By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-837334.mp3
Frankfort, KY – With revenue receipts off 12-percent in April and the state likely facing another huge budget shortfall, Governor Beshear is contemplating calling a special legislative session. And if it becomes clear a session is unavoidable, Beshear says he will sit down with House and Senate leaders to try to hammer out an agreement before calling lawmakers back to Frankfort. "And I feel fairly confident that we will end up being able to get both the House and Senate leadership together and figure out a solution to whatever problem we find that we have."
Beshear still wants to hear from the Consensus Forecasting Group, which will meet twice before June. Next Monday, the non-partisan panel of economic experts will take a look at the state's latest revenue figures and other critical data. On May 29th, the panel will offer a new revenue forecast on which possible budget revisions could be based.
Beshear is scheduled to meet with House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark today, to discuss legislation allowing video slot machines at horse tracks in the commonwealth. The bill emerged from a House committee in the 2009 session, but went no further.