Investing for the Future
Although there were several good proposals on the table, the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly failed to act in any meaningful way to move Kentucky forward. The FY 2008-2010 budget passed by the state legislature treats Kentucky and Kentuckians irresponsibly. Already Kentuckians are suffering the consequences of increased class sizes, layoffs, compromised health and family security programs, and struggles to afford a college education. See the KEJA Blog for more stories of the sad and sorry effects of our legislators' failures of leadership.
Find out more about real revenue reform
As Kentucky faces its most severe budget crisis, KEJA partners and allies continue to support fair and sensible revenue reform measures that would move Kentucky forward. Introduced in early 2008, House Bill 262 provides solutions to our current problems.
As Kentuckians we know that the foundations of strong communities are quality education, healthy people, and safe surroundings, and we know that our investments in these foundations must be adequate. A tax system that allows each of us to make appropriate private investments toward the public good is essential to moving Kentucky forward.
Unfortunately, Kentucky’s tax system isn’t living up to our expectations. It depends too heavily on working families, who pay a greater percentage of income than the wealthy, and it’s left us facing a budget shortfall of nearly $900 million! Because the tax system doesn't allow us to invest enough in those foundational structures necessary to move Kentucky forward, it erodes public trust in what we’re able to accomplish collectively.
Fair and sensible revenue reforms can move Kentucky forward. Good solutions are available that will strengthen our foundations, address Kentucky’s revenue crisis, make our tax system fairer, and create opportunities for us to move Kentucky forward.
Learn more about moving Kentucky Forward.
On the KEJA Blog
Join the discussion on economic justice, tax and budget issues on the KEJA Blog. Past posts:
**Legal Aid
In Budget Bind
**Fiscal Woes Imperil State’s Justice System
**House Looking at Revenue Enhancing Measures
**EITC Tax Credit for Families Proposed
**Gov. to Students: “Tell Me Where to get Additional Revenue”
**Students to Rally for Higher Education
**County Jails in Jeopardy without More Funding
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Letters in Support of HB262 Published
**Where is the Vision for Our Future? KEJA Has One!
Real Cuts, Real Pain, Real People
Late in 2007 it was reported that Kentucky's Nursing Home Inspectors had been told to pay their own travel expenses due to the state's budget deficit. What is next? Turn off the street lights? Order State Troopers to pay for the gas in their cruisers? Stop inspecting restaurant kitchens and coal mines? Cut out the dinner meal for the elderly in our nursing homes? Empty the prisons?
Structural deficits and inadequate revenue are forcing deep budget cuts in critical programs and increased fees for education, medical care and other services, actions that are harming real people. Find out more about the impact of these actions.
Raising The Bar: Kentucky's Real Budget Report
KEJA study finds Kentucky needs $1.8 billion investment in critical state programs. Read Raising The Bar with comments from grassroots leaders, policy advocates, & the press.
VICTORY: Governor Signs Minimum Wage Bill
Thousands of Kentuckians who earn the minimum wage of $5.15 an hour got a raise in July 2007 to $5.85, with increases to come in 2008 & 2009. KEJA & the KY Raise the Wage Coalition worked throughout the legislative session to build support for this bill, which the Governor signed on 3/22/07. Find out more
This site was last updated on June 23, 2008