Here’s the statement from Richie Farmer’s office:

“I continue to disagree with Governor Beshear’s decision to balance the state budget on the backs of state employees in the form of furlough days. I believe the furloughs to be unnecessary, as the General Assembly on two occasions has provided the Governor other means with which to balance the budget, and the Governor chose to veto them. My position on the furloughs has not changed, but I have reconsidered my reaction to them.

“Initially, I chose not to participate due to my strong disagreement with the overall policy. After reconsidering, I decided there was a better way to serve the greater good while letting state employees know that it doesn’t have to be this way, and that I sympathize with them and will share in their sacrifice.

“Donating a few hundred dollars back to the state treasury is not going to solve our budget problems, nor will it change the situation for state employees. That is why today I have donated $1,000 to Capital City Christian Church and $1,071.42 to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial Fund to represent the first five furlough days imposed during the current fiscal year. I will make a donation to another charity to represent the sixth furlough day in May.

“By taking this action, I hope to also bring attention to the extreme generosity and hard work that state employees continue to exhibit day after day. I am sorry that I did not come to this conclusion sooner. It was never my intention to make it seem that I was insensitive to the plight of state employees. I appreciate the service of each and every one of our state employees, and I am especially grateful to the employees of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, who serve all Kentuckians every day.”

Caved under pressure, eh, Reeechie?