The chairman of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee says he’ll take under advisement requests to hold a hearing on Gov. Bill Walker’s proposal to accept federal funds for Medicaid expansion.
But Republican Rep. Mike Hawker says Walker has the ability to pursue his plans regardless of what the committee says.
Republican Sens. Anna MacKinnon and Cathy Giessel, who are committee members, requested Wednesday that the panel hear the matter.
State law lays out a process by which a governor can go to the committee to request to accept and spend additional federal or other program funds. Even if the committee disagrees with the plan, the governor can proceed.
Hawker said Walker has indicated his decision is final and Hawker said there’s nothing of substance for the committee to accomplish.
