Eighth District State Representative Walker Thomas tells the News Edge the proposed state budget passed out of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee Thursday afternoon looks favorable and includes funding for security costs incurred by schools, pay raises for teachers and funding their retirement.
Rep. Thomas says some of the highlights of the budget includes over $18 million to help schools affected by Senate Bill 1 and security costs.
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In addition, he states there are some exciting things in the budget for teachers. He says they fully funded the teacher’s retirement and health insurance program.
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The SEEK formula will be raised from the current $4,000 per student to $4,061 the first year and the second year it will be brought up to $4,112 per student.
Rep. Thomas says the budget also provides teachers a 1% pay increase the first year and another 1% increase on top of it the second year including benefits. In addition, there is $5 million for instructional materials and another $5 million to help fund textbooks.
He notes millions of dollars was included to hire more guidance counselors and for social workers across the state.
right-click to download mp3It also includes funding for Boys and Girls Clubs across the state and restores funding to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
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Rep. Thomas says the proposed budget also adds provides funding for the Department of Veteran’s and Military Affairs and Kentucky State Police.
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And for Trigg County, he notes the lieu of taxes is still in the budget.The proposed budget now goes to the state Senate. Rep. Thomas says the Senate will probably put in some changes and wants and then the budget will come back to the House and they will try to concur with the Senate to get the budget passed.
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