By Jacque Day
Murray, Ky. – A new biennial state budget has cleared the Kentucky House and is on its way to the Senate. Despite the 94 to 4 vote many House members characterized the plan as a lousy budget. Representative Melvin Henley of Murray says he reluctantly voted to pass the budget to move the process along. But he is particularly disturbed at cuts in elementary and secondary education as well as higher education. Though the budget protects classroom funding, after school funding could be cut up to 3.5 percent the first year and 4.5 percent the second year.
"It sets us back a decade maybe two decades in the progress that we've tried to make."
"It's just a poor situation. But at least, we are not like Indiana laying off thousands of schoolteachers, or other states that have had to make some very drastic cuts."
Postsecondary education also took a hit, with a 1.4 percent cut the first year and 2.4 percent the second year. The 17-billion dollar biennial spending plan, which includes no new taxes and limited bonding, also gives the governor authority to furlough state workers if necessary.