Summary of the State of the Commonwealth Address

Making his first state-of-the-commonwealth address, Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear on Jan. 16 bluntly warned legislators: “The revenue outlook is grim.” Vowing not to raise taxes, Beshear said his administration would address the state’s unprecedented budget shortfall — estimated at nearly $900 million over two years — by trimming government spending and making state agencies more efficient and responsive.

 

Beshear offered few specifics on the budget and made no reference to his own proposal to increase revenue by allowing casino gambling in the state.

 

Despite the state’s dire fiscal outlook, Beshear said he would not abandon goals to lower prescription drug prices for seniors, increase college aid and improve secondary education to send more students to college. He also called for the politically split Legislature to approve an ethics package that includes limiting the governor’s power to pardon.

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