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Beshear Signs the Six Year Road Plan

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Governor Steve Beshear signed the six-year road plan on Wednesday, but line-item vetoed projects in a two-year plan only in Senate President David Williams' district.

According to the governor's office, the vetoes in the shorter plan were necessary because Williams moved his projects to the front of the line. The changes to the legislation cut $49.7 million worth of projects in Williams's district and restore the funding to its original levels.

Beshear says the vetoes weren't politically motivated and and do not remove any projects, adding it only moves last minute priority changes that Williams made at the start of the special session.

"Senator Williams has essentially moved all his district's road projects to the front of the line, forcing other projects that the Transportation Cabinet and other legislators considered high-priority to wait until additional funding becomes available. It's unfair to the citizens, and it's unfair to the rest of the lawmakers whose districts will suffer," he says.

The approval of the plans now clears the Senate to finish the special session by Friday, Beshear says. It's uncertain whether the vetoes will assure a five day special session since the Senate may time to pass a new road plan.

Kenny Colston is the Frankfort Bureau Chief for Kentucky Public Radio (a collaborative effort of public radio stations in Kentucky). Colston has covered Kentucky's Capitol and state government since 2010. He is a Louisville native, and a graduate of the University of Kentucky. When he's not tracking down stories about Kentucky politics, you can often find him watching college sports, particularly football.
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