week budget bill last week as House and Senate budget conferees reported "slow but steady" progress on the $22.9 billion spending plan.

     Once a final budget compromise is reached and approved by the full House and Senate, the governor has 10 days to sign the bill. She can also veto line items or send proposed changes back to the Legislature, which accept the governor's version or attempt to override the changes.

     According to media reports, the conference committee is trying to resolve differences in Clean Elections funding, education spending, and assistance to hospitals.