FRANKFORT - Despite our best efforts, the General Assembly finds itself called back to Frankfort by the Governor for an Extraordinary Session over the lack of funding for the road plan. It is an extremely unfortunate – and unnecessary -- turn of events. Following the process outlined in KRS 48.300 and consulting with the Governor’s Transportation Secretary, the House and Senate developed the road plan and its companion funding bill. Both chambers passed the road plan in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner. On the last day of the regular session, the Governor himself called the road plan “acceptable” and with no objections raised, both the House and the Senate patiently waited that day for him to sign it.

The Senate had the road plan budget ready but it would have been irresponsible to blindly turn over the funding without knowing how Governor Beshear would spend the money. To be clear, if the General Assembly were to pass the funding bill for the road plan and the Governor vetoes the road plan, then he would have the funding bill to do with as he wishes. Governor Beshear would have had a $4 billion slush fund. Who would give a chief executive of either party a $4 billion blank check?

The Governor has yet to tell the General Assembly what he plans to do with the road plan. We still have not heard if he has any objections. What we do know is that late on the evening of the last day, the Governor’s Staff offered to trade the road plan for his drop-out bill. Is this how government should be run? I am not willing to barter for roads that are rightfully ours.

The Governor needs to make a decision. If he accepts the road plan, the operating budget is ready to go. If he vetoes the bill, procedures require the General Assembly take five days to pass a new road plan. The choice (and the responsibility) is the Governor’s.

As always, please feel free to call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 if you would like to comment on the Special Session or visit us at www.lrc.ky.gov to learn more about the work of the General Assembly.

Sincerely,

David Givens
State Senator
District 9

Note: Senator David Givens (R-Greensburg) serves as the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and the Vice-Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee. He is also a member of the Education Committee, the Transportation Committee, the Tobacco Settlement and Oversight Committee, and the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee, 2012-2014 Budget Preparation and Submission Committee. He represents the 9th District including Allen, Barren, Edmonson, Green, Metcalfe, and Simpson counties. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Senator Givens, please log onto www.lrc.state.ky.us/pubinfo/ephoto.htm.