Kaine meets with budget negotiators; Saturday deal questioned

RICHMOND - Governor Tim Kaine met with budget negotiators, who were mixed on whether they thought a deal on the state’s two-year, $78 billion spending plan could be reached by Saturday’s scheduled adjournment.

Kaine pushed once more Friday for expanding pre-K statewide, but House Appropriations Committee chairman Lacey Putney said that wasn’t a priority for Republican negotiators.

Putney, an independent who organizes with the Republicans, said he didn’t think there was any way a deal could be reached by Saturday.

Some Senate Democrats were more hopeful. Senator Edward Houck said he felt there was common ground and that a deal was possible as long as legislators keep working.

The 12 negotiators were expected to meet again Friday afternoon.