UK may see more cuts in state funds

By Becca Clemons

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Gov. Steve Beshear proposed his two-year budget before the Legislature in a speech Tuesday night, highlighting his goals to invest more in education across the state. But he delivered bad news in the form of 2.5 percent operating cuts to the state’s universities and community colleges.

Cuts to Kentucky’s institutions of higher education will have totaled 17 percent since the start of the recession in 2007 and 2008, Beshear said. Although the 2.5 percent cuts are less than the 5 percent seen by many other state agencies, they put additional strains on universities and students who saw a 3 percent in-state tuition hike in the past year and 6 percent hikes in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Beshear said his speech’s education focus “should surprise no one.” He said he was prepared to make cuts in order to invest more in education.

“That’s precisely what this two-year budget proposal does: It makes damaging cuts in many areas in order to keep Kentucky at the forefront of educational attainment in this nation,” Beshear said.

He conceded that the higher education cuts came at the expense of more pre-K through 12th grade investment.

“This was one of the most difficult choices made in the budget because higher education deserves more support, not less,” he said.

Beshear’s proposal does, however, include plans to invest $520 million in construction projects at all four-year Kentucky universities. It also authorizes the use of $704 million in agency bonds, which are paid for by the universities or through partnerships, to fund university projects, including a law school renovation for UK.

UK has asked for state bonds for a new science research facility and a portion of an expanded College of Law. With legislative approval, it plans to fund a Student Center expansion, renovations to the medical center, and a new parking garage with agency bonds.

Beshear’s proposal also asks for $65 million in state general fund bonds to put toward a renovation of the Lexington Convention Center and Rupp Arena.

The General Assembly has until April 15 to approve the budget in advance of the new fiscal year, which begins July 1.