FRANKFORT - The General Assembly adjourned the 2010 General Assembly Session without finalizing a budget. It is a matter that has caused much frustration and even anger among legislators and citizens. The House Democrats feel government should bond or borrow for long-term projects in the same budget cycle where we use one-time stimulus and one-time Medicaid money to balance the budget. In the Senate, however, we would not agree to a fiscally unsound budget proposed by the House that raised over $280 million in taxes and bonded over $1 billion in projects. We simply feel it is time to stop putting the burden on future generations to pay debts we incur today.

The budget conferees negotiated for several weeks. We offered to meet the House on their education and Medicaid services spending. We even thought we had an agreement on two occasions but the House Democrats could not reach agreement within their own caucus. Two weeks ago, the Senate voted almost unanimously to pass a two-year budget that was agreed to by all the House and Senate negotiators except the House Democratic Leadership. This budget made fair and reasonable recessionary adjustments to the state budget, restored SEEK and Medicaid funding, and laid out a process to replace our worst-shape schools without raising state taxes. It helped Kentucky live within its means and prepared us for a better day. Unfortunately, House Democratic Leadership would not even allow a vote on this fiscally sound two-year budget.

On the last evening, the House proposed what they called a “continuation budget.” Even the Governor called it a “gimmick.” It was a one-year budget that would have continued current spending levels – spending levels we cannot afford even now. It would force 7-8 percent cuts to state services in the second year. Quite simply, it would bankrupt the state. The Senate had no interest in doing this. We cannot continue to borrow, spend, and pass on the cost to our children and grandchildren. We must provide financial stability to our citizens so they know we have our financial house in order. The state must make the same hard choices that our families are making and have been making for a long time.

After a cooling off period, I am sure that talks will continue between the Senate and the House. After having little involvement during the session, the Governor announced that he would call the General Assembly back into session in May. The Senate firmly believes it would be a mistake to call us back without a prior written agreement. We in the Senate are standing firm against higher debt and higher taxes. If you agree, please call toll-free 1-800-372-7181 or TTY 1-800-896-0305 and let your representative know that you support a responsible two-year budget that includes no job-killing taxes on Kentucky employers and stops our spiral into unsustainable indebtedness.

###

Note: Senator David Givens (R-Greensburg) serves as the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee. He is also a member of the Education Committee, the Banking and Insurance Committee, the Transportation Committee, the Tobacco Settlement and Oversight Committee, and the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee. He represents the 9th District including Simpson, Allen, Barren, Edmonson, Metcalfe, and Green counties. For a high-resolution .jpeg of Senator Givens, please log onto www.lrc.state.ky.us/pubinfo/ephoto.htm

Sincerely,
David Givens
State Senator
District 9