Holden Gives No Indication Whether He Will Sign Budget Bills

Governor Holden gives no indication whether he will sign the budget bills the legislature appears ready to return to him. State senators return to the education budget bills today, bills identical to those approved by the House, bills identical to those vetoed by Governor Holden last week. Holden won’t say whether he will relent and sign them. Holden accepted the revamped budget bills funding health, mental health and social services. He rejected bills funding public schools and colleges. Republican legislative leaders have refused to consider changes. Time is running out. The new fiscal year begins Tuesday, July 1st. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway hopes Holden will sign the bills and avoid the legal questions that will arise if there is no bill to fund schools July first. Hanaway says she still has some faith in Governor Holden that he will not push the state over the brink.