They must do.

And the biggest task facing the Kentucky General Assembly this year is crafting a two year state budget.

Kentucky House Republicans unveiled their proposed budget about three weeks ago.

State Representative Jason Petrie called it a starting point and a bare bones document guaranteed to change before crossing the finish line.

But without any official revisions so far, Democrats, public employees and some Republicans say something's got to give.

Our June Lefler has more.

As we kick off tonight's legislative update.

Today, House Democrats proposed an additional $2 billion to the current Republican spending bill.

House Bill 500.

The Republicans budget proposal is wrong for Kentucky.

The majority so-called starting place has held back $1 billion of general fund revenue at a time when Kentuckians desperately need the help.

This morning, House Democrats filed seven amendments to turn House Bill 500 into a spending plan that helps meet the moment and lifts up all of Kentucky's families rather than pushing them down.

That includes hundreds of millions of dollars for Medicaid, rural hospitals, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Snap, K-through-12 education, and public employee and retiree benefits.

These line items reflect more of what Governor Andy Beshear proposed earlier this year.

That's what the Republicans want is for people to suffer, and their plan involves making poor people do copays.

So the House Democrats were not for that.

We have the money to fully fund Medicaid, and we intend to see it be done.

For the first time ever, we have a Republican budget proposal that threatens to impose a 5% annual cap on the state's contribution to the Kentucky Employees Health Plan.

The state's personnel cabinet issued a warning that this could mean premium increases of up to 78% and with reduced coverage.

Teachers, bus drivers, state troopers and other public servants will pay dramatically more and receive less coverage.

We've all been told Republicans have funded education at record levels, but when indexed to inflation, we're actually spending less than we did 20 years ago.

The House Democrats proposal increases seat funding, raises the per student amount over two years, better fund school transportation, and delivers a meaningful educator and support staff pay raise.

Some Republicans say they want more from the budget bill, too.

State Representative Patrick Flannery wrote on Facebook, quote, I wanted to communicate my position on House Bill 500.

In its current form, I would be a no vote as a legislator and spouse of a teacher.

I am on this plan with my two daughters.

I am confident that necessary changes will be made as this session progresses.

Lawmakers have wrapped 31 days of the 60 day session for Kentucky Edition.

I'm Gene Leffler.

Thank you Jim.

So where would the $2 billion come from?

Well, Democrats say the Republican spending plan leaves more than a billion general fund dollars unused.

And they suggest that they dip into the budget reserve trust fund, or rainy day fund, which could fund Medicaid.

Or they propose raising the state income tax on the wealthiest Kentuckians.