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Beshear’s New Budget: Tough Times Ahead With the projected budget shortfall of $434 million this year and more than $500 million next year, Beshear has been forced to cut funding across the board. He has proposed a 12 percent cut to the education budget which has educators across the state worried. The results will be felt in a variety of areas, including possible cutbacks in textbook funds, higher education, and many other areas. Teachers in Fayette County have been told that they would not be receiving raises this year. These budget cuts will also have serious effects on Kentucky’s institutions for higher education. University of Kentucky’s President Lee Todd reported that, in a worst case scenario, UK’s tuition could possibly increase by 30 percent. The tuition will probably not rise this year, but if Beshear goes ahead with a 12 percent cut to higher education, a tuition increase may be necessary to replace the lost funds. KCTCS also announced a $4 increase per credit hour in tuition for the next school year. Beshear has also ordered cuts to transportation, endangering proposed mega-projects to improve Kentucky’s road and highway system. These cuts came just before a signal was installed near Transportation Secretary Joe Prather’s house. He alleges he had nothing to do with it, and Beshear assured the media that the signal installation was “ethical.” Even so, among the harsh budget cuts, many find it confusing that a traffic signal went up so near the secretary’s house despite an agency review that found it was unnecessary. (www.kentucky.com) The new governor’s proposed casino plan that was one of the main issues of the gubernatorial campaign has also come under scrutiny. While he estimated that it would bring in around $500 million dollars in tax revenue, a 2007 study by the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (LRC) predicted a net income of around $314 million. The study was submitted to the House subcommittee studying the issue. Representative Joni Jenkins, D-Shively and chair of the subcommittee, asserted that the LRC’s report seemed “very valid.” Unfortunately, getting the casino bill passed may be harder than expected. While Beshear is “confident” that it will pass through the Democratic-controlled House, the Senate will be much tougher. Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, is an outspoken critic of the proposal and will do what he can to kill the bill. While the future looks a little grim, Beshear remains upbeat. He looks forward to passing his casino bill and working on Kentucky’s economy. Despite the talk of important budget cuts, projected shortfalls, and tax increases, Beshear says he’s optimistic. Whether or not that will be enough is a matter that only time can tell. |
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