Students are entering the fight to protect state funding for Kentucky colleges and universities. Governor Matt Bevin’s proposed budget would cut state support 4.5 percent this year and nine percent during the state’s two year budget.
According to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the commonwealth has reduced university budgets by more than $713 million in the last eight years. Many students say they’re tired of the cuts, and they showed up in Frankfort Thursday to let their legislators know.
Some 200 students braved the cold February air in hopes of having their voices heard on the steps of the state capitol. Those from western Kentucky schools hit the road before dawn.
“It’s snowing out here, it’s cold, and that doesn’t matter because it’s just one little thing,” University of Kentucky senior Nathan E. Smith said. “And we’re marching right through the snow, and we’re going to save our schools.”
Smith is standing with the crowd on the Capitol steps among a sea of chants and signs ranging from the sarcastic to the sincere. It’s part of an effort to protest state funding cuts under Governor Matt Bevin’s proposed budget.
“We’re not here just demanding that they give us the money for our schools,” Smith said. We’re saying, ‘let’s build a happy medium here, to where both our schools and our state can make up that hole’.”
Under Bevin’s plan, Kentucky universities would lose 4.5 percent in appropriations effective this fiscal year. That number would grow to nine percent in the state’s next two year budget starting in July.
Bevin’s plan also looks to change the state higher education funding model from a base funding approach to one based solely on performance. By 2019, all of Kentucky’s higher education funding would come from a competitive pool, something Smith says would limit the potential of future students.
“If we are more than certain that Kentucky is known for generating some of the best and the brightest minds, then why should we stop?” Smith said.
University leaders have also voiced concerns. Earlier this month, Kentucky State University President Raymond Burse said his school could potentially face closure as a result of the cuts.
Murray State recently announced a pair of budget task forces to identify core services, as well as those that could be reduced or outright eliminated.
This week, State Budget Director John Chilton told legislators that a conservative budget is necessary to turn around Kentucky’s struggling pension systems. Bevin has said he’s not backing down from the combined proposed cut of 13.5 percent during the next two years.
The Governor’s administration estimates those cuts will free up about $650 million in spending.
Back at the rally, Attorney General Andy Beshear says he believes universities should remain untouched.
“A budget isn’t just about numbers. It’s about value,” Beshear said. “It’s about what you value, it’s about what Kentucky should value. And what does it say when the maximum budget cuts goes toward higher education?”
A handful of students from schools around the state also took turns at the megaphone, including Murray State Student Government Association Senator Carter Hearne.
“I am a sophomore liberal arts major and a Chinese minor,” Hearne said. “As you might expect, my programs are probably likely to be cut because of this budget.”
Hearne says he’s not here to demand but rather to find a compromise between lawmakers and universities.
“We are fighting for the education of every single person in Kentucky and every person out of Kentucky that knows how good our programs are,” Hearne said.
The Murray State-led movement began early this month with a petition against Bevin’s proposed budget that bears about 3,500 signatures. Student Brittani Logsdon says marching is just the next step.
“We definitely thought it was a historical moment, and we wanted to be a part of it and we love our university, so we wanted to support education,” Logsdon said.
As it stands, the budget process rests in the hands of Kentucky’s Democrat-led House and Republican-majority Senate. If both chambers agree to a budget, it will be up to Governor Bevin to approve a state spending plan in April.
Governor Bevin’s office has not issued a statement related to the rally.
WKMS’s Kala Dunn contributed to this story; Smith contributed audio.
