Beshear Weighing Options On Shortfall-Plans To Meet With Obama This Week

By Kentucky Public Radio

Frankfort, KY – Governor Beshear huddled with administration officials over the holiday weekend, continuing the search for ways to address a projected 456-million dollar state budget shortfall. Once his plan comes together, which he says shouldn't be too much longer, he intends to take it to the people. "We're going to move as fast as we can, but we've got to do it responsibly and thoughtfully. And that's what we're going to do. It's a tremendous problem for us and as we all know, it's a tremendous problem all across this country."

Asked if he's still considering calling a special session in January, Beshear replied, "All options are still on the table."

Beshear is headed to Philadelphia to meet with President-elect Barack Obama. He's part of a group of governors from across the nation meeting with the president-elect. "Obviously, one of the main topics is going to be this economy and the condition that the states find themselves in and the kinds of help we need from the federal government in order for us to come through this in the right way."

Beshear says a federal infrastructure stimulus package would help the states and get people back to work. He says Kentucky and other states also need some help with Medicaid and unemployment insurance programs. Beshear says the governors want to make sure the states have a say in what goes into any federal stimulus packages Mr. Obama may offer once he takes office.