Budget panel convenes as deadline approaches

STATE HOUSE — Closed-door negotiations on the fiscal 2017 state budget kicked off Friday morning as six House and Senate lawmakers huddled to begin resolving differences between their competing $39.5 billion spending bills. After meeting for three minutes in open session, the conference committee voted to continue its discussion in executive session.

STATE HOUSE — Closed-door negotiations on the fiscal 2017 state budget kicked off Friday morning as six House and Senate lawmakers huddled to begin resolving differences between their competing $39.5 billion spending bills. After meeting for three minutes in open session, the conference committee voted to continue its discussion in executive session.…