(AP) — Senate
Republicans have promised to slash spending across most
of state government and use the money to
bolster Kentucky's struggling public retirement systems in a budget
proposal that sets up a showdown with House Democrats in an election year.
The Senate
Appropriations and Revenue Committee approved a budget proposal that includes
most of the budget cuts recommended by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. That means
public colleges and universities, state constitutional officers and
public preschool programs will be cut 9 percent over the next two years.
But budget
committee chairman Chris McDaniel said the state cannot invest in its
future if it does not address the problems it faces today.
House
Democrats removed much of Bevin's budget cuts. The two sides say they hope to
have a compromise by next week.
