Public hearings on the senate version of the operating budget will be held next week, beginning Monday, March 17. Amendments are due for the operating budget by March 19. That schedule will allow the full Finance Committee to take up the bill March 20. Hoffman expects it to be on the floor of the Senate by March 21.

That schedule will allow plenty of time for a House-Senate budget conference committee to work out differences between the versions passed by either body. The House has already passed its version of the operating budget.