By Carrie Pond
Hopkinsville, KY – A Kentucky prosecutor says the $1.1 million in state budget cuts facing county attorneys would be devastating to the Commonwealth's public safety and criminal justice system. Christian County Attorney Mike Foster says to meet budget reductions, county attorneys will be forced to lay off employees or implement furloughs, making it virtually impossible to cover all court assignments. He says the cuts are equivalent to between 77 and 100 staff members losing their jobs. County attorneys have already withstood significant cutbacks in the last six months, including staff salary cuts. Governor Steve Beshear has asked all state institutions to prepare lists of possible cuts to alleviate an anticipated 456 million dollar state budget shortfall.