Tight State Budget Predicted

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...State Senator Bob Leeper, chairman of the budget committee, says he expects a deficit of at least $337 million in next year's general fund and says next year's budget "is going to be tighter than the current one. A modest increase is expected in revenues, but some moves made this year to save money can't be repeated, and millions in federal stimulus dollars received in the current budget cycle aren't expected for the 2012-2014 budget. Representative Rick Rand, who chairs the House budget committee, has a brighter outlook, but still says the budget will be tight and the state will have to hold the line on spending.