Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo says his chamber’s version of the state budget will likely include no cuts to higher education in the current fiscal year.
Speaker Stumbo said Friday that he could almost assure there will be no cuts this fiscal year to any universities in the House budget. The Courier-Journal reportsthe Democratic leader made the comment shortly before lawmakers went into session. Stumbo went on to say that the goal of his chamber would be to restore all proposed cuts to higher education and public school programs.
Republican Governor Matt Bevin’s proposed budget would make 4.5 percent cuts to universities this year and reduce state funding by nine percent in the next two years. Bevin argued the cuts are necessary to help make up a shortfall in the state pension system.
House lawmakers will vote on their version of the budget early next week. Governor Bevin has said that he will not sign any budget that includes more debt.
