Kenley explores doomsday option
FRANKLIN, IND. – Indiana Senate Appropriations Chair Luke Kenley said at a press conference before Franklin College journalism students today that he has asked for a legal opinion about whether state government can tap into its $1.3 billion in cash reserves if the General Assembly cannot reach budget agreement by the June 30 close of the budget year.
Indiana’s Constitution prohibits the state from borrowing money to continue state government operations without a budget.
“We are in uncharted territory,” Kenley said. “I want to know what the options are.”
Kenley then said that the state’s cash reserves could only keep the state operating for another “30 to 35 days.”
After that, Kenley said, he doesn’t know what the state can do.
“I’m not even sure we can do this,” he said. “That’s the reason I asked.”
