By Carrie Pond
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced yesterday he will cut costs and reallocate two million dollars to the Department of Public Advocacy. The move ensures the organization has enough money to continue operations through June. Earlier this year, the DPA had indicated an increased case load would drain its funding sometime this month, leaving the organization unable to continue operations. State prosecutors' offices also faced a budget crunch this year, but were able to cut more than 5 million dollars through layoffs, furloughs, and fund redistribution. Proposed legislation that would have allocated an additional 4 point 7 million dollars for public defenders and county attorneys failed this session. Governor Beshear says he will work with the legislative branches to find additional long-term funding for the criminal justice system.