For
Immediate Release
March 21, 2003
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront (502) 564-2611
Governor Patton
Allows Budget to Become Law Without His Signature
Frankfort,
KY -- Governor Patton released a
detailed statement today explaining why he would not sign the budget enacted by
the General Assembly, allowing it to become law without his signature.
While
he praised the General Assembly for working together to enact a budget, he
reiterated his concern that the General Assembly has not solved the fiscal
problems faced by the Commonwealth, either by significantly reducing spending or
by raising needed revenues, but has put off addressing the problem until next
year.
Governor
Patton stated: " While I
realize the need for the legislature to delay the final decision between new
revenue and drastic cuts, I can in no way send a signal that the enacted budget
meets the needs of the people of Kentucky." The Governor's analysis states
that the enacted budget is structurally out of balance by approximately $370
million, using one-time money to fund ongoing programs.
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