Kentucky's top state trooper says his agency is suffering from a shortage in manpower.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer told a state House committee that years of flat lining budgets and a proposed 2.5 percent cut under Gov. Steve Beshear’s latest spending plan have put a squeeze on the agency.
Brewer says expenses in employee retirement, healthcare costs and fleet maintenance have led to layoffs.
“It caused us toward the end of last fiscal year to start making some reductions, and I was forced with the very difficult decision to lay off those troopers, which was extremely painful,” said Brewer.
Brewer says nearly two-thirds of KSP troopers make less than $50,000 per year.
