50-50
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.
