LOCAL NEWS
2009 State Legislature must deal with Kentucky’s $456 million budget shortfall
07:49 PM EST on Monday, January 5, 2009
Related Coverage:
Govenor's tax cuts and hikes would affect smokers, dippers and state employees directly
(WHAS11) -Tuesday, Kentucky lawmakers head back to Frankfort for a legislative session that won’t be any fun.
They’re being asked to come up with a plan to deal with the state’s $456 million budget shortfall.
Governor Beshear believes he and lawmakers can quickly hammer out a plan to deal with the state’s budget shortfall.
Beshear is proposing a $.70 increase in the cigarette tax hike as part of his plan.
Republican Senate President, David Williams, isn’t keen on any tax hike.
Williams agrees that he and the democratic Governor are improving their icy relationship, and Williams says he’ll work with Beshear on a budget saving plan.
But at the same time, Williams wants to restructure parts of state government, starting with changing Kentucky’s math curriculum and abolishing the CATS test.
Williams also believes Kentucky should look at its health insurance for the poor, better known as Medicaid.
About 740,000 Kentuckians currently receive Medicaid benefits.
And any proposal to cut Medicaid benefits or abolish the CATS test would be extremely controversial and would muddy the Governor’s plan for a quick resolution to the budget mess.
The 2009 session of the Kentucky Legislature begins Tuesday at noon.
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