Beshear's Office Going Over Spending Cut Proposals

By Kentucky Public Radio

Frankfort, KY – Spending reduction proposals from state agencies and universities are pouring in to the governor's budget office. Governor Beshear will use the information to craft a plan for addressing a projected 456-million dollar revenue shortfall. After that, he will take his plan to the people. "I want to get out in some locations and reach as broadly as I can our people to explain to them what our situation is. And then, show them some of the options that we've got."

Earlier this year, Beshear pushed for a 70-cent increase in the state's cigarette tax, but he's not yet saying if that will be part of his deficit-reduction plan. It's estimated the tax would generate more than 200-million dollars a year for the state. The governor has made it clear he does not favor issuing bonds to address the deficit.