The Kentucky Republican budget pushed through the House Thursday would increase per-student funding, pay down pension deficits and increase one-time infrastructure spending.
Democrats on the House floor said that with a record budget surplus, Republicans could do better than a continuation budget, calling for significant funding boosts in key areas like education.
The Republican chairman of the House Appropriations and Revenue committee said the budget passed Thursday looks beyond the next two years, and creates a fiscally responsible plan for the state.
“Unlike in some years past, if you exist and you’re doing something, then you get that funding plus you ask for more. It’s just not the way we’re approaching budgeting,” Rep. Jason Petrie of Elkton said, “There has to be a case stated for whether this continues or whether it gets increased funding.”
Less than 24 hours after several budget bills moved through a specially-called committee meeting, the Kentucky House of Representatives voted to approve House Bills 1 and 6 , one of the first steps in a lengthy process to craft the state’s budget for the next two fiscal years.