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Lawmakers Evaluate 2010 Budget Plan

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, KY – A well-attended budget briefing in the Kentucky House drew both Democratic and Republican representatives to Frankfort. House budget chairman Rick Rand says these are trying financial times for the commonwealth, but Kentucky's not alone.

"Nearly every single state are in much more difficult circumstances than we find ourselves in. And that is a tribute to the leaders, and certainly the gentleman who held my position before I, and the good work that they have done."

Rand warned his colleagues tough decisions are ahead. The state is facing a current revenue shortfall of 161-million dollars, and a one-point-two-billion dollar deficit in the next biennium. Lawmakers will begin tackling those problems on January 5th, when the 2010 session begins.