Kentucky Budget
By: Import User
Updated: April 3, 2008
Unrest and upheaval--words used by Kentucky legislators today to describe the mood of the General Assembly working to pass a very lean budget.
It may mean tuition will be going up--but teachers salaries are not--in fact on average, Kentucky teachers make several thousand less than those in Indiana.
The proposed budget gives teachers a raise--but a very small one of one percent.
A potential tuition increase and teacher salary cut, two of only several issues in the budget, a budget that has not only parties divided but the House and Senate
The biggest issue in the General Assembly is how to generate revenue.
The Senates plan depends on attrition in state jobs and lottery revenues, something Sen. David Boswell would like to see more of with expanded gaming in the Commonwealth, while the House says raise taxes on cigarettes and certain services--which could generate hundreds of millions according to Representative David Watkins who says the Senates plan is smoke and mirrors.
This budget process could last until midnight, but even then, lawmakers may not come to an agreement.
