By Associated Press
Frankfort, KY – Tough economic times will translate into a "fairly economical" inaugural celebration to mark the start of Gov. Steve Beshear's second term.
"The state's gone through hard times, and we want to be thrifty about it," Beshear said Friday after delivering a speech at a Veterans Day event in Frankfort. "I don't think we have to be lavish in that celebration. I think everybody can enjoy it and at the same time we can be fairly economical about it."
Beshear overwhelmingly defeated Republican David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith in Tuesday's election despite a first term marked by an ailing economy and widespread job losses, which the challengers heralded as top issues in the race.
Economists expect the issues to follow Beshear well into his second term, though they're predicting modest growth in coming months.
Beshear said he will make job creation the top priority of his second term.
With a more modest inaugural celebration, Beshear is aiming to show Kentucky residents that he is mindful of the financial woes many of them are dealing with. Nearly one in 10 workers in the state is unemployed.
An inaugural committee will raise money from private donors to cover the costs of the Dec. 13 festivities. In the past, the event has included a parade through Frankfort, the official swearing-in and elaborate balls at the Capitol.
In 2007, Beshear's inaugural committee raised more than $750,000. The governor was unsure Friday how much next month's affair will cost.
"They are putting a budget together as we speak," Beshear said. "We certainly plan on spending less than on the first inauguration."
Even with the decrease, the governor said it will be a celebration to remember.
"We're excited about this one," he said. "A lot of people want to come and celebrate, and we're certainly going to give them the opportunity to do that. We'll have the kinds of events that an inauguration has, but we will be economical about it."