House-Senate budget conferees decided to cancel today's scheduled meeting of the legislature so they could keep trying to hammer out a state budget compromise. Both House Speaker Jody Richards and Senate Majority Leader Dan Kelly say it will be difficult to come up with a compromise budget by midnight tonight and taking time out to have both chambers meet in full session wouldn't help. The budget negotiators need to finish their work by midnight tonight in order to get a budget bill printed and in the hands of all lawmakers by 6 p.m. Wednesday, giving the House and Senate just six hours to pass a budget or face the possibility of leaving no time to overturn possible gubernatorial vetoes of any budget items.

There are now 4 days left in the 2008 Legislative Session. Speaker Richards says lawmakers will meet Tuesday and Wednesday of this week as well as April 14th to pass bills. April 15th will be the 60th, and last, day of the session and will be reserved for considering any bills the governor may have vetoed.

Richards also says the revenue the conference committee is working with will not adequately fund education, universities and social services but passing a lean budget is more important. He says the cuts to universities will not reach the 12% level in the governor's original budget plan but acknowledges that there will be cuts. I'll have a live report from Frankfort tonight at 5 and 6 on WHAS11 News.