Budget Update

Dear Adult Educators,

As you have heard and read, Governor Beshear released his Executive Budget.  This budget includes a 12% reduction for Kentucky Adult Education ($3 million).  The entire postsecondary education budget received similar deep reductions. 

The Governor and the Office of the State Budget Director both describe this as a “worse case scenario” budget.  We hope and anticipate that this will not be the final budget for FY08-09 and FY09-10.

The Executive Budget is the next step in a process that began with our request for an increase of $2M in year one and $4M in year two of the next biennium.  While increases of the amounts that we requested are unlikely in the current budget climate and economic times, we may not face a “worst case scenario.”  There will be much debate in the coming months as this budget proposal is considered by the House and Senate.  A final budget will be agreed upon at the end of the legislation session in mid-April.

I want to emphasize how important it is that, as legislators consider budget options, they have all the information they need about adult education.  This is a crucial time for you to inform and show your legislators how important funding for our students is to the future of Kentucky.

You can spread the word locally, talk to your legislators and come to the KAACE legislative lunch on February 19. Invite your legislators to attend and bring your teachers and students who can tell the success stories that you see every day in their districts.

Thank you for continuing to work so hard for our students' success.  I look forward to seeing you at the KAACE legislative luncheon on February 19.

Sarah Hindman Hawker