Ind. Senate pass Senate bill 1, 32-18

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A budget debate is under way in the Indiana Senate as the special session of the General Assembly heads toward the June 30 deadline.

The budget debate began with discussion of an alternative budget; an emergency spending bill that would allow the governor to operate state government under the existing budget for as long as 2 years.

Republicans want an emergency spending bill as a safety net and the Senate approved the bill Tuesday morning. The vote was 32 to 18 with just one Republican voting no.

Democrats say the measure known as Senate bill 1 reduces the pressure to come up with a budget agreement.

"I do agree that pressure is important. I disagree that the pressure is not here everyday every minute until June 30 to pass a budget. I would suggest that anybody who thinks having Senate bill 1 as an option to a budget passed on June 30 as a good idea, doesn't reside in this chamber. I don't think either side thinks that is a good idea," said Sen. David Long (R-President Pro Tem)

Debate on the Republican version of the budget is now under way in the Indiana Senate.

Passage of the budget by the Indiana Senate will lead to a House/Senate Conference Committee that will be assigned to come up with a final budget compromise.

It could be appointed before the end of the day.