What would 4% cuts to our public investments mean?

 Teachers have already been laid off, cost-of-living raises have already been denied, the justice system has already been compromised, and the investments that we've needed to make in clean water, clean air, and energy efficiency have been put off yet again.  But given the most recent projections for the budget shortfall--putting it at a whopping $456 million for this year alone--the Governor has asked that public agencies and schools plan for 4% cuts.  What would this mean?

Here's the latest roundup of articles that cover just a handful of our public investments:

Education  -- The cuts are happening all over the state, but this article zooms in on schools around Louisville.  Jefferson County schools are looking at cutting after school programs, six preschool classrooms, bus routes, and 264 jobs.   See the Courier-Journal's "Some school programs in danger" and this slightly more recent follow-up article.

Higher Education --  State colleges and universities are looking at trying to manage another 4% in budget cuts by cutting faculty, student services, and in some cases, capping enrollment.  See the C-J's  "Colleges see grim future under budget cuts".  The community and technical college isn't any better off, forecasting a budget that would cut tenure for new faculty and retirement benefits for new retirees.  So go Kentucky's goals of improving access and quality of higher education, if these cuts are enacted.  Today's Herald-Leader editorial argues for the urgency of properly funding higher education, especially as stagnant incomes for the bulk of Kentuckians are creating a wider divide between those who can and can't access a college degree.   

Justice system and public safety -- Up to 100 people laid off in the commonwealth's attorney's offices, and up to 77 people and up to 77 lay-offs in the county attorney offices.  See the C-J's "Prosecutors warn against more budget cuts" for more info.

And what are the solutions being proposed to stave off this additional round of cuts?  This C-J article suggests that support for the cigarette tax increase is finally making its way to the Senate.  And this more recent article from the H-L reports, as much as it can, on a closed-door meeting among key elected officials.  Once again, thanks to Rep. Moberly, the chair of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, to challenge elected officials to do what is needed for Kentucky.