Dozens of sheriffs are in Richmond asking House budget negotiators to agree to new fees to help fund public safety.

The Senate has proposed more than $168 million in new fees to help fund sheriffs, local and state police through 2012. Sen. Janet Howell said Tuesday that House budget negotiators will not budge on their stance against new fees on court filings and property and casualty insurance premiums.

Negotiators have been meeting since last week to try to reconcile a $4-billion budget shortfall. They are supposed to have their work finished by Saturday, the last day of the 60-day session.

Howell said Senate budget negotiators were not willing to give up on the chief priorities, including public safety, just to meet Saturday's deadline.

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