Beshear, legislative leaders meet privately on the budget
Gov. Steve Beshear
FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear huddled with legislative leaders and several members of his staff behind closed doors for more than two hours Thursday in the Capitol to tackle the state’s financial woes.
The Democratic governor said after the meeting that the legislature will continue public hearings on a projected $456 million shortfall in the state budget this fiscal year, which ends June 30, and that he will hold more private meetings with legislative leaders. The legislature’s budget panels have been meeting during the last two weeks.
All state lawmakers are to return Feb. 3 to Frankfort for 26 remaining days of the 2009 General Assembly.
Beshear, Senate President David Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo expressed optimism that the legislature can address the budget problems in the session but did not say how quickly it will be done.
Beshear’s plan calls for raising the state’s 30-cents-a-pack cigarette tax to $1. He has said the legislature should increase the tax by Feb. 15 to get a maximum amount of money for the state this fiscal year.
That would be helpful, but “there isn’t any deadline set but we’re trying to move as expeditiously as we can,” Beshear said.
Williams, R-Burkesville, called the meeting “productive.” He said the projected $456 million shortfall is “an accepted figure” that lawmakers are trying to address.
Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said the House and Senate budget committee will continue to meet separately at least for the first part of next week on the issue and that they will get additional information from the various state cabinets.
He said there was “much discussion” in Thursday’s meeting about the cigarette tax but nothing on his plan to allow video lottery terminals at race tracks.
–Jack Brammer
About the Author: 
Red | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
What are they doing now, instead of wanting to take 1.4% of all State Workers pay do they want more? They have distroyed Vehicle Enforcement, they said that a Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement would be formed and the Weigh Stations would be open more 8 hours aday 5 days aweek. Well they found out that would mean cutting back the hours they where already open to begin with. Go find the office, look at KSP Post 12. The KSP Command was asked why not make KVE Officers Troopers they are all POP Certified? (State Law) just the differance is at the Richmond Acadamy you are not screamed at like a 3 year old as they do at the KSP Acadamy in Frankfort, but you are treated with respect. If they put CVE under 16A you are ****** read chapter 16 real close to see why.
george | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
He can meet with Stumbo and Williams, but he better start meeting with the senior members, because I do not think the Leaders have control and may not get it during the session. The Senior members are a very independent bunch in the Senate and the younger members will watch how they are going to vote..
bigd | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
Governor, Take President Obama’s lead by freezing paticular salaries such as employees higher than $70,000.00. Also, get your Cabinet people in line in relation to lobbyist.
Richard Cranium | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
Sounds like Red is one of the re-directed truck police…….hey Red, what has 18 wheels and is usually speeding down the road overweight? You probably don’t know cause you’re too busy writing four wheelers a ticket for license plate not illuminated.
kyheadhunterzz | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
Did anyone else see our lt. governor drunk on Leno tuesday night?
brenner | Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
Huddling is good. It brings to mind teamwork and game planning. I like it. I am totally confident that all will come to agreement and do what’s right.
Thunder Storm | Jan 23, 2009 | Reply
Kyheadhunter, your an idiot, he wasn’t drunk and neither was John Yarmuth.
Was Mongiardo in these meetings? He was loyal to the Governor during the campaign and like so many Governors, once elected, the Lt Gov. is relegated to nothingness.
You run as a team to govern Kentucky, well do so. The more heads working on our problems, the better.