House and Senate conferees get together this week to iron out the differences in the two chambers’ versions of a budget for the 2005 fiscal year. State Budget Director Linda Luebbering will be watching closely. She believes there are two items of contention: Medicaid and higher education. The House proposes cuts to Medicaid – cuts the Senate doesn’t want. And, the Senate wants to add more money to higher education. She says House and Senate conferees can work out their differences – with a lot of hard work. The Senate version calls for $18.8-Billion in spending, while the House version is an $18.6-Billion document. Budget work must be completed by both chambers and sent to Governor Bob Holden by May 7th.
