By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-939215.mp3
FRANKFORT, Ky. – In a wide-ranging interview, touching on issues from furloughs to his latest economic development trip to India, Gov. Steve Beshear is still hoping to win passage of expanded gambling before he leaves office.
"I have not lessened my commitment to do something that will get our horse industry on an even playing field again with all of those other states we're competing with who right now have access to a lot more revenue because of expanded gaming of some type."
Beshear hopes to avoid another round of furloughs in the second year of the current state budget cycle. In the current fiscal year, state employees are taking six furlough days to save $24 million. But Beshear says the economy is showing signs of improvement.
"If the revenues continue to come in and start growing faster, maybe there will be a point when we feel comfortable that we won't need to do that anymore. But quite honestly, the second year of our biennium and the budget in the second year is going to be a real tough budget to balance."
In other comments to reporters on his first three years as governor, Beshear says he continues to work hard to bring more jobs to the Commonwealth, and is proud of administration efforts to keep Kentucky's budget balanced in tough economic times.
Beshear is already running for re-election, with Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson as his running mate.