The first day of Steve Beshear's administration may be full of festivities, but Speaker of the House Jody Richards is looking forward to getting to work with the new governor-elect.

Via telephone, Richards called Beshear a seasoned leader.

He says Steve Beshear will emphasize education and will be interested in South-Central Kentucky businesses.

Richards adds that he also looks forward to working with Beshear's administration.

"One thing I really like about it is that the people he's entrusted with the most important cabinet positions, by and large, are people with a great deal of business experience and state government experience," said Jody Richards.

Richards adds that at the top of his wish list is making I-65 from the Louie Nunn Parkway to Elizabethtown a six lane road.