Statement by Jason Bailey, executive director of Ky Policy:
“At a time when high prices and low wages are making it harder for Kentucky families to get ahead, the House passed a budget today that fails to prioritize the working class and put Kentuckians over cuts.
“Despite improvements over the original version of HB 500, this budget continues to underfund Medicaid, public education, and senior services, while making cuts to child care and higher education and failing to deliver raises and cost-of-living increases to the teachers and state retirees who deserve them.
“This austerity is not a necessity. It’s a choice. Lawmakers are leaving more than $604 million in revenue unspent that could help meet Kentuckians’ needs, despite a state rainy day fund of $3.7 billion. The only reason to make that choice is to attempt to hit the triggers allowing for more income tax cuts over the next two years. And if lawmakers prioritize more tax cuts over investments in Kentuckians, the benefits go overwhelmingly to the wealthy.
“As the budget continues to move through the legislative process, lawmakers should continue listening to the people who advocated for, and won, improvements to HB 500. And they should choose Kentuckians over budget cuts and tax cuts for the powerful few, and pass a budget that moves us all forward.”
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