Published: June 30, 2009 11:17 am         

NEW: Shutdown looms as Indiana lawmakers consider budget

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s state agencies are preparing for a government shutdown even though officials hope lawmakers will pass a new budget by midnight today when the current budget expires.

Without a budget or a backup spending plan, most of state government would stop running. The state Board of Finance was prepared to meet Wednesday to keep prisons and state police running.

Campers at state parks learned today they would have to leave at midnight if no budget is passed because park workers would not be there. Bureau of Motor Vehicles license branches would shut down, but the BMV’s database would stay active so police officers could verify driver information.

Lawmakers were expected to vote on a budget today, but it’s unclear whether it would pass.