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House Budget Review Committees Likely to Delve into Bevin Budget This Week

Alexey Stiop, 123rf Stock Photo

Now that Governor Bevin has offered his two year budget for review, the state’s 138 lawmakers will begin their work, culminating with floor votes in each chamber.

The House gets the first shot at the budget as outlined in statute. But, Senate President Robert Stivers said his members will also be in a review mode, hoping to meet with State Budget Director John Chilton.

“And we’re talking about maybe having some committee hearings to bring Mr. Chilton in and say, ‘let’s go through this, let’s have question and answer. So, we understand exactly what you are doing and what the rationale is of what you are doing,” said Stivers.

Stivers characterized Bevin’s address to legislators last week as a “ten thousand foot view” of budget issues.

In the House, Speaker Pro Tem David Osborne expects budget subcommittees to begin meeting this week to delve into Governor Bevin’s spending plan.

The governor calls for cutting funding just over 6% for many state agencies and eliminating funding for some 70 state-supported programs. Osborne was asked Friday if he could see even larger cuts to help support public pension reforms.

“The cuts are severe and they’re difficult and we’re trying to manage those and being as thoughtful as we can with those and we’ll continue to do that. But, I think, not funding the pension is just not an option,” said Osborne.

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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