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| Budget Process Begins to Heat Up Following the Governor’s budget proposal to the full legislature in joint session, many lawmakers say that they will scrap the Governor’s plan and start from scratch. KEA wants to work with lawmakers to assure that critical public education issues are addressed. The Governor’s proposal met many of KEA’s priorities including a slight increase to SEEK, the base funding formula for public schools and guaranteed raises for school employees if additional federal funding is available. His proposal has met opposition from legislators because it relies on revenue from gambling, which has not been enacted. School Employee Pensions Key Issue in this Session Much debate in this session has centered the Governor’s proposal to refund the money borrowed from the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System to provide health insurance for KTRS retirees over the last several years. The Governor proposes paying this deby by issuing a bond which would help to assure that KTRS is solvent. Another critical issue in this session is fully funding the first step of the Annual Required Contribution (ARC) to the Kentucky Retirement System that provides benefits to education support professionals. The ARC schedule was established as a part of pension reform in 2008 and is key to getting the KRS back to full funding. The Governor’s budget includes the funding necessary to meet the ARC and KEA continues to advocate with legislators to provide this crucial funding. |
| Get Involved KEA’s lobbyists on the hill have been meeting with legislators and legislative leaders about the importance of protecting these elements of the budget as the process goes forward. The budget process begins in the House as required by the Kentucky Constitution. House members are working hard to craft a budget for consideration. Once the House version is acted upon, it will go to the Senate for consideration. Final details will be worked out during the final days of the legislative session in a conference committee composed of key House members and Senators. KEA’s best lobbyist is you. Please contact your legislators and help them understand the real impact of school funding – or a lack of funding – on your students and on your own economic security. Monitor KEA’s advocacy during the legislative session at www.keepkentuckylearning.org and don’t forget to friend our Facebook page, Ky Education’s Advocates for daily updates. |
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