<p>By MARK PITSCH mpitsch@courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal 2004 Kentucky General Assembly Gov. Ernie Fletcher will negotiate with lawmakers on his plan to cut education spending — a plan that touched off an intense debate on the Senate floor yesterday.</p>
<p>For about an hour, Democrats challenged the cuts to public school programs and higher education contained in an order that Fletcher signed Monday, as well as further higher-education cuts outlined at a private meeting with university presidents on Wednesday. Senate Republicans defended Fletcher.</p>