FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday that he has reached agreement with top lawmakers on adjusting state transportation spending without a special legislative session.
Last month, a panel of economists reduced revenue projections for the state’s General Fund and Road Fund for the current fiscal year, ending June 30.
Plunging tax collections are blamed on economic damage from the coronavirus.
With the new projections, the job of cutting about $457 million from the General Fund will fall to Beshear. The General Fund pays for most state services, including education, health care and public safety.
At the time, a special session appeared to be needed to reduce the Road Fund. That’s because the panel’s new projection for Road Fund revenues amounted to a larger percentage drop.
But on Wednesday, Beshear said the special session won’t be needed on transportation funding.
“There is zero discretion in what needs to be done,” he said. “It is a revision of a number. This is an agreement between all of the legislative leaders and the governor’s office. So we do not believe at this time that there will be a need. And there’s an agreement on the actions that have to be taken.”
Beshear didn’t offer any details about budget cuts.
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