Budget Cuts

EKU Cuts Spending, Regents Promote Early Retirements

Charles Compton (KPR) and Whitney Jones — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:22:11 +0000

While Eastern Kentucky University is working to cut spending by $23 million, its Board of Regents will promote early retirements to before instituting layoffs. Chairman Craig Turner says a plan the regents approved Tuesday morning offers incentives to professors willing to work part-time and staff members who qualify for early retirement.

“The objective here again is to treat everybody as fairly as possible, providing incentives for them to potentially retire, and based upon those numbers, then that will determine how deep cuts go on the reduction plan itself,” Turner said.

MSU Regents Vote Down Contract Extension for Dunn; Faculty Regent Jack Rose Resigns

Shelly Baskin and Chad Lampe — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:10:31 +0000

Murray State’s Board of Regents has voted 7 to 4 against extending President Randy Dunn’s contract. The decision comes despite the letters of support for Dunn from the school’s faculty senate and staff congress, as well as 27 west Kentucky school superintendents.

Land Between the Lakes: New Season, Fee Changes

Kate Lochte — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:28:31 +0000

In December, we reported that Land Between the Lakes will have to cut $1 million from their annual operating budget, following across-the-board budget reduction for all national parks. On Sounds Good, Land Between the Lakes' Denise Schmittou outlines the new season and a few fee changes due to the budget review.

Illinois Education Funds Likely to Fall Despite Requests for Increase

Shelly Baskin and The Associated Press — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 22:12:39 +0000

The Illinois State Board of Education wants lawmakers to increase funding for schools by $874 million next year. The board recommended the 13.4 percent increase at their meeting today. Finance Committee Chairman Jim Baumann says 67 percent of school districts are in deficit spending.

Governor's School for the Arts Cuts New Media Program

Angela Hatton and Josh James (KPR) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:43:26 +0000

To help close a $50,000 budget gap created by state spending cuts, the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts is suspending its new media discipline. That area is comprised of film production, still photography, Claymation, and other digital arts.

Commonwealth Courthouses Close Next Week for First Furlough Day

Stu Johnson (KPR) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 17:08:50 +0000

One week from today, courthouses across the commonwealth will be closed. The closures are part of a cost saving measure.

Comments Will Soon be Closed on LBL Budget Cuts

Shelly Baskin — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:44:43 +0000

The final chance to comment on budget cut suggestions at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area ends on Wednesday. For the past four months, LBL officials have sought public comment on how to cope with a nearly $850 thousand cut to the park maintenance budget. The park starts implementing some of the money-saving suggestions in August.

Tamms Minimum Security Prisoners Transfered

Dave Shinall and AP — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:43:48 +0000

The Illinois Department of Corrections has transferred thirty more minimum-security inmates yesterday from the Tamms Prison to a work camp in Hardin County. The prison has been marked for closure August 31^st. Shutting it down is projected to save the state an estimated $48 million.

LBL Offering Public Final Chance to Comment on Changes Coming to Park After Budget Cuts

Shelly Baskin — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:00:00 +0000

In April Land Between the Lakes officials announced the park’s federal maintenance budget had been reduced by 50 percent. The total loss amounted to about $800,000 for the park. Over the past few months, we’ve been following the efforts of local Forest Service officials as they try to determine how best to deal with the cuts. The process involved seeking public input at several meetings around the park, as well as an online questionnaire. Now, the public has a final chance to give their input to park administrators before they make the final decision on changes in August.

Chambers Against Defense Cuts

Heidi Couch — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:34:49 +0000

The Clarksville and Christian County Chambers of Commerce are both behind a measure to keep the spending cuts in the 2011 Budget Control Act from taking effect.