Budget Battle Heats Up In House

Just over a week remains for state lawmakers to put together a $19-Billion state budget for the next fiscal year. House Republican Leader Catherine Hanaway of Warson Woods criticizes Speaker Jim Kreider for delaying the appointment of budget negotiators. Kreider has stated he wants the Legislature to decide on fully funding public schools before moving on to the rest of the budget. Hanaway says his stance if off-base. As for Kreider, he calls Hanaway’s statements outrageous and says she shouldbe working with her fellow Republicans to solve the budget crisis, not holding news conferences to criticize him.