Back In Kentucky, Governor Steve Beshear Shows Good Leadership, Avoids Special Session.

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Governor says no special session

FRANKFORT — After meeting with Senate and House leadership for more than 90 minutes Thursday, Gov. Steve Beshear said the legislature and the governor have agreed to try to handle a projected $456 million deficit in the regular lawmaking session, which resumes Feb. 3.

Beshear said both chambers will likely hold hearings in the three weeks between the end of the organizational session — which began Tuesday and ends Friday — and the first week in February. Beshear said that a possible cigarette tax was still on the table after the 90-minute meeting.

Thursday’s sit-down meeting was the first official meeting between Beshear and newly-elected House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg. Stumbo unseated long-time Speaker Jody Richards in a race on Tuesday.