INDIANAPOLIS – Budget negotiations continued behind closed doors Monday as Senate leadership sought additional cuts than they previously proposed in their own spending plan just weeks ago.

Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said it wasn’t a veiled veto threat from Gov. Mitch Daniels that has caused Senate Republicans to want to reduce spending in the two-year budget.

Instead, more bad news from the auto industry and declining state revenue in April have forced them to re-examine the bottom line.

“We obviously feel that we need to address the most recent news in the last couple weeks on the economy. It is not good,” Long said. “It’s again sobering for all of us to recognize this has a ways to go before it bottoms out. We have to reflect that in our budget.

“We’re doing the best we can. House Democrats are trying as well. And we’ll let our negotiators hammer through some tough discussion here in the next 24 hours and see where we are.”

The session ends at midnight Wednesday.

Local laws’ fate blocks dog breeder measure

One key issue continues to block a compromise among lawmakers trying to negotiate a deal on a bill to regulate commercial dog breeders.

House Bill 1468 would tighten Indiana’s animal cruelty laws while also regulating the dog- breeding industry for the first time to crack down on “puppy mills,” where some dogs have been abused and neglected.

Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, introduced a new conference committee proposal Monday that made a dozen changes. But he refuses to budge on a provision invalidating local animal cruelty ordinances that might be stronger than a new state law. “That’s one of the most critical aspects of the bill – a uniform law from one end of the state to another,” he said.

But Rep. Linda Lawson, D-Hammond , the author of the bill and chairwoman of the conference committee, said it’s unacceptable to keep that provision, noting she has relented on several major parts of the bill already.

“To not pass something in this session would be criminal – absolutely criminal,” she said.

Opponents fear the regulations go too far and provide an opening to regulate livestock production.

Teen driver bill down to one issue

Lawmakers trying to hash out a deal on a teen driving bill have one major snag left to address – at what age teen drivers should get their license.

In the original version of Senate Bill 16, teens taking driver’s education could get their license at 16 years and 6 months, while those without driver’s education would have to wait until age 17.

But House Democrats did not like making teens wait that long – especially kids in urban areas who might not be able to afford driver’s education. So they passed a bill allowing all teens to get their license at 16 years and six months.

Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, said he is concerned that there is no incentive to take driver’s education and legislators are working on possible compromises.

Other parts of the bill already have been agreed on, including a cell phone ban for drivers younger than 18.

nkelly@jg.net