For
Immediate Release
March 10, 2003
Governor Patton issued the following statement this evening in reaction to adoption by the 2003 General Assembly of a biennial budget for the fiscal years 2003 and 2004:
“Although I have not yet had time to fully review all the details, it appears that this budget simply does not meet our long-term needs. I am pleased, however, with both the cooperative spirit exhibited by the General Assembly during the budgetary process and the intent of both chambers to protect education, human services, and public safety. It has indeed been encouraging to see both parties and both chambers work together in a bipartisan spirit during this difficult process. I appreciate both chambers soliciting and accepting input from the Executive Branch. The budgetary process this session has dramatically improved compared to the contentious process in 2000 and the budget debates in 2002. I know that the people of Kentucky will be pleased that the General Assembly has now fulfilled its constitutional responsibility of enacting a budget for our state. I remain, however, concerned with the impacts of the final budget on the citizens of our state and its implications for their future.
The expenditures authorized in the budget do not maintain our momentum in education and do not adequately address the needs of Kentuckians served by our human services programs. Because there is a structural imbalance of over $350 million caused by the use of one-time monies and the deferral of mandated expenditures, the funding levels contained in this budget cannot be sustained without significant new revenues in the next budget.
I
have previously expressed and continue to feel that these structural budget
deficits should be addressed on my watch. However,
the General Assembly has apparently chosen to exercise its prerogative to defer
these tough decisions to the next administration and the next session of the
General Assembly.”
-30-