LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas legislative leaders say they hope to soon end an impasse over the state budget bill that's been delayed over a Republican push to cut more in agency spending.
House Speaker Robert Moore said he hoped a vote could come as early as Wednesday to introduce Gov. Mike Beebe's $4.7 billion budget proposal. The House has delayed a vote on the resolution, which requires 67 votes, after Republicans said they wanted to see more spending cuts.
Beebe, a Democrat, has said the Republican plan to cut $21 million could mean laying off at least 61 state workers and threatening a wide array of services. Republicans say they believe the cuts can be made without layoffs.
Republicans are a minority in the Legislature, but have enough votes to block Beebe's budget.
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