FRANKFORT — The General Assembly opted to “go home and cool off” after a rancorous special session that ended, like its annual session, without a state budget.

        A new, two-year budget cycle begins July 1. Gov. Paul Patton indicated he would summon the legislature back to Frankfort before then, assuming an advance agreement between Republicans who control the Senate and Democrats who run the House.

        “When they do that, I will call another special session,” Mr. Patton said in a statement late Wednesday.

        In a floor speech Wednesday night, Majority Leader Greg Stumbo of Prestonsburg broke the news to the House that talks between the two chambers had ground to a halt. Remaining in session would be pointless, he said.

        “Let's go home and cool off a few days,” Mr. Stumbo said. “It's time leveler heads prevail.”

        Mr. Stumbo also said there was “no sense in pointing fingers,” but Mr. Patton and his Republican archrival, Senate President David Williams, were in no such conciliatory mood.

        Mr. Patton said the special session “failed because of the Republicans' attempt to change the rules in the middle of the game.” Mr. Williams said Mr. Patton was wrong to call a special session in the first place and compounded his mistake by continually criticizing Senate Republicans.

        Mr. Patton said Senate Republicans raised the issue of doing away with Kentucky's system of partial public financing of gubernatorial campaigns late in the legislature's annual session, which ended April 15, because they knew they could not win repeal under ordinary legislative procedures.

        He also said the Senate majority tried to hold the budget hostage to get its way. “It was wrong to use those tactics in the regular session, and it was wrong to use those tactics in the special session,” Mr. Patton said.

        Mr. Williams said Senate Republicans opposed a special session from the beginning and called it a “waste of public funds.” He also said Mr. Patton was to blame for the failure to develop a budget.

        “Every time during the session when it appeared we were making some progress toward some sort of agreement, the governor would intervene and go down and speak to a caucus and whip up the troops,” Mr. Williams said.

        Mr. Patton noted that it is the legislature's responsibility to pass a budget and it failed. Mr. Stumbo said negotiations will proceed away from the glare of a special session.

        Mr. Patton said it now falls to the Senate GOP leadership to present a budget plan that is agreeable to the House and him. Only Mr. Patton can call a special session, and he retains the authority to veto any bill that is produced.

        As it has all along, the breakdown occurred over public financing of elections.

        House Democrats said they wanted to retain a system that effectively encouraged candidates to accept the spending limits contained within public financing. They insisted on a provision to give more public money to a general election candidate who accepts public financing if the other candidate declines the system and exceeds the spending limit.

        Senate Republicans insisted they opposed any form of “welfare for politicians.” During negotiations, they also agreed to provide millions in public money for campaigns during, but wanted to virtually eliminate the restrictions during general elections.

        “The Republicans think if we have a cash-and-carry campaign, they think they can have a better shot,” said House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, D-Louisville.

        Disagreement over public financing ended the regular General Assembly session on April 15 without a budget.

Lenders add up Erpenbeck exposure
Builder lays off most of its staff
In-your-face art sparks talk
Covington Catholic grieves for 2001 alum
Gays in ministry issue ignites fight in Presbyterian churches
Roach put back on streets
New report affirms police findings on Roach
Mental health levy gets big push
Premature births among blacks targeted
Reds prepare to show off park
Street closings given for Sunday's Flying Pig
Tristate A.M. Report
Volunteers repaid for helping out
BRONSON: Burnet Avenue
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: HIV as weapon
WELLS: Freedom of the press
Butler judges push for security
Court reporters needed for Butler Co.
Fenwick High site in dispute again
Leave park be, citizens tell planners
The Elms hotel to open by July
Special session collapses
UK in top 50 in spending on research