Inadequate Tax System Has Big Role in Austere Budget
While the still-weak economy and the end of federal recovery-related assistance are important factors in the tight budget now being...
Budget & Tax
Governor’s Budget Proposes Deep Cuts on Top of Past Reductions
The Governor’s budget proposes cuts of up to 8.4 percent to many state services that have already been slashed deeply over the last few years. The cuts would leave even...
Letter: What a Tax Reform Plan Should Include
Governor Beshear has said that he will announce plans for addressing tax reform in the coming weeks. Here's what should be in a tax plan that would move Kentucky forward....
Kentucky Faces Serious Challenges with Next Budget
Lawmakers face a grim financial situation when they meet in January to craft a new budget for 2013 and 2014. The state has balanced past budgets in part by pushing...
Principles Critical to Effective Tax Reform
In his inaugural address, Gov. Steve Beshear called on the state to build a "foundation for a better tomorrow" by restructuring Kentucky's tax system in his second term. His call...
The College Affordability Crunch in Kentucky
A decade of state budget cuts in higher education, rising tuition, underfunded need-based financial aid and stagnating incomes are combining to make college less affordable in Kentucky. Student debt is...
State Releases More Pessimistic Revenue Forecast
The official body that approves state revenue estimates released a preliminary forecast today that projects nearly $500 million less in General Fund revenue for the upcoming two-year budget than the...
State Has Cut Education Funding Substantially from Pre-Recession Levels
The recession and weak recovery of the last few years have meant less revenue for the state budget, and the legislature has responded with cuts to many services. The state...
Focus on Spending Cuts Ignores Revenue Problem
Kentucky is in great need of a substantive conversation about how to better fund essential services in its state budget. But by ignoring the state’s revenue problems, the Kentucky Chamber...
State Revenue Growth Should Be Put Into Context
The first of a series of state estimates projects modest revenue growth over the next few years. But increases in revenue should be put into context. The economy is only...