By Associated Press - Friday, April 25, 2014

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said Friday he will not set a deadline for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to pay back $2.5 million the state used as seed money for the proposed renovations to Rupp Arena.

Beshear vetoed language in House Bill 301 that would have required Lexington to pay back the money by April 1, 2015. Beshear said he was concerned the deadline would cause future bond sales to lose their tax-exempt status.

The legislature gave the money to Lexington in 2012. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray has promised to repay the money.

This year, Beshear and House Democrats tried unsuccessfully to include $65 million in state-backed bonds in the budget to pay for Rupp Arena renovations. Senate Republicans blocked the money over concerns about the financing plan.

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