The Kentucky House approved a biennial budget Friday morning with bipartisan support and the spending plan now heads to the Senate.
The measure passed on an 86-10 vote, with all local members of the House voting in favor.
It provides slightly more per-pupil funding than Governor Andy Beshear’s proposal, but less money for textbooks and school buses. Representative Myron Dossett says they are proposing a 1-percent pay raise for teachers and state employees.
The House budget includes more money for school safety; $18.7 million for physical security upgrades versus the $18.2 million Beshear proposed. It also includes $48.75 million to hire 400 additional guidance counselors in Kentucky schools.
Dossett says the proposed budget also fully funds employee pension systems, which was a top priority for him.
Representative Walker Thomas says the budget also provides more funding for the Attorney General’s Office and helps fund some of the state mandated security measures at schools.
State Senator Whitney Westerfield says he’ll look over the budget this weekend and he’ll also closely read the House revenue bill.
The budget is almost certainly destined for a conference committee after the Senate makes changes and Senator Westerfield is confident a final product will get to the governor before the veto recess.
Hear local legislators discuss the budget and other issues during our weekly legislative update program Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.