LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Is it a gamble for Governor Steve Beshear to push expanded gaming for a fourth time? We'll soon find out as the General Assembly goes back to work on Tuesday.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo and Senate President David Williams sat side-by-side at a ceremony in Frankfort on Monday, each preparing to lead their parties and chambers into a long legislative session.
The two leaders agree on one thing -- what the biggest topics will be for the next 60 days. Those include gaming and the budget. Of gaming, Williams says, "I think it depends on what the governor comes up with as far as his proposal." On the budget, Stumbo says, "We're probably going to have to make some sacrifices."
Kentucky's two-year budget is complicated by the fact that stimulus money is gone and state revenue hasn't returned to pre-recession levels. Plus, unfunded pension liabilities remain a sticking point.
Stumbo expects cuts in personnel: "We still have an issue with how many people work for the state of Kentucky and that's the big part of our challenge is how can we continue to provide services with fewer people...It may well be that we have to do something creative in elementary and secondary education. We may have to ask them to dip a little bit more into their reserve accounts."
With gambling, Governor Beshear wants to take the issue to voters. He's pushing casino style gaming for the state, but needs a constitutional amendment to make it happen.
Williams, who was defeated by Beshear in the race for governor, says, "I don't think it solves any problem, but there are some Republicans that want to put it on the ballot....It's never had the support in the Senate and as you and I talk today, we don't know what the proposal is. I don't know how anyone could say there in support of something when they haven't read it."
The legislature also has to redraw the lines for both congressional and legislative districts during this election, and that's expected to affect races for many years to come.
So far 200 bills have been pre-filed in Frankfort. It comes down to a game of numbers -- which ones will gain the most support in just 60 days.
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