Filed by Michael Cross in Feature, Local News, News, Politics.
February 8, 2010

Negotiations over a supplemental bill for the rest of the 2010 fiscal year might have hit a snag with the Governor’s State of the State Address last week.

Governor Henry is asking lawmakers to use 80% of the Rainy Day Fund or $485 million to fill some holes in the 2010 budget.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee worries using nearly the entire constitutional reserve fund would leave only about $43 million for 2012.

“If you found no additional revenue other than what’s there for the rainy day and the stimulus funds and a few other revenue sources, you still have about an $850 million hole to fill.”

Senator Coffee wants to see only three-eighths of the rainy day fund used or about $225 million for 2010 and 2011, leaving $150 million for 2012.

He also has concerns about the governor’s proposal for revenue increases through collecting sales tax on Internet purchases.