Indiana

50-50

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

My very reliable sources are telling that as of this morning, there’s a 50/50 chance Indiana lawmakers can avoid a government shutdown next week.

Some Indiana lawmakers are meeting this weekend in order to work out a budget deal.

When asked on a scale of 1 to 10 the likelihood of avoiding a government shutdown, my source close to the negotiation told me “5.”

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels outlined draconian measures that would be taken in the event of a government shutdown, including furloughing more than 30,000 state employees and the closing down of casinos.

Lawmakers are mainly divided over school funding.  Republicans are pushing a formula where the money follows the student, while Democrats want to see a distribution in more a district-based manner.

I’ll keep you posted as I get more information.  Legislators have until midnight Tuesday to pass a budget.

On a side note, Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita says his office will stay open on volunteer-skeleton basis for anyone who needs the office’s services.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on June 27, 2009 (boomark / email).