Budget compromise includes pay raises for state employees, funding for all-day kindergarten

The conference committee tasked with hashing out a compromise on a biennial budget released highlights Tuesday morning of the bill that will likely pass both chambers of the General Assembly before the veto recess.

Senator Chris McDaniel co-chaired the committee with state Representative Jason Petrie of Elkton and says state employees will receive significant pay raises in each of the two years.

After the Senate removed funding for all-day kindergarten from its budget, but conference committee put it back in, while also increasing SEEK funding.

Social workers and most judicial system employees will receive additional pay raises and a funding increase to the Murray State Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville was also approved. Funding remains in the budget for a Department of Criminal Justice training academy in Madisonville.

Petrie, who represents Todd, Logan and a portion of Christian County, says he’s pleased with the final budget compromise.

Lawmakers will need to get the budget to the governor’s desk by close of business Wednesday to allow themselves days to override any potential vetoes when they return in mid-April.