Educators Protest Budget Compromise; Richards Predicts Passage

"We are appalled and indignant. We only wish the budget were a bad April Fool’s Day joke."

That was the denouncement articulated by the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) of the budget compromise passed out of conference committee this week.

In a statement posted on its website, The KEA focused its ire on the Republican-controlled State Senate, which declined to pass cigarette tax increases pushed through the Democratically-run State House.

"From what KEA has learned, it appears that the failure to adequately fund schools lies solidly at the feet of the Senate. Without new revenue, Kentucky schools and students will never have the resources we need to be successful. KEA gives the Senate an 'F' for its failure to live up to its obligations," read the statement."It is with great disappointment that the Kentucky Education Association calls on state legislators to vote against the proposed budget and start over and craft a two-year spending plan that adequately funds children’s and schools’ needs."

The KEA echoed the resistance to the budget of some House Democratic legislators reported yesterday. These legislators were upset with the budget's small 1% raise allocated to educators and the cuts in higher education funding.

Governor Beshear also voiced his disapproval of the budget compromise yesterday. His criticism was also rooted in the package's lack of measures to increase revenue.

PolWatchers now reports that this dissent may not derail passage of the budget through the House. Speaker Jody Richards (D-Bowling Green) told that outlet the 50 necessary votes for passage were likely there.