Kentucky House Republicans presented spending bills this week aimed at increasing funding for education, allocating funds from budget reserves to support public pensions and infrastructure projects.
However, the budget plan does not include guaranteed pay raises for teachers and public school employees, nor does it provide state funds for universal preschool access for four-year-olds.
The House GOP budget proposal suggests that additional funds be allocated to the state’s main funding formula for K-12 schools and student transportation. Local school districts would then decide whether to use additional funding for pay raises, as was done two years ago.
Governor Andy Beshear had proposed an 11% raise for teachers and public school employees, along with funding for preschool education.
House Bill 6 contains over 250 pages of budget items. House Bill 1 includes one-time expenditures of $1.7 billion from the state’s reserves.
Representative Jason Petrie, who chairs the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee, said balancing spending and saving is important with a rainy day fund of nearly $3 billion.
click to download audioThe bills introduced by Petrie would fund state government operations for the next two years and tap into budget reserves for targeted investments in public pensions, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development.
The budget bill also includes investments in public safety, infrastructure, and health services. The House GOP plan also includes pay raises for state police troopers, hiring more social workers, and allocating funds for facility maintenance and repairs in higher education.
Petrie, who represents parts of Christian, Todd, and Logan counties, also said infrastructure in Christian County is a priority of his.
click to download audioPetrie said questions from the agriculture sector also factor into the budget bills that are crafted.
click to download audioAfter the House approves its plan, the Senate will make its mark on spending policies. Eventually, negotiators from both chambers will come together to resolve any discrepancies. It is worth noting that the GOP holds supermajorities in both the House and the Senate.
