By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-818318.mp3
Frankfort, KY – Lawmakers met briefly in early January to elect new officers, and now have 26 days to resolve the state's budget crisis and act on pending legislation. Hearings were held on the governor's budget-balancing plan during the three-week recess and legislative leaders have been holding additional talks behind closed doors. Senate President David Williams says the discussions have been extremely cordial. "I've never seen a time in my 20-something years in the General Assembly and my 10-years in leadership where I saw more sincere cooperation, negotiation, candor offered than we have right now."
Governor Beshear is scheduled to give his State of the Commonwealth address to a joint session of the General Assembly Wednesday night.