Democratic senators to caucus on Rhode Island budget impasse

July 31, 2017 3:43 pm

By: The Associated press

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island’s Senate Democrats are set to caucus to discuss a possible solution to Rhode Island’s months-long budget impasse.

A Senate spokesman says the Monday afternoon caucus is closed.

Rhode Island has been operating without a budget since July 1, after a disagreement between the House and Senate over details of a car tax cut that was the top priority of House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

The House passed a $9.2 billion budget, then Mattiello sent the chamber home after he learned the Senate was planning to amend the budget bill. The Senate passed an amendment to block further increases in reimbursement to towns for lost car tax revenue if state revenue drops.

The stalemate has caused uncertainty in local governments as state government operates at last year’s spending levels.