On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a measure that was initially intended to close some loopholes and unintended consequences as a result of last year’s hastily passed “revenue bill”, which was passed at the end of the legislative session.
However, House Bill 268 was sponsored by Rep. Steven Rudy, chairperson of the House Appropriations and Revenue committee, did much more than address “fixing” or “closing” loopholes. Most notably, the bill opened up the current state budget and appropriated money for various projects. In an odd year session, legislators can only “open” the budget and appropriate money with minimum of 60 votes. The bill passed 93-6.
Included in HB 268 was the authority for the state to generate $50 million for “improvements” at state parks around the state. This was a very recent request made by Governor Matt Bevin’s administration and the money is to come from the so-called Rainy Day Fund or the Budget Reserve Trust Fund. The question has to be asked…why now? Why make the request now when no such request has been made in the past three years?
The state parks where the improvements are to be made were not listed in the bill. The failure to identify which parks would receive what assistance or improvements prompted former House Speaker Jeff Hoover to remind his colleagues of what happened in 2006. Hoover noted that in the 2006 budget, House and Senate budget conferees agreed to spend $60 million in improvements, maintenance and new construction at certain state parks. Hoover noted that although the specific expenditures were not included in the 2006 budget, members of the legislature were shown a list and had an understanding where the money was going at that time. However, instead of the money going to the state parks, former Governor Ernie Fletcher took the appropriated money and used it at the Kentucky Horse Park. Citing this, the former Speaker said on Thursday he believed the parks slated to receive improvements or projects should be specified in the budget. ITC was shocked then when Hoover, after voicing this concern, still voted in support of the bill.
What does the passage of HB 268 really say? House and Senate leaders have said school safety is their top priority for the 2019 session, and well it should be. However, they have also said there would be no funding this year for the school safety measures which are part of Senate Bill 1, but that funding would hopefully come in next year’s budget session.
So, all of this begs the question…why would the legislature authorize the expenditure of funds in the 2019 non budget session for improvements and maintenance at state parks, but they will not authorize use of the same funds to implement their top priority…school safety? Well, the answer is simple…just wait until this spring and summer and early fall when Governor Bevin travels across Kentucky, makes appearances at various state parks, and announces “funding for improvements and maintenance” at those parks. All prior to the November General Election. Now it all makes sense….re-election is really the top priority.
Inside The Connector 