By Tony McVeigh
Frankfort, KY – Acting Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Secretary Joe Meyer is urging lawmakers to allow furloughs if deeper budget cuts are coming. Furloughs would require legislative action, because current state law prohibits them. But Frankfort Rep. Derrick Graham says if furloughs are permitted, they should be top-down, not bottom-up.
"And I'm not saying that to you. I'm saying it as a recommendation to the administration, that if they go down that path and we have to go down that path, that its being done in a fair and consistent manner. And that's all that I have to ask and say about that issue. But somehow or another we're gonna have to get through this."
Meanwhile, House leaders continue meeting behind the scenes to craft various budget scenarios. Gov. Beshear's budget proposal based on casino gambling revenue has been rejected.